2.2.1 Methodologies Flashcards
- experiments (lab,field) - quasi experiments - non-participant obvs - content analysisi - strcutured interveiws/questionaire - semi-structures interveiws (28 cards)
What is a Lab Experiment
A lab exp. is conducted under controlled, artificial conditions.
- Researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) whilst measuring the dependent variable (DV)
- Conducted under both experimental and a control conditions
- Researcher randomly allocates participants to experimental or
control conditions
2 Strengths of LAB EXP.
- High level of control; can infer that the IV caused the DV
- Easy to replicate so that reliability can be checked
2 Weaknesses of LAB EXP.
- Problems of demand characteristics.
- Low ecological validity
What is a Field Experiment
conducted in a natural environment
- IV is still manipulated by the researcher and the DV is still measured.
- Participants are unaware that they are being researched
2 Strengts of a FIELD EXP.
- High in ecological validity.
- Fewer demand characteristics.
2 Weaknesses of a FIELD EXP.
- Unethical: participants are unaware of the research.
- Extraneous variables affect results
What is a Quasi Experiment
A quasi-experiment is not a ‘true’ experiment because the
researcher has not deliberately manipulated an IV, and participants
are not randomly allocated to an experimental or a control
condition
what is a Natural Experiment
A natural experiment is when a research does not deliberately
manipulate an IV, they take advantage of a ‘naturally occurring’ IV.
The DV of a natural experiment may be tested in a laboratory, in the
field or online
2 strengths of QUASI/NATURAL EXP.
- Allows research where the IV can’t be manipulated for practical or ethical reasons; a range of behaviours can be investigated
- Allows researchers to investigate ‘real’ problems
e.g effects of a disaster on health, which can help more people in more situations
2 weaknesses of QUASI/NATURAL EXP.
- Cannot demonstrate causal relationships because the IV isn’t manipulated directly so we cannot be sure that the IV caused the DV
- Threat to internal validity due to there being less control of extraneous variables that could be the reason for the DV rather than the IV
what is a Participant Observation
The researcher takes part in the research, joining in with those
being observed
The researcher becomes part of the group and does not reveal who
they are
2 strengths of PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS
- Less chance of demand characteristics.
- Enables research of people who would otherwise be very difficult to observe
2 weaknesses of PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS
- Observer bias may occur.
- Unreliable findings because it is difficult to take notes during the observation > data relies on memory
what is a Non-participant Observation
The observer doesn’t take part in the action, but instead watches
and makes notes from a distance
The participants are not aware that they are being observed
2 strengths of NON-PTP OBSERVATION
- Less chance of observer bias
- Researchers can see how participants behave rather than relying on self-reports > may produce more valid and reliable findings
2 weaknesses of NON-PTP OBSERVATION
- Observer bias: it is difficult to make judgments on thoughts and feelings of participants when they are being watched
- Unethical because participants do not always know they are being observed
what is Content Analysis
a type of observational study.
- Written or verbal material such as magazines, television programmes, websites, advertisements etc. are analysed.
- The sample is the artefact(s) being analysed.
- The researcher has to create a coding system, which breaks down the information into categories and a tally is taken each time the material fits a theme
2 strengths of CONTENT ANALYSIS
- The artefacts being analysed already exist, so less chance of demand characteristics.
- Can be replicated by others as long as the artefacts are available to other people
2 weaknesses of CONTENT ANALYSIS
- Observer bias can affect validity of findings; different observers might interpret the meanings of the categories in the coding system differently
- Cannot draw cause and effect relationships because the origin of the artefacts is usually unknown
What is a Structured Interview
The interviewer has a pre-prepared set of questions that are asked in a fixed order.
- Pre-determined questions are used to elicit a verbal response.
- Similar to a questionnaire that is answered by participants either face-to-face or over the telephone with the interviewer, there is no deviation from the original questions
2 strengths of STRUCTURED INTERVEIWS
- The same questions are used every time which makes results easy to analyse.
- Replicable, so more reliable because the same questions can be asked in the same way
2 weaknesses of STRUCTURED INTERVEIWS
- Can be restrictive because there is no chance to ask further questions.
- Doesn’t allow for ‘spontaneous questions’, which may mean the interviewer is less responsive to the participant
What is a Questionaire
A set of written questions where answers are analysed by the researcher.
- Questionnaires can produce quantitative or qualitative data or a mixture of both.
- Traditionally they have been paper/pen based, but more recently psychologists are using on-line options
2 strengths of QUESTIONAIRES
- Can be used to assess psychological variables that may not be obvious by just observing someone.
- Data can be collected from a large group of participants more quickly than interviewing them
