research methods

Question 1

what are participant observations?

Answer 1

• observers are part of the study

Question 2

what are non participant observations?

Answer 2

• when researchers are not part of the study
• e.g observations via a two way mirror

Question 3

what are the strengths of participant observations?

Answer 3

• high ecological validity as observers do not make it unnatural
• more data obtained

Question 4

what are the weaknesses of participant observations?

Answer 4

• hard to step back enough to take observations
• harder to replicate - lowers reliability

Question 5

what are the strengths of non participant observations?

Answer 5

• objective and impartial data can be collected
• easier to record data
• easier to replicate - reliable

Question 6

what are the weaknesses of non-participant observations?

Answer 6

• observers can be noticeable leading to demand characteristics
• observer may not understand the study completely and gather unuseful results

Question 7

what is a covert observation?

Answer 7

• participants do not know that the observation is taking place

Question 8

what is an overt observation?

Answer 8

• participants know that they are part of a study and that they are being observed

Question 9

what are the strengths of overt observations?

Answer 9

• more ethical as informed consent can be obtained

Question 10

what are the weaknesses of overt observations?

Answer 10

• participants know they are being observed so may show demand characteristics which lowers validity

Question 11

what ethical guidelines do covert observations break?

Answer 11

• informed consent
• no intentional harm/distress

Question 12

what are the strengths of covert observations?

Answer 12

• natural behaviour is shown - more valid
• no demand characteristics

Question 13

what are the weaknesses of covert observations?

Answer 13

• unethical

Question 14

what are the strengths of naturalistic observations?

Answer 14

• high ecological validity

Question 15

what are the weaknesses of naturalistic observations?

Answer 15

• observer makes decisions on what’s recorded
• low generalisability
• cannot be easily replicated - less reliable

Question 16

what are the BPs ethical guidelines?

Answer 16

• project liscence required
• animals should have suitable accommodation
• last resort after alternatives have been considered
• species must be appropriate and the minimum amount must be used
• can be some food deprivation but it must be minimised
• kept in groups if needed

Question 17

what are the pros for animal testing?

Answer 17

• could benefit humans
• we have similarities with animals and can generalise their findings to humans
• practical due to shorter breeding cycles
• sufficient guidelines to protect animals

Question 18

what are the cons for animal testing?

Answer 18

• speciesm as we wouldn’t do it on humans so why animals?
• animals still are significantly different to humans
• findings lack reliability and validity so not valuable
• cost-benefit analysis is not appropriate

Question 19

what are the strengths of animal testing?

Answer 19

• animals are small and easy to handle
• short gestation periods
• some procedures are not suitable to humans
• stronger control of the environment