(BRB) social and cognitive psychology (PP2)

Question 1

what are some experimental methods

Answer 1

lab experiments and field experiments

Question 2

what are some non-experimental methods

Answer 2

observations, questionaries and interviews and case studies

Question 3

what is the fundamental difference between the experimental method and non-experimental method

Answer 3

• the amount o control variables used

Question 4

define a questionnaire

Answer 4

• a self report data collection method consisting of a series of carefully structured questions given to participants in a standardised manner

Question 5

what are the principles of a questionnaire design

Answer 5

• all questions are valid and objective
• fit for purpose (to the point)
• filler questions
• sequence of questions
• standardised procedures
• pilot studies
• ethical issues (low levels of deception may be necessary)

Question 6

what are leading questions in a questionnaire

Answer 6

• questions where the correct answer is prompted

Question 7

what are socially desirable answers in a questionnaire

Answer 7

• where the respondents give an answer that reflects what they think they ought to say to present themselves in a positive light

Question 8

what are open questions

Answer 8

• allow respondents to express themselves freely in their own words and without constraints (usually qualitative data)

Question 9

what are closed questions

Answer 9

• give the participants a set range of answers to choose from, also known as fixed questions
• (usually quantitative data)

Question 10

what is a likert scale

Answer 10

• allows people to show how much they agree of disagree with a statement

Question 11

what is a ranked scale item

Answer 11

• participants asked to give a number to represent their views

Question 12

what is split half method

Answer 12

• establishes internal reliability
• the set of questions are split in half (randomly) and have cores from each half compared

Question 13

what is sematic difference scale

Answer 13

• people are asked to place a mark on a line to represent their feelings/opinions

Question 14

what are the strengths of questionnaires

Answer 14

• high reliability because standardised procedures are used, the test retest method can be used establish reliability
• the standardised procedures act as controls for extraneous variables
• the researcher does not need to be present to administer the questionnaire which means people could be more willing to be truthful
• larger amount of data can be collected cheaply and quickly

Question 15

what are the weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 15

• often use closed questions which limits validity as participants have no opportunity to express their full ideas
• if the purpose of the questionnaire is obvious then demand characteristics can cause socially desirable answers
• participants may misunderstand questions which limits validity

Question 16

define what interviews are and why they might be used

Answer 16

face to face verbal questioning of the participant
- will be used when a lot of detail is needed on the topic

Question 17

what are the different types of interviews

Answer 17

• structured interviews
• unstructured interviews
• semi-structured interviews

Question 18

what are structured interviews

Answer 18

• predetermined questions given in a set order
• usually use closed questions and quantitative data is collected
• usually standardised

Question 19

what are unstructured interviews

Answer 19

• questions are not in a set format
• informal in atmosphere and non-directive
• researchers may have a set topic area but the exact phrasing of the questions is left to the interviewer
• usually open questions and qualitative data

Question 20

what are semi-structured interviews

Answer 20

• set questions but some will allow the interviewer more chance to explore the answers further
• quant and qual data

Question 21

what is good practise in interviews

Answer 21

• important that the interviewee feels at ease and understands the questions being asked
• important the interviewer establishes rapport which includes responding to non- verbal communication and good listening skills
• avoid leading questions

Question 22

can cause and effect be established with an interview

Answer 22

• no as there is no way to control all the variables

Question 23

define what thematic analysis is

Answer 23

• technique used for the analysis of qual data - identifying and addressing patterns in qual data allowing conclusions to be drawn

Question 24

what are the 6 steps of thematic analysis in order

Answer 24

• 1) familiarisation with the data
• 2) coding
• 3) searching for themes
• 4) reviewing themes
• 5) defining and naming themes
• 6) writing up

Question 25

what are the strengths of thematic analysis

Answer 25

- the data remains rich and qualitative when identifying themes - reduction of large amounts of qual data into manageable summary allowing conclusions to be drawn - validity remains high

Question 26

what are the weaknesses of thematic analysis

Answer 26

- researcher might have themes in mind when they do the initial coding so the themes may come from the researcher instead of the data, reducing validity - reliability is also affected by this - time consuming and a very highly skilled task

Question 27

whats the difference between experimental methods and experimental designs

Answer 27

- methods are concerned with the overall type of experiment and design is concerned with how we allocate participants

Question 28

what is the single blind

Answer 28

- a control for demand characteristics - participants do not know the aim of the experiment so they dont change their behaviour - low levels of deception are necessary

Question 29

what is the double blind

Answer 29

- a control for demand characteristics and experimenter effects - participants and experimenters do not know the aim of the study

Question 30

what is the experimental condition

Answer 30

- participants experience the main condition of the IV

Question 31

what is the control condition

Answer 31

- condition that gives the researcher a baseline for comparison

Question 32

what are the 3 experimental designs

Answer 32

- independent groups - repeated measures - matched pairs

Question 33

define independent groups

Answer 33

- different participants for each section

Question 34

define repeated measures

Answer 34

- same participants for each section

Question 35

define matched pairs

Answer 35

- different participants in each section but same for more important IV

Question 36

advantages of independent groups

Answer 36

- no order effects - less demand characteristics - same test for both conditions

Question 37

advantages of repeated measures

Answer 37

- participant variables are constant - fewer participants required

Question 38

advantages of matched pairs

Answer 38

- participant variables controlled - no order effects - demand characteristics controlled - same test for both conditions

Question 39

disadvantages of independent groups

Answer 39

- participant variables may affect the results - more participants required

Question 40

disadvantages of repeated measures

Answer 40

- demand characteristics may be more obvious - order effects may confound results - different but equivalent tasks may need to be designed for each

Question 41

disadvantages of matched pairs

Answer 41

- matching participants is difficult (perfectly) - process may be biased to experimenter effects - more participants are required - attrition may occur which means you lose data from both participant