Research Methods

Question 1

Random sampling

Answer 1

Random sampling involves selecting members of the target population in a random way. This can be done using a computerised random number generator, or even by simply drawing names out of a hat.

Question 2

Advantages of Random Sampling

Answer 2

1) every member of the target population has an equal chance of selection
2) there is no experimenter bias in who takes part.

Question 3

Disadvantages of Random Sampling

Answer 3

even a random sample may not truly represent the target population (e.g. a random sample of 12 people may by chance all be the same gender).

Question 4

opportunity sampling

Answer 4

An opportunity sample is one that happens to already exist somewhere. An example could be year 12 students studying psychology as a ready-made group of these will exist in most sixth forms. Another example might be children already at a day care centre.

Question 5

Advantages of opportunity Sampling

Answer 5

The main advantage of opportunity sampling are that it is quick and easy as the sample already exists.

Question 6

Disadvantages of opportunity Sampling

Answer 6

opportunity sample is biased because the members of it have self selected and are all similar in at least one way, therefore any results will only be truly generalisable to that specific group of people.

Question 7

Volunteer sampling

Answer 7

Volunteer samples are ones in which the participants have put themselves forward as research candidates. Researchers obtain volunteer samples by advertising on posters or in newspapers.

Question 8

Advantages of volunteer sampling

Answer 8

participants will all be happy and willing to participate, and they will not feel coerced in any way.

Question 9

Disadvantages of volunteer sampling

Answer 9

it will be biased towards a certain type of person as only people with a personal interest in the research topic will volunteer. The sample will not therefore be truly representative of the target population.

Question 10

Theory

Answer 10

An integrated set of principles that explain and predict observed events.

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

A testable proposition that describes a relationship that may exist between events.

Question 12

What are 2 purposes of hypothesis

Answer 12

1) They allow us to test a theory

2) They give direction to research, send investigators to look for things that they never thought of.

Question 13

Aspects that make a theory good

Answer 13

1) Effectively summarizes many observations
2) make clear predictions that we can use to:
- confirm or modify the theory
- generate new exploration
- suggest practical applications

Question 14

Field research

Answer 14

research done in natural, real-life settings outside the laboratory

Question 15

Correlational study

Answer 15

The study of the naturally occurring relationships among variables

Question 16

Experimental research

Answer 16

Studies that seek clues to cause-effect relationships by manipulating one or more factors (independent variables) while controlling others (holding them constant).

Question 17

Laboratory research

Answer 17

Controlled situation

Question 18

Time-lagged correlations

Answer 18

Correlations able to reveal the sequence of events suggesting cause-effect relationships.

Question 19

Mention 4 potentially biasing influences when designing and using surveys

Answer 19

1) unrepresentative sample
2) order of questions
3) response options
4) wording of questions

Question 20

Define “framing”

Answer 20

the way a question or an issue is posed; framing can influence people’s decisions and expressed opinions

Question 21

Independent variable

Answer 21

The experimental factor that a researcher manipulates.

Question 22

dependent variable

Answer 22

The variable being measured, so called because it may depend on manipulations of the independent variable.

Question 23

random assignment

Answer 23

The process of assigning participants to the conditions of an experiment such that all persons have the same chance of being in a given condition.

Question 24

What is the difference between random assignment and random sampling?

Answer 24

1) Random assignment occurs in experiments while random sampling occurs in surveys.
2) Random assignment helps us infer cause and effect while random sampling helps us generalize to a population.

Question 25

Mundane realism

Answer 25

laboratory experiments that represent everyday situations, typically mundane or unimportant.

Question 26

Experimental realism

Answer 26

laboratory experiments experiments that engage the participants so that real psychological processes can take place.

Question 27

Deception

Answer 27

In research, an effect by which participants are misinformed or misled about the study’s methods and purposes.

Question 28

Demand characteristics

Answer 28

Cues in an experiment that tell the participant what behavior is expected

Question 29

Name two ways in which experimenters can minimize demand characteristics

Answer 29

1) Standardize instructions

2) Use a computer to provide instructions

Question 30

Informed consent

Answer 30

An ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Question 31

List 5 ethical principles used for ethical psychological research

Answer 31

1) Informed consent
2) Be truthful. Use deception only if essential and justified by a significant purpose and not about aspects that would affect the participants’ willingness to participate
3) Protect participants (and bystanders, if any) from harm and significant discomfort
4) Treat information about the individual participants confidentially
5) Debrief

Question 32

Debrief

Answer 32

Fully explain the experiment afterward, including any deception. Often queries participants regarding their understandings and feelings.

Question 33

What is the only exception for debriefing

Answer 33

When the feedback would be distressing, such as by making participants they have been stupid or cruel.

Question 34

Mention 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of using correlational studies

Answer 34

ADVANTAGE: Often uses real-world settings
DISADVANTAGE: Causation often ambiguous.

Question 35

Mention 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of using experimental methods

Answer 35

ADVANTAGE: Can explore cause and effect by controlling variables and by random assignment
DISADVANTAGE: Some important variables cannot be studied with experiments

Question 36

What does it mean to say “ the difference was statistically significant”?

Answer 36

A difference this great, for this sample of people, is very unlikely to be due to chance variation