Research Methods Flashcards
(51 cards)
Give advantages and disadvantages of lab experiments
Increase level of control that a researcher can have
Reduce ecological validity of research
Describe a field experiment and its As and Ds
Takes place in Ps natural surroundings
Increase ecological validity, surroundings more realistic
Reduce level of control
Describe a quasi experiment
A study that lacks random allocation to groups
Bc of an existing IV
Describe a natural experiment
Situation happens by itself and is completely uncontrolled by the researcher
Used for ethical reasons when R can’t control or manipulate one of the variables
Give As and Ds of observational research
Small Milner of people means they can have large amount of insight
Deep understanding
Often P has rare characteristic, focusing attention makes it diffuse to generalise to a larger population.
Describe a naturalistic observation and its As and Ds
R observes behaviour in its natural environment
Eg, animal research
High validity, info collected unobtrusively
Behave as they normally would means ecological validity, can generalise
No demand characteristics if done right
Difficult to set up or control
Describe a structured observation
People are observed while engaging in set, specific tasks
Describe non-participant observation
Researcher watches from a distance and doesn’t engage
Ethical issues, p must be told
Describe participant observation
Researcher joins in with a social situation tonne able to observe it effectively without biasing the findings
Describe an overt observation
Os are aware they’re being observed
More ethical bit leads to demand characteristics
Describe a covert observation
Ps are unaware that they’re being observed
Reduces demand characteristics
Ps don’t give consent, ethical issues
Can observe in public place however if it’s on video without Ps consent, it’s not allowed
Describe a controlled observation
Researcher sets up a situation and observes what happens
No IV or DV
Give examples of self report techniques
Questionnaires
Replicable
Interviews
Structured, follows questionnaire format
Unstructured, everyday conversation, begin with planned questions but follow up
Interviews may alter P responses due to social desirability bias
Give an advantage for surveys
If the sample is large and diverse, it could be generalised to a larger population
Describe correlations
As one variable changes, so does another
Measured using a correlation coefficient
Number from -1 to 1that indicates strength and direction of the relationship
Closer to one = stronger relationship
Helps to discover strength and direction of relationships
Cant establish cause and effect
Describe a non-directional hypothesis
Two-tailed hypothesis
Predicts change but doesn’t specify direction
Used when there is no previous research
Describe a directional hypothesis
One-tailed hypothesis
Predicts the direction in which change will occur
Used when previous research has suggested the direction of change
Describe a null hypothesis
What will be found if the experimental/alternative hypothesis is not supported by results
What must be considered when creating a sample
Representation
Population/target population
Give examples of types of sampling
Opportunity
Accessing on their convenient availability
Prone to bias, may not be representative
Systematic
Applying a system or rule when selecting
Reduces researcher bias, some Ps may be excluded
Volunteer
Select themselves
Certain personalities are more likely than others to come forward
Stratified
Recreating the same proportions of group than in population
Reduces bias bc more representative however Ps must already have been selected using another technique
Random
All stand equal chance
Doesn’t guarantee a representative sample
What is the purpose of a pilot study
Help researchers test out their methodology and make minor changes
Describe a pilot study
Running planned methodology with smaller number of Ps.
Allows for modification
Give examples of experimental design
Basic design
At least 2 experimental conditions
Repeated measures
Ps complete every condition :
Minimises P variables, sam people being studied
Ps may guess hypothesis or have order effects
Independent groups
Split Ps into groups to complete different conditions
Each P takes part in only one condition :
Participant variables, avoids order effects
Matched pairs
Ps in different groups, matched up on age and abilities to minimise participant variables, matched into pairs then randomly allocated a member to each condition
What is event sampling
Records an event every time it happens over a period of time
