Non-experimental Methods [Definitions]

Question 1

What is a correlation?

Answer 1

• Examines the relationship between co-variables + tells us the strength of the relationship
• Correlation (e.g +0.98) can be strong or weak, or positive/negative. + or - shows p or n, and the closer the number is to 1 the stronger the correlation is.
• +0.03 is no correlation

Question 2

What is a participant observation?

Answer 2

• Researcher takes on the rope od a participant whilst observing other participants behaviour around them
• Ppts do not know who they are

Question 3

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 3

• Researcher watches and records without interfering in any way.
• Ppts often unaware they’re being studied
• Behaviour sorted into predetermined categories

Question 4

What is an overt/covert observation?

Answer 4

OVERT: Aware they’re being studied, observer is visible
COVERT: Where participants are unaware they’re being observed. Observer is hidden.

Question 5

What is a structured/unstructured observation?

Answer 5

STRUCTURED: Researcher uses a system to organise their observations. Categories allow for operationalisation, making the behaviours observed as precise and measurable as possible.

UNSTRUCTURED: The researcher records all relevant behaviour but has no system.

Question 6

What is time sampling vs event sampling?

Answer 6

TIME: The psychologists observes and records behaviour at specific time intervals, e.g every 15 minutes.
EVENT: Participants are observed by the psychologists who records a specific behaviour each time it occurs.

Question 7

What are the different types of questions in a questionnaire?

Answer 7

• Closed questions (set responses)
• Open questions (Any answer they wish)
• Likert scale (Expresses level of agreement)
• Semantic differential scale (Selects a point on the scale that has two opposing adjectives at each end.)

Question 8

What is a structured interview?

Answer 8

• Pre determined set of questions that are asked in a fixed order
• No deviation from the original questions

Question 9

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 9

• General aim and some pre-determined questions but other questions are developed based on the answers given by the participant.
• More flexible/ can ask followups for insightful info

Question 10

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 10

• No set questions to ask, interviewee asks different questions each time
• Used to create a relaxed atmosphere