4.2.1 methodologies Flashcards
(28 cards)
define what is meant by a lab experiment. (4)
1) conducted under control, artificial conditions
2) researcher manipulates the IV whilst measuring DV
3) conducted in both experimental + control conditions
4) researcher randomly allocates participants to experimental or control conditions
define the term ‘quasi-experiment’. (2)
an experiment conducted in a controlled or natural environment (1)
where the
independent variable is not manipulated by the researcher (2).
define the term ‘field-experiment’. (3)
1) conducted in a natural environment.
2) IV is still manipulated by the researcher and the DV is still measured.
3) participants are unaware that they are being researched.
evaluate the strengths of a field experiment (2).
- high in ecological validity.
*fewer demand characteristics
evaluate the weaknesses of a field experiment (2).
*unethical: participants are unaware of the
research.
* extraneous variables affect results.
evaluate the weaknesses of a lab experiment (2).
*problems of demand characteristics.
*low ecological validity.
evaluate the strengths of a lab experiment (2)
- high level of control; can infer that the IV
caused the DV. - easy to replicate so that reliability can be
checked
evaluate the strengths of a quasi-experiment (2)
- 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, such as the effects of a disaster
on health, which can help more people in
more situations (mr).
- cannot demonstrate causal relationships
, 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
define what is meant by a participant observation . (2)
*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.
evaluate the strengths of a participant observation . (2)
- less chance of demand characteristics.
- enables research of people who would
otherwise be very difficult to observe.
evaluate the weaknesses of a participant observation . (2)
- observer bias may occur.
- unreliable findings because it is difficult
to take notes during the observation; data
relies on memory
define what is meant by a non-participant observation. (2)
*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
evaluate the strengths of a non-participant observation . (2)
- less chance of observer bias.
- researchers can see how participants
behave rather than relying on self-reports;
may produce more valid and reliable
findings
evaluate the weaknesses of a non-participant observation . (2)
*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.
define what is meant by content analysis (4).
- 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
evaluate the strengths of content analysis. (2)
- 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.
evaluate the weaknesses of content analysis. (2)
- observer bias can affect validity of
findings; different observers might
interpret the meanings of the categories in
the coding system differently. - cannot draw cause + effect relationships
bc the origin of the artefacts is
usually unknown
define what is meant by a structured interview. (2)
- the interviewer has a pre-prepared, pre-determined, set of
questions that are asked in a fixed order, 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
define what is meant by a semi-structured interview. (2)
- begins with a general aim and a few
pre-determined questions but subsequent questions develop based on, and in response to,
the answers given by the participant. - sometimes called a clinical interview akin to the kind
of interview had w. a doctor
identify the differences between semi-structured and structured interview (2).
1) semi-structured has some pre-determined questions but develops answers based on the participant response, whereas structured interviews ask questions in a fixed order to elicit fixed verbal responses
2) S doesn’t allow for ‘spontaneous questions’,
meaning the interviewer is less
responsive to the participant, whereas S-S gives participants
the opportunity to fully express their true
feelings
evaluate the strengths of a structured interview. (2)
- the same questions are used every time , results easy to analyse.
- replicable, so more externally reliable because the
same questions can be asked in the same
way
evaluate the weaknesses of a structured interview. (2)
- 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 -> discourage authenticity + feel more hostile
define what is meant by a questionnaire. (2)
- a set of written questions where answers are
analysed by the researcher.
*questionnaires can produce quantitative or qualitative data, or a
mixture of both.
