Criminological- Research Methods & Ethics Flashcards
Give the main features of lab-based experiments and describe how they are used in criminological psychology
Experiments conducted in a controlled setting that allow the researcher to deliberately manipulate the IV and control extraneous variables
In Criminological psychology, such studies often involve a simulation of a ‘crime’ or event in an artificial lab setting. Often this involves watch a film. The studies have similar designs:
•The IV is manipulated to investigate the influence of certain factor on the memory and testimony of eyewitness e.g. the presence or not of weapons.
The DV is the recall of detail about the crime or recognition of the criminal. This is measured quantitatively.
• Extraneous variables such as the presence of other witnesses are all careful controlled so that they do not influence the outcomes.
Give an example of lab experiments in eyewitness testimony research
Strengths of lab experiments: Write a P.E.E.C. in relation to EWT
P: A strength of using lab experiments whilst researching EWT is that they are high in reliability
E: This is a strength as it means research can be replicated in a consistent way to produce similar findings.
E: For example the use of a standardised questionnaire in Loftus & Palmer means extraneous variables are controlled and reliability increases.
C: Furthermore high reliability also gives EWT scientific credibility as reliability is a characteristic of science.
Weaknesses of lab experiments (write a P.E.E.C. in relation to EWT)
P: A weakness of using lab experiments whilst researching EWT is generalisability to real life is low.
E: This is because lab experiments are conducted in a controlled setting which lacks mundane realism so finding may not generalise to real life.
E: For example Loftus & Palmer’s experiment were both conducted in a lab experiment were the car crashes were artificial video clips these would not have the same emotional impact as real life.
C: However using controlled environments allow cause and effect links to be established increasing validity.
Identify one difference and one similarity between field and lab experiments
•In field experiments research is conducted in its natural environment where as in lab experiments the setting is controlled.
•Both are measuring and manipulating an DV and IV
Give an example of field experiments in EWT
Strengths of field experiments (in relation to EWT)
P: A strength of using field experiments when researching EWT is that they a more generalisable to real life.
E: This is because field experiments occur in their natural environment and capture naturally occurring behaviour increasing generalisability.
E: For example Valentine & Mesout found the experience of stress in naturalistic environments had a negative influence on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
C: Futhermore these similar findings to those found in a lab help support the validity of lab based studies in this field.
Write a P. E.E.C. in relation to weaknesses of field experiments (in relation to EWT)
P: A limitation of field experiments in EWT research is they are low in reliability.
E: This is because the lack of control over the environment make extraneous variables difficult to control and research difficult to replicate.
E: For example in Morgan et al (2004) to replicate the prison war camp will be impossible due to ethical concerns
C: Furthermore the lack of control of extraneous variables reduces validity as they could become confounding variables impacting the DV
Give an example of a case study used in EWT
Strength and weakness of case studies when researching EWT
Describe the ethical issue of protection of participants in relation to EWT
Eyewitnesses who see real-life crime can become more distressed and it would be unethical to expose someone to this for an experiment. Watching a crime in a film clip would be less distressing than seeing it in reality. Lab experiments have greatest protection of participants as the event is artificial.
Describe the ethical issue of Deception and Consent in relation to EWT
Deception may be used to reduce demand characteristics and increase validity. If deception is used there is a lack of informed contest as Ps don’t know what the study is about and are not fully aware of the consequences. Debriefing is needed once research is complete.
Describe the ethical issue of Right to Withdraw in relation to EWT
Less of an issue in field experiments as the situation is likely to occur in their everyday lives. However lab and case studies should always offer the right to withdraw.
Evaluate the research methods used in assessing the accuracy of eyewitness testimony
