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Psychology - Paper 2 > Research methods (2) > Flashcards

Research methods (2) Flashcards

1
Q

What is qualitative data?

A

Non-numerical data e.g. interviews, unstructured observation

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2
Q

What are the advantages of qualitative data?

A

Lots of detail and depth
Better understanding of human nature

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3
Q

What are the disadvantages of qualitative data?

A

Hard to compare and analyse
Takes alot of time

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4
Q

What is quantative data?

A

Numerical data e.g. structured observation, questionnaire, content analysis

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5
Q

What are the advantages of quantative data?

A

Easy to compare and analyse
Quick

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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of quantative data?

A

Limited depth and detail

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7
Q

What are the four different types of data that can be collected?

A

Qualitative, quantative, primary and secondary

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8
Q

What is primary data?

A

Data that has been collected by yourself, directly from the source e.g. pps

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9
Q

What are the advantages of using primary data?

A

Data can be trusted/valid

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10
Q

What are the disadvantages of using primary data?

A

Takes time
Difficult

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11
Q

What is secondary data?

A

Someone else’s data that they have collected

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12
Q

What are the advantages of using secondary data?

A

Quick and easy to do
Remove investigator bias

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13
Q

What are the disadvantages of using secondary data?

A

Don’t know if results are valid

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14
Q

What are the four data types/levels of measurement (NOIR)?

A

Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio

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15
Q

What is nominal data?

A

Qualitative values, usually tallied, frequencies that cannot be ranked.
Usually displayed in a bar graph
e.g. weather, ethnicity, marital status

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16
Q

What is ordinal data?

A

Scaled or ranked data. Will be subjective and often seen as a score
e.g. scale of 1-5

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17
Q

What is interval data?

A

Ranked data with set intervals/standardised measurements and units. Objective. No absolute 0
e.g. time, bank balance

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18
Q

What is ratio data?

A

Ranked data with set intervals/standardised measurements and units. Objective. Includes an absolute 0
e.g. distance, weight

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19
Q

What does a measure of central tendency do?

A

Tells us the most typical values of a data set

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20
Q

What are the most common measures of central tendency?

A

Mean
Mode (most frequent value)
Median (middle number)

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21
Q

What is a measure of dispersion?

A

How far scores vary/differ from one another

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22
Q

What are the most common measures of dispersion?

A

Range (difference between highest and lowest scores)
Standard deviation (average spread of values around the mean)

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23
Q

What are the advantages of using the mean?

A

Representative as includes all values in the data set

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24
Q

What are the disadvantages of using the mean?

A

Easily affected by outliers
Only usable on interval level data

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25
What are the advantages of using the mode?
Easy to calculate Used on all levels of data (including nominal)
26
What are the disadvantages of using the mode?
If there are several modes then cannot be used Doesn't represent the whole data set
27
What are the advantages of using the median?
Not affected by extreme values Easy to calculate
28
What are the disadvantages of using the median?
Less representative than mean Only used on ordinal/interval level data
29
What are the advantages of using the range?
Easy to calculate Used on ordinal or interval level data
30
What are the disadvantages of using the range?
Not representative of most the scores
31
What are the advantages of using the standard deviation?
More precise than the range
32
What are the disadvantages of using the standard deviation?
Effected by extreme values
33
What is the difference between a histogram and a bar graph?
Bar graph has gaps between the bars and uses nominal data only Histogram has no gaps between the bars and shows continuous data
34
What is a normal distribution?
When the mean, median and/or mode fall in the middle of a bell shaped curve. Equal distribution either side
35
What is a negatively skewed distribution?
The tail of the graph points left and more values are concentrated on the right side
36
What is a positively skewed distribution?
The tail of the graph points right and more values are concentrated on the left side
37
What is probability?
How likely something is to happen. Will always be a number between 0 (impossible) and 1 (certain)
38
What significance level is used unless stated otherwise?
P≤0.05
39
Why do psychologists use the P≤0.05 significance level?
It means 95/100 people do predicted behaviour. Any lower still counts as significant e.g. P≤0.01 is harder to achieve and therefore more significant
40
Should higher or lower significant levels be used when challenging other research?
Lower e.g. P≤0.02 (98/100 people do the predicted behaviour)
41
What does a significance level of P≤0.05 show as evidence for backing up a study?
Shows support but not proof
42
What is a type 1 error?
False positive. Reject a null hypothesis when we shouldn't as it is actually true. Belief that a significant difference or correlation is found but it does not exist
43
What is a type 2 error?
False negative. Accept a null hypothesis when we shouldn't as it is actually false. Belief that no significant difference or correlation has been found found but there is a significant difference/correlation in the data
44
How can we avoid/reduce the chances of making a type 1 or type 2 error?
Increase sample size. Make significance levels stricter - reduce chance of type one error but increases chance of type 2 error
45
How do you tell if the test is parametric?
Interval/ratio level data Normal distribution, not skewed Spread of data is not significantly large
46
Which tests are parametric?
Pearsons Related T Unrelated T
47
What is the mnemonic to remember the stats tests?
Carrots Should Come Mashed With Swede Under Roast Potatoes
48
What is a one tailed test?
Has a directional hypothesis
49
What is a two tailed test?
Has a non-directional hypothesis
50
How do you calculate S in a sign test?
Count the number of times the less frequent sign occurs
51
How do you calculate N in a sign test?
N is the number of participants who's score gives a sign (not including 0)
52
What is needed on a psychological report?
Title Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion References Appendices e.g. standardised instructions, consent forms, debriefs, stats and raw data
53
What is a title?
A short precise title to give the reader a clear idea of the topic you are investigating
54
What is an abstract?
Written last, final overview. Aim of investigation One sentence about relevant research Research method used Experimental design used Sampling method used Result Accepted/rejected hypothesis
55
What is an introduction?
Answers why you carried out the investigation Background psychological literature Overall aim Type of hypothesis and reasoning about decision for one/two tailed test
56
How would you write a method?
Design e.g. variables controlled, ethical considerations, research method used Materials e.g. description and explanation e.g. consent form, word lists, debrief Participants e.g. age, target pop, allocation, gender Procedure e.g. explain roles, consent form and debriefing Result e.g. summary table, graph, level of significance
57
What is a discussion?
Comment on graph in relation to result Note any uncontrolled variables Relationship to background research
58
What is a reference?
Sources quoted in conventional style Alphabetical order by surname
59
What is an appendices?
Number and title for each appendix. Include consent form, debrief, raw data, standardised instructions
60
What should the report style be like in a psychological report?
Past tense No pronouns
61
What should be in a consent form?
Basic info about the studies aims and procedures Info about right to withdraw Assurance of confidentiality Opportunity to ask questions about the research Statement for them to sign saying they have read and understood the info sheet and agree to take part
62
How should research be referenced?
Author. (Year). Title. Edition. Place: Publisher

Psychology - Paper 2 (4 decks)

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