Research Methods

Question 1

Types of correlations

Answer 1

Positive correlation-as one co variable increases so does the other
Negative correlation-as one co variable increases the other decreases
Zero correlation- no relationship/association between co variables

Question 2

Ranges of correlation co efficients

Answer 2

-1.0 to +1.0

Question 3

Correlation score meanings

Answer 3

0.8-1 strong, 0.5-0.8 mild, 0.3-0.5 weak, 0-0.3 none

Question 4

Experiment vs correlation

Answer 4

Experiment- researcher changes IV to effect DV, IV caused any observed changes
Correlation- no manipulation of V, can’t assume one is causing other

Question 5

Correlations evaluation

Answer 5

Useful preliminary tool,quick and cost effective no need to controlled environment ✅
Lack of manipulation and control only if but not why they are related, could be 3rd variable, can be misinterpreted but not in relationship ❌

Question 6

Types of data

Answer 6

Primary, secondary

Qualitative, Quantitative

Question 7

Primary data

Answer 7

Collected for study specifically by researcher from p
Data is genuine, info researcher needs, current time period✅
Time and effort❌

Question 8

Secondary data

Answer 8

Collected by someone not researcher,not specific to experiment and researcher has no contact w p
Little time and effort✅
Not for specific purpose, can’t check authenticity or quality ❌

Question 9

Qualitative data

Answer 9

Wordy data
Broader+more richness of detail,greater external validity have more chance to develop points✅
Difficult to analyse, hard to find patterns, conclusions may be subjective so reduce validity+reliability❌

Question 10

Quantitative data

Answer 10

Number data
Simple to analyse higher validity and reliability ✅
Narrower in scope abs meaning as cant develop points so lower external validity❌

Question 11

Measures of central tendency

Answer 11

Mean
More representative of data as whole✅
Easily distorted by extreme values❌

Median
Not affected by extreme scores✅
Less sensitive than mean as not all scores included❌

Mode
Easy to calculate, only measure that can be nomial(categories)✅
Not representative of data as whole and results may not have mode❌

Question 12

Measures of dispersion

Answer 12

Range
Easy to calculate✅
Only takes into account 2 extreme values maybe unrepresentative ❌

Standard deviation- how much scores deviate from mean, difference between mean+each score,smaller(tighter spread) bigger (greater spread)
Much more precise measure✅
Can be distorted by extreme value ❌

Question 13

Content analysis types

Answer 13

Content analysis

Thematic analysis

Question 14

Content analysis

Answer 14

Deductive approach

Researchers know what they are looking for+ have pre conceived categories to reflect,may use tally

Question 15

Thematic analysis

Answer 15

Inductive approach no pre conceived categories, identify themes and ideas in data, themes emerge once analysed

Question 16

Content analysis strengths

Answer 16

Can get round ethical issues as no issues getting consent
Flexible as can produce qualitative and quantitative data
High in ecological validity

Question 17

Content analysis limitations

Answer 17

Tells us what not why so no meaning behind data

Risk of observer bias ,interpretation of what category data is in reduces validity

Question 18

Case studies

Answer 18

Analysis of unusual individual or event and tend to be longitudinal (over a long period)
Insight into areas psychologists can’t study through manipulation as unethical
Eg patient HM and Little Albert

Question 19

Case studies strengths

Answer 19

Rich insight into atypical behaviour and can understand more

May generate hypotheses for future study,new ideas

Question 20

Case studies limitations

Answer 20

Single person/small group might not apply to everyone
Researcher getting to know individuals can subjective interpretation
Can’t be replicated reduced validity

Question 21

Types of interview

Answer 21

Structured
Unstructured
Semi structured

Question 22

Structured interview

Answer 22

Questions decided in advance

Question 23

Semi structured interview

Answer 23

Some pre determined questions some developed in response

Question 24

Unstructured interview

Answer 24

General aims and possible questions, some developed in response to answers

Question 25

Errors in designing an interview

Answer 25

Overuse of jargon (technical terms) Emotive language+ leading questions (lead to certain answer) Double barrelled negative questions(confuses participant )

Question 26

Structured interview evaluation

Answer 26

High reliability/ replication and data analysis | Low validity, interviewer bias and social desirability bias

Question 27

Unstructured interview evaluation

Answer 27

High interviewer bias,validity and social desirability bias | Low reliability and data analysis

Question 28

Semi structured interview evaluation

Answer 28

High validity and social desirability bias | All else mixed

Question 29

Types of observations

Answer 29

``` Naturalistic Controlled Covert Over Participant Non participant ```

Question 30

Naturalistic and controlled observations

Answer 30

Naturalistic-watching and recording behaviour in setting it would normally occur Controlled-watching and recording behaviour in structured environment

Question 31

Covert and overt observations

Answer 31

Covert-participant behaviours is watched without their knowledge and consent Overt-participant behaviours is watched and recorded with knowledge and consent

Question 32

Participant and non participant observations

Answer 32

Participant-researcher becomes member of group who’s behaviour they are watching and recording Non participant-remains outside of group they are monitoring

Question 33

Pilot studies

Answer 33

Small scale version of investigation that occurs before real investigation to check procedures etc work before main one so they can make changes if issues occur

Question 34

Pilot studies strengths

Answer 34

Practice for recorder See if study will be valid and findings measure what they intend to Saved money and time long term

Question 35

Pilot studies limitation

Answer 35

More participants required They may tell others which reduces validity of future studies Wastes time and money short term

Question 36

Observations evaluation factors

Answer 36

``` Objectivity Demand characteristics Reliability Ethical issues External validity Internal validity ```

Question 37

Observations

Answer 37

Allow psychologists to study observable behaviour and complex interactions between variables more naturally Not experiments as no IV can be used Can’t establish cause and effect relationships