Research methods

Question 1

What is random sampling?

Answer 1

Randomly selecting people from the target population

Question 2

Strength of random sampling

Answer 2

low bias - all have an equal chance of being selected

Question 3

Weakness of random sampling

Answer 3

cannot be certain that the sample will represent all type of person - e.g more male than female

Question 4

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 4

Put target population into categories and choose individuals from each category that align with the proportion of them in the target population

Question 5

Strength of stratified sampling

Answer 5

all groups represented

Question 6

Weakness of stratified sampling

Answer 6

time consuming to gain sample

Question 7

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 7

People available at the time who fit the required criteria

Question 8

Strength of opportunity sampling

Answer 8

quick to gain sample

Question 9

Weakness of opportunity sampling

Answer 9

may not represent all groups

Question 10

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 10

Volunteer to be a part of the study

Question 11

Strength of volunteer sampling

Answer 11

ethical - consent automatically gained

Question 12

Weakness of volunteer sampling

Answer 12

time consuming to wait for enough volunteers

Question 13

Evaluation of quantitative data

Answer 13

strength - easy to compare with other quantitative data

weakness - ppts don’t have a chance to fully explain their answer

Question 14

Evaluation of qualitative data

Answer 14

strength - rich in detail

weakness - difficult to analyse and compare with other qualitative data

Question 15

What is an open question?

Answer 15

Questions which don’t have a fixed response

Question 16

Example of an open question?

Answer 16

How do you think others perceive you?

Question 17

Evaluation of open questions

Answer 17

strength - more detail in answers so more valid

weakness - difficult to analyse due to differences in answers

Question 18

What is a closed question?

Answer 18

Questions which give the respondents a fixed choice

Question 19

Example of a closed question?

Answer 19

Do you agree with the death penalty? Yes or No

Question 20

Evaluation of closed questions

Answer 20

strength - high reliability - standardised procedure

weakness - question may force respondent to choose from answers which they may not want to choose from - decreased validity

Question 21

What is a rating scale question?

Answer 21

A scale where ppts mark attitudes, feelings or opinion

Question 22

Example of a rating scale question?

Answer 22

How stressed do you feel on a scale of 1-10? 1=not very 10=very

Question 23

Evaluation of rating scale question

Answer 23

strength - quantitative - easy to analyse

weakness - may be unclear as which numbers mean what

Question 24

What is a structured interview?

Answer 24

Follows a set format

Question 25

What is a semi structured interview?

Answer 25

Has a set of questions relating to certain topics which can be explored by the researcher

Question 26

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 26

Asking questions not in a set format - changes depending on answers

Question 27

What is the name of the ethics code for humans?

Answer 27

British Psychological Society Code of Human Research Ethics (2009)

Question 28

What is the first principle?

Answer 28

respect for autonomy and dignity of persons: - respect individual differences - respect cultural differences - ensure informed consent is gained - ensure right to withdraw is made aware of at any time - ensure confidentiality

Question 29

What is the second principle?

Answer 29

competence: - psychologists should be fully qualified researchers - should follow the BPS guidelines

Question 30

What is the third principle?

Answer 30

social responsibility: - minimise and avoid deception - avoid using vulnerable ppts - be aware of consequences - useful for community - minimise harm

Question 31

What is the fourth principle?

Answer 31

integrity: - establish boundaries with ppts - think of the perspective of the ppt at all times

Question 32

What are the 5 ethical guidelines?

Answer 32

deception, consent, withdrawal, competence, debrief