Methodologies/ Research Methods

Question 1

Lab experiment: definition

Answer 1

Highly controlled environment, where extraneous variables can be under researchers control.

Question 2

Lab experiment: strengths

Answer 2

+ Labs allow researchers to measure variables more easily, and control makes it easier to replicate

+ Allows for use of immobile equipment such as PET scans in Raine et al.

Question 3

Lab experiment: weaknesses

Answer 3

• labs may cause participant to demonstrate artificial behaviour due to a social desirability bias.
• Some cannot be researched within a lab.

Question 4

Field experiment: definition

Answer 4

Outside lab in participants natural setting. Shopping centre, hospital. Researcher goes to participants.

Question 5

Field experiment: strengths

Answer 5

+ Useful in minimising artificial aspect of research

+ allows examination of behaviour in large range of contexts.

Question 6

Field experiment: weaknesses

Answer 6

• more difficult to measure variables and control extraneous variables.

-

Question 7

Quasi experiment: definition

Answer 7

2 kinds, those with IV (natural experments) and without IV (difference studies).

Natural experiments: conducted when not possible to directly manipulate the IV. The IV varies ‘naturally’.

Difference studies: Key feature is that IV has not been made to vary by anyone, simply exists. An example is gender.

Question 8

Quasi experiment: strengths

Answer 8

+ studying naturally occurring difference e.g. Raine et al. (1997) examined brain activity in murderers pleading NGRI compared to non-murderers. The study used naturally occurring groups rather than randomly assigning participants, making it ethically viable.

Question 9

Quasi experiment: weaknesses

Answer 9

• lack of control makes it difficult to identify causal relationship.
• Independent groups design not possible so may be biases.
• unique characteristics of sample will mean it lacks population validity.

Question 10

Observation: Participant vs Nonparticipant

Answer 10

No participant where observer watches participants from outside study. Participant is where observer is within group being observed.

Question 11

Structured observation: definition

Answer 11

Objective and rigorous, using behavioural categories and sampling.

Behavioural categories: deciding how to categories different behaviours by Operationalisation.

Sampling procedures: event sampling is where number of times certain behaviour (event) occurs within given time frame. Time sampling is where behaviour is recorded every 30 seconds or so on.

Question 12

Unstructured observation: definition

Answer 12

All information is recorded qualitatively but with no system. Usually not practical as too much info to record.

Question 13

Observation: evaluation (general)

Answer 13

what people say they do and what they really do varies widely.
can capture spontaneous behaviour.
issue of observer bias as it is difficult to be objective, defecting validity.

Question 14

Observation: evaluation (participant & non participant) 2

Answer 14

Non participant more likely to be objective, though participant offers greater insight.
Participants observations likely more overt, social desirability bias, so demand characteristics.
Though when covert introduces ethical concern of deception and consent.

Question 15

Observation: evaluation (sampling procedures) 3

Answer 15

Both make more manageable.

Event useful when recorded behaviour happens occasionally, time when continuous. Time could miss important moments.

Question 16

Questionnaire: definition

Answer 16

Set of written questions to collect info. Allow researcher to see what people think and feel rather than guessing through behaviour.

Question 17

Structured interview: definition

Answer 17

Has predetermined questions, with no deviation. Conducted in real time.

Question 18

Semi structured interview: definition

Answer 18

General aims and few predetermined questions, with more developed over course of interview.

Question 19

Self report technique: strengths

Answer 19

+ allows expression of thoughts and feelings

+ more in depth

Question 20

Self report techniques: weaknesses

Answer 20

• Risks social desirability bias.
• lacks validity as it requires participants to understand their thoughts and feelings

Question 21

Questionnaire: strengths

Answer 21

+ may be more willing to reveal personal information than in an interview.

+ Impersonal nature may reduce social desirability bias risk.

+ Easy for participants to complete.

Question 22

Questionnaire: weaknesses

Answer 22

• data only collected from those who can read and write
• take a lot of time to design.

Question 23

Structured interview: strengths

Answer 23

+ Can be easily replicated because questions are standardised

+ easier to analyse

Question 24

Semi structured interview: strengths

Answer 24

+ more detailed info available as it can be tailored.

Question 25

Structured interview: weaknesses

Answer 25

- comparability more difficult as heavily relies on interviewers behaviour maintaining behaviour, so lower reliability - all interviews affected by interviewer bias, as their expectations may influence.

Question 26

Semi structured interview: weaknesses

Answer 26

- enquire greater skill from interviewer as they have to develop new questions, which may lack objectivity. - more expensive due to specialist interviewers.

Question 27

Correlational studies: definition

Answer 27

Correlation is systematic association between 2 continuous variables. Can be negative or positive, and no correlation means no link between the variables. In experiment IV is manipulated, but in Correlational, no changes are made, they are simply measured. Cause and effect relationship cannot be established

Question 28

Correlational coefficient: definition

Question 29

Correlational studies: strengths

Answer 29

+ Helps investigate trends in data + can be easily replicated to confirm findings

Question 30

Correlational studies: weaknesses

Answer 30

- can lead people to jump to causal conclusions, forming incorrect programmes for improvement. - Intervening variables must be considered as they can explain the correlation between the co variables. - may lack both internal and external validity, reducing generalisability.

Question 31

Content analysis: definition

Answer 31

A form of indirect observation, observing through artefacts they produce. Similar to observational studies as researcher must decide on sampling method, behavioura categories, and whether quants give or qualitative data should be collected. E.g. Cumberbatch & Gaunlett conducted content analysis on top 10 programmes watched. By 10-15 year olds in UK, finding only 4% contained no reference of smoking, alcohol, or drug abusd. Alcohol/smoking portrayed neutral, drug portrayed negatively.

Question 32

Content analysis: evaluate

Answer 32

+ high ecological validity as it is based on observations from real world + when sources can be retained, it is easily replicable - observer bias reduces objectivity and therefore validity.

Question 33

Case studies: definition

Answer 33

Detailed study of single individual, institution, or event. Gathers information from a range of sources. Findings organised to represent individual’s thoughts, emotions, experiences, and abilities. Generally longitudinal, extended period of time.

Question 34

Case studies: evaluation

Answer 34

+ rich indepth data which can be analysed + Usedful in investigating human behaviour especially regarding rare experiences, e.g. response to London riots of 2011. + complex interaction of many factors is considered, rather than reducing to impact between 2 variables. - difficult to generalise - Case studies usually occur after event, so cannot determine if apparent changes already existed

Question 35

Primary data: all

Answer 35

Data collected through first hand experience. Designing study, gaining ethical approval, pilot study, participants, analysing data and drawing conclusion. + Researcher has control and can design to fit their aims - lengthy and expensive process.

Question 36

Secondary data: all

Answer 36

Information collected for a purpose other than the current one. Can use government statistics. + A lot simpler and cheaper - data may not fit exact requirements of study.

Question 38

Quantitative data: all

Answer 38

How much, long, or many. Measured in quantities. + easy to analyse using descriptive stats and inferential tests - oversimplifies reality

Question 39

Qualitative data: all

Answer 39

Cannot be counted, but can be operationalised and then turned into quantitative. + provides in depth info - more difficult to analyse