Key terminology- research methods Flashcards

Question

What is a Quasi-experiment?

Answer 1

A study that is almost an experiment but lacks key ingredients. The IV has not been determined by anyone (the researcher or any other person)- the 'variables' simply exist, such as being old or young. Strictly speaking, this is not an experiment. DV may be naturally occurring or devised by the experimenter and measured in the field or a lab

Answer 2

In the context of sampling, when certain groups are over- or under- represented within the sample selected. For instance, there may be too many young people or too many people of one ethnic origin in a sample. This limits the extent to which generalisations can be made to the target population

Answer 3

The method used to select people from the population

Answer 4

A group of people who are the focus of the researcher's interest, from which a smaller sample is drawn

Answer 5

A group of people who take part in a research investigation. The sample is drawn from a target population and is presumed to be representative of that population, i.e. it stands 'fairly' for the population being studied

Answer 6

The extent to which findings and conclusions from a particular investigation can be broadly applied to the population. This is possible if the sample of participants is representative of the target population

Answer 7

A subset of the general population

Answer 8

random sample, systematic sample stratified sample, opportunity sample volunteer sample

Answer 9

A sophisticated form of sampling in which all members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected

Answer 10

When every nth member of the target population is selected (e.g. every 3rd house on a street or every 5th pupil on a school register)

Answer 11

A sophisticated form of sampling in which the composition of the sample reflects the proportions of people in certain subgroups (strata) within the target population or the wider population

Answer 12

Given that representative samples of the target population are so difficult to obtain, many researchers simply decide to select anyone who happens to be willing and available. The researcher simply takes the chance to ask whoever is around at the time of their study (e.g. in the street as in the case of market research)

Answer 13

This involves participants selecting themselves to be part of the sample

Answer 14

A quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological Society (BPS) that instructs psychologists in the UK about what behaviour is and is not acceptable when dealing with participants. The code is built around four major principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity

Answer 15

These arise when a conflict exists between the rights of participants in research studies and the goals of research to produce authentic, valid and worthwhile data

Answer 16

Informed consent, deception, protection from harm, privacy and confidentiality

Answer 17

This involves making participants aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights (including the right to withdraw partway through the investigation), and also what their data will be used for. Participants should then make an informed judgement whether or not to take part without being coerced or feeling obliged

Answer 18

Deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants at any stage of the investigation There are times when this can be seen as acceptable e.g.

Answer 19

Participants should not be placed at any more risk than they would be in their daily lives and should be protected from physical and psychological harm

Answer 20

Participants have the right to control information about themselves. This is the right of privacy. This extends to the area where the study took place such that institutions or geographical locations are not named. If this is invaded then confidentiality should be protected Confidentiality refers to our right, enshrined in law under the Data Protection Act, to have any personal data protected

Answer 21

Presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent

Answer 22

Rather than getting consent from the participants themselves, a similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable. If the group agrees, then consent of the original participants is presumed

Answer 23

Participants give their permission to take part in a number of different studies- including one that will involve deception. By consenting, participants are effectively consenting to being deceived

Answer 24

A small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted.

Answer 25

Interviews, questionnaires

Answer 26

Neither participants nor the researcher who conducts study is aware of the aims of the investigation (often a third party conducts the investigation without knowing its main purpose

Answer 27

Participants are not aware of the aims of the investigation but the researcher who conducts the study is

Answer 28

The group that receives the real drug

Answer 29

The group that receives the placebo

Answer 30

Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur

Answer 31

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment, i.e. one where some variables are managed

Answer 32

Participants' behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent Such behaviour must be public and happening anyway if the observation is to be ethical

Answer 33

Participants' behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and informed consent beforehand

Answer 34

The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording Produces a first hand account

Answer 35

The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording. This is in a more objective manner

Answer 36

One important non-experimental method It is often used within an experiment as a way. for example, of assessing the dependent variable

Answer 37

One important non-experimental method It is often used within an experiment as a way. for example, of assessing the dependent variable

Answer 38

A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs

Answer 39

A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame, say, every 60 seconds

Answer 40

When the researcher writes down everything they see. This tends to produce accounts of behaviour that are rich in detail

Answer 41

Structured observation and unstructured observation

Answer 42

Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviours and/or experiences related to a given topic

Answer 43

Likert scales, rating scales, fixed-choice option

Answer 44

Participants are asked for their consent (during debriefing) having already taken part in the study. They may not have been aware of their participation or they may have been subject to deception

Key terminology- research methods Flashcards

(136 cards)