Non - Experimental Methods

Question 1

Define the term case study

Answer 1

Intensive study about a person/group of people - can also refer to the study of an institution eg a school - uses a range of sources from the individual to their family and friends.

Question 2

Strengths of case studies

Answer 2

-Gaining insight and deeper understanding
-some things can only be investigated through a case study

Question 3

Weaknesses of case studies

Answer 3

• ethics - may not be able to give full consent eg children
• replicability - too unique
• subjectivity in interpretation
• data not easily analysed
• lacks generalisability

Question 4

What is a participant observation

Answer 4

Where the researcher becomes a member of the group they’re observing

Question 5

What is a correlation

Answer 5

Used to test a hypothesis about a relationship between 2 variables e.g smoking and death
Correlation does not equal causation
Correlation co efficient ranges from +1 - -1

Question 6

Strengths of correlation

Answer 6

Can be used for reasons that may be unethical/unpractical to manipulate
No manipulation = high ecological validity
Easily replicable
Makes use of other data

Question 7

Weaknesses of correlations

Answer 7

May lack internal/external validity
No cause and effect
May lack generalisability

Question 8

What is time sampling

Answer 8

Schedules time slots e.g every 2 minutes for an hour

Question 9

What is event sampling

Answer 9

Tallying every time you see a certain behaviour on a coded sheet

Question 10

What is a naturalistic observation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 11

Ecological validity - can be generalised

Question 12

Weaknesses of naturalistic observation

Answer 12

Hard to replicate due to lack of control of variables

Question 13

What is a controlled observation

Answer 13

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment (variables are controlled by the researcher)

Question 14

Strengths of controlled observation

Answer 14

Easier to replicate due to controlled variables

Question 15

Weaknesses of controlled observation

Answer 15

Behaviour is unnatural due to unnatural setting

Question 16

What’s a covert observation

Answer 16

Observers are not visible and participants are unaware their behaviour is being observed

Question 17

Strengths of a covert observation

Answer 17

Behaviour is more natural

Question 18

Weaknesses of covert observation

Answer 18

Less ethical as p’s are unaware and can’t give full informed consent

Question 19

What is an overt observation

Answer 19

P’s are aware their behaviour is being observed and researcher is visible

Question 20

Strengths of an overt observation

Answer 20

Ethical - informed consent

Question 21

weaknesses of overt observation

Answer 21

Social desirability
Screw you/demand characteristics

Question 22

Strengths of participant observation

Answer 22

N depth data as they’re close so unlikely to miss behaviour

Question 23

Weaknesses of participant observation

Answer 23

Researcher bias - could affect objectivity

Question 24

What is a non participant observation

Answer 24

Researcher remains outside the group they’re observing

Question 25

Strengths of non participation observation

Answer 25

Researchers are more objective

Question 26

Weaknesses of non participation observation

Answer 26

May not gain as much info or miss behaviour

Question 27

What is a structured observation

Answer 27

Researchers use systems to organise observations

Question 28

Strengths of a structured observation

Answer 28

Detailed

Question 29

Weaknesses of structed observation

Answer 29

May be too much to record - risk of observer bias and writing down things that need their aims

Question 30

Structured interview

Answer 30

Interviewers have pre determined set of questions that they stick to

Question 31

What is a semi structured

Answer 31

Some questions are pre determined but some are made on the spot

Question 32

Unstructured interview

Answer 32

Only the 1st question is planned everything else is free flowed

Question 33

What are questionnaire

Answer 33

Non experimental self report method Ps record thoughts with written answers or choose from fixed options

Question 34

What are open questions

Answer 34

Not restricted to a fixed answer

Question 35

What are closed questions

Answer 35

Fixed set of responses e.g. yes/no

Question 36

What are cross sectional studies

Answer 36

‘Snapshot in time’ One group of people representing one section of society compared to another group E.g. working class vs middle class

Question 37

Strengths of cross sectional studies

Answer 37

Cheap,quick and practical

Question 38

Weaknesses of cross sectional studies

Answer 38

Less detailed and hard to identify trends

Question 39

What is a longitudinal study

Answer 39

Study conducted over a long period of time Same p’s assessed at multiple points over a time period

Question 40

Strengths of a longitudinal study

Answer 40

No p’s variables

Question 41

Weaknesses of longitudinal study

Answer 41

P’s may move away or drop out = disrupts study

Question 42

What is thematic analysis

Answer 42

Generalises qualitative data Connotations of idea/words E.g mentally ill are a drain on the NHS Themes: - ‘control’ - ‘stereotypes’

Question 43

What is coding

Answer 43

Changing qualitative data to quantitive Making a tally E.g terms to describe the mentally ill - ‘crazy’ - ‘Mad’

Question 44

Brain scans - MRI

Answer 44

Uses a magnetic field which causes hydrogen atoms to move Magnet then switches off so atoms move back - this produces an electromagnetic signal Then forms a 2d image ‘cross sectional’ Tales 15-90mins

Question 45

Strengths of an MRI

Answer 45

No harmful radiation Detailed images

Question 46

Weaknesses of MRI

Answer 46

Long time and uncomfortable

Question 47

Brain scans - PET

Answer 47

Injected with a radioactive tracer Combined with sugar as the brain uses glucose Brain contains postions - these collide with electrons and release gamma rays The more active parts of the brain = more postions Takes between 10-40mins

Question 48

Strengths of PET scans

Answer 48

Less claustrophobic

Question 49

Weaknesses of PET scans

Answer 49

Tracer is invasive and has side effects

Question 50

Brain scans - EEG

Answer 50

Placing electrodes on the scalp These electrodes record electrical impulses This creates a visual display of electrical activity 20-40 mins

Question 51

Strengths of EEG

Answer 51

No radiation Cheaper Less invasive

Question 52

Weaknesses of EEG

Answer 52

Can’t scan deep Poor spacial resolution

Question 53

Content analysis

Answer 53

Non experimental technique Specific type of indirect observation -e.g magazines, newspapers are analysed -the sample is the artefacts -the researcher has to create a coding system which breaks down the info into behavioural categories and a tally is taken each time the material fits a ‘theme’

Question 54

What happens in content analysis

Answer 54

Sample = artefacts not people Behavioural categories = reseracher creates a coding system to obtain quantitive analysis - tallying when you see certain behaviour

Question 55

Strengths of content analysis

Answer 55

-artefacts already exist so less chance of demand characteristics -can be replicated by others as long as the artefacts are available to other people

Question 56

Weaknesses of content analysis

Answer 56

-observer bias can affect validity of findings; different observers might interpret the meanings of the categories in the coding system differently -cannot draw cause and effect as origin of artefacts are unknown