booklet 2 pt2 Flashcards
(37 cards)
What type of data does case studies collect?
Qualitative.
Give 2 strengths of case studies
-Allows us to study rare behavior, psychologists can analyse data they have little understanding of, providing more in-depth research.
-No manipulation and occurs in real-world setting>increases validity
Give 2 weaknesses of case studies
-Low generalisability: only studying one individual, unique characteristics does not apply to everyone else, cannot be generalised to the wider population>decreases external validity.
-Cannot be replicated>decreases validity.
What is the difference between the population and the sample in a study?
Population=target group of people the researcher is studying
Sample=group of people selected to take part in the study, drawn from the target population.
What are the 5 different ways of collecting a sample?
-Random
-Systematic
-Stratisfied
-Opportunity
-Volunteer
What is random sampling? E.g?
Each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
E.g. picking names from a hat.
What is systematic sampling? E.g?
A ppt is selected in a systematic way.
‘nth term’
E.g. selecting every 10th person
What is stratisfied sampling? E.g?
The make-up of the sample reflects the make-up of the target population.
*(ratios)
E.g. if theres more female than male teachers, there should be more female ppts.
*in a sample of 20 where 60% teachers are female=12 female teachers, 8 male teachers.
What is opportunity sampling? E.g?
Ppts are selected from whoever is most easily available.
E.g. standing on a street and approaching passers-by to see if they want to take part.
What is volunteer sampling? E.g?
Ppts put themselves foward to take part in a study.
E.g. an advert is placed asking for volunteers, and ppl respond aggreeing to take part.
What are the steps in carrying out random sampling? (3)
- Collect all names of potential ppts
- Put all the names of ppts into a hat
- Pull the names out of hat until the sampling frame is complete
What are the steps in carrying out systematic sampling? (3)
- List every member of the population in ORDER e.g. alphabetical
- Assign every population member a number
- Chose the nth (e.g. every 4th person in list) person until sample is complete
What are the steps in carrying out stratified sampling? (4)
- Identify sub-groups in their population
- Calculate the required proportion from each sub group based on the proportion in the population
- Select sample at random from each sub-group
What are the steps in carrying out opportunity sampling? (2)
- Stand in a convenient place e.g. streets
- When someone who ‘fits the bill’ walks past, ask them to participate in the study
What are the steps in carrying out volunteer sampling? (3)
- Place a poster in a convenient setting e.g. school
- On the poster include sign up details
- The first x amount to sign up participate in the study.
Which sampling methods are the most representative? Why
Which ones are the least?
Stratisfied, random, systematic=free from bias>representative
Opportunity and volunteer
Give a strength and weakness of volunteer sampling.
S: Quick and easy, minimal effort from the researcher as ppts approach the researcher.
W: Bias, particular ppl will see the advert>particular type of person likely puts themselves foward.
Give a strength and weakness of opportunity sampling.
S: Quick and easy, minimal effort from researcher, saves money.
W: Bias, sample is drawn from a specific location.
Additionally, researcher bias, researcher has complete control over who they approach.
Give a strength and weakness of stratisfied sampling.
S: Free from researcher bias, sample is generated randomly once the subcategories have been identified.
W: Difficult and time-consuming, ensuring that the sub-groups in target population are all accurately identified.
Give a strength and weakness of systematic sampling.
S: Free from researcher bias, researcher is not selecting ppts by choice.
W: May not truly be unbiased, every nth person may have a particular characteristic in common.
Give a strength and weakness of random sampling.
S: Free from researcher bias, names are generated from a hat or computer.
W: Difficult and time consuming, ensuring that everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
*sample evaluation
If a sample is biassed, it is therefore not…?
This makes it harder to…the findings?
Representative
Generalise
*(this work vv for non-biassed samples)
What is content analysis?
Give an example of when content analysis could be used
-A research tool used to indirectly observe the presence of certain words, images or concpets within the media e.g. books, films.
-E.g. to study sex-role stereotyping
What type of data is content analysis usually carried out on?
What type of data does content analysis collect? Why?
Secondary data (already published)
Quantitative, content analysis is often written word or transcripts (qualitative) but gets transformed into numerical data e.g. tallys
