1.1 Research Methods

Question 1

Define laboratory experiments

Answer 1

Laboratory experiments don’t have to be carried out in a laboratory. However, any experiment that is carried out in a highly controlled environment is classed as a laboratory experiment.

Question 2

Advantages and disadvantages of a laboratory experiment

Answer 2

Advantages -
We can usually see that the IV has caused the alteration in the DV.
Conducted in a well controlled environment so is very accurate.

Disadvantages -
Lacks ecological validity.
May not be possible to generalise the findings to a real life setting.

Question 3

Define field experiments

Answer 3

They are conducted in the everyday environment for the participants taking part.

Question 4

Advantages and disadvantages of a field experiment

Answer 4

Advantages -
They are more likely to reflect real life due to the natural setting (higher ecological validity).

Disadvantages -
There is less control over variables so makes them difficult to be replicated by other researchers.

Question 5

Define quasi experiments

Answer 5

An experiment in which the independent variable changes naturally.

Question 6

Advantages and disadvantages of a quasi experiment

Answer 6

Advantages -
Useful for studies where changing the IV would be unethical.

Disadvantages -
We cannot be 100% certain that the IV has caused any change to the DV.

Question 7

Define structured observation

Answer 7

Only studying one specific thing or certain behaviours when in an observation.

Question 8

Advantages and disadvantages of a structured observation

Answer 8

Advantages -
Factors that the researcher is studying can be easily identified.

Disadvantages -
Could miss other important factors as the observation is only focused on observing certain things/behaviours.

Question 9

Define unstructured observation

Answer 9

An observation where all behaviours are recorded.

Question 10

Advantages and disadvantages of an unstructured observation

Answer 10

Advantages -
All behaviour is recorded so more information is gathered

Disadvantages -
Doesn’t show cause and effect

Question 11

Define controlled observation

Answer 11

An observation that is not in a natural environment for the participants.

Question 12

Advantages and disadvantages of a controlled observation

Answer 12

Advantages -
Better control of variables.
Easier to establish cause and effect.

Disadvantages -
Low ecological validity as it is not in a natural environment.

Question 13

Define naturalistic observation

Answer 13

People or animals are observed in their natural environment without any sort of intervention or manipulation of variables.

Question 14

Advantages and disadvantages of a naturalistic observation

Answer 14

Advantages -
Higher ecological validity as people are in their natural environment.

Disadvantages -
Would be harder to control the observation.
May be unethical to observe without consent.

Question 15

Define non-participant observation

Answer 15

An observation where the researcher doesn’t take part.

Question 16

Advantages and disadvantages of non-participant observation

Answer 16

Advantages -
Higher ecological validity.

Disadvantages -
No control over variables so it’s hard to identify cause and effect.

Question 17

Define participant observation

Answer 17

Observation where the researcher is involved in the research.

Question 18

Advantages and disadvantages of a participant observation

Answer 18

Advantages -
The experimenter gets a better understanding and can ask questions and speak to participants.

Disadvantages -
May be less reliable as participants probably won’t act naturally.

Question 19

Define covert observation

Answer 19

Observing when the researcher is undercover in the research (participant-covert observation).

Question 20

Advantages and disadvantages of a covert observation

Answer 20

Advantages -
Results will be more accurate as the participants don’t know they’re being observed.

Disadvantages -
Unethical as you are observing without permission.

Question 21

Define overt observation

Answer 21

Observing when the participants know they are being studied.

Question 22

Advantages and disadvantages of an overt observation

Answer 22

Advantages -
The participants know they are being observed so they aren’t being deceived.

Disadvantages -
Participants may act differently because they know about the observation - researcher effects etc.

Question 23

Define questionnaires

Answer 23

Questionnaires can be thought of as a kind of written interview. They can be carried out face to face, by telephone or post.

Question 24

Advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires

Answer 24

Advantages -
Cheap, quick and easy to get information from a large group of people.

Disadvantages -
Low response rates.

Question 25

Define structured interviews

Answer 25

An interview that consists of a set of prepared questions that have to be stuck to.

Question 26

Advantages and disadvantages of a structured interview

Answer 26

Advantages -
Can be easily repeated.
Questions are prepared ahead of time.

Disadvantages -
They’re not flexible so the researcher may not be able to get as much information as possible.
Can’t guarantee the honestly of participants.

Question 27

Define semi-structured interviews

Answer 27

An interview that has a set of prepared questions, however the researcher can ask more questions when they feel appropriate.

Question 28

Advantages and disadvantages of a semi-structured interview

Answer 28

Advantages -
Questions can be prepared ahead of time.

Disadvantages -
Difficult to compare answers with other participants.
Can’t guarantee the honesty of participants.

Question 29

Define unstructured interviews

Answer 29

An interview in which there is no specific set of predetermined questions. The interview flows like a normal conversation.

Question 30

Advantages and disadvantages of an unstructured interview

Answer 30

Advantages -
Questions can be adapted and changed depending on the interviewees response which can give more information.
Increased validity as the interviewer can ask for clarification.

Disadvantages -
In can be time consuming to conduct the interview as well as compare results.

Question 31

Which research methods show cause and effect?

Answer 31

Laboratory experiment, field experiment and quasi experiment as they all have an IV and a DV.

Question 32

Define objective

Answer 32

Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

Question 33

Define subjective

Answer 33

Influenced by personal feelings or opinions.