Research Methods

Question 1

Type 1 and type 2 error

Answer 1

-1. False positive. Rejecting null hypothesis when possibility that results due to chance, uses lenient significant level of 0.10
2. False negative - accepts null hypothesis when possibility results were significant , uses strict significant level 0.01

Question 2

Difference between null and alternate hypothesis

Answer 2

• null hypothesis suggests no causal relationship between IV and DV
• alternate suggests there is

Question 3

How to reduce type 1 error

Answer 3

• can decide to use 0.01 level of significance, however increases likelihood of type 2
  Opposite for type 2. Can use 0.5 level of significance

Question 4

Converting ordinal data to nominal

Answer 4

• seperate categories are created
• e.g fast/slow reaction, intelligent/unintelligent. Highest ranked half of pp assigned to one category, other half categoried to other

Question 5

When to use bar chat, scatter Graph and histogram

Answer 5

Bar chart- categorical data
Scatter graph- histogram
Sattergraph -relationship

Question 6

Advantages of quantitative data

Answer 6

• objective measure, reduced likelihood of bias increasing scientific credibility
  -descriptive statistics allows quantitative data to be summarised and displayed on graphs, charts and tables
• more reliable , higher repeating

Question 7

Disadvantages of quantitative data

Answer 7

• data lacks depth and detail
• can only focus on behaviour that can be mathematically measured

Question 8

Advantages of qualitative data

Answer 8

• rich in detail as more info can be collected, use of open ended does not limit responses
• higher validity

Question 9

Disadvantage of quantitative data

Answer 9

• open for interpretation can lead to potential bias
• extensive range of data can be challenging to summarise
• less reliability

Question 10

Advantage and disadvantage of primary data

Answer 10

• increased validity as researcher can control data collection process carefully
• collecting original data from participants time consuming, expensive e.g paying pp for time, setting up experiment, materials

Question 11

Advantage and disadvantages of secondary data

Answer 11

adv- data already exists and analysed, less time consuming and costs involved
Dis- decreases validity as data not collected to answer research question directly.
Decreases validity as researcher has no role in data collection process therefore cannot ensure free from bias

Question 12

What is meta analysis

Answer 12

• process collecting and combines result of range of previously published studies, data collected compared and reviewed together.
  -Advantages- looks at overall pattern of results across multiple studies, small number of studies affected by bias or lack of control will not change overall pattern of results, more trustworthy than individual results
  X- all weakness of secondary data