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A-Level Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is content analysis?

A

A kind of observational study in which behaviour is observed indirectly in written or verbal material

e.g. books, diaries or TV programmes

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2
Q

How does a content analysis work?

A

Categories (themes) are identified (possibly using thematic analysis) and then instances in each category can be counted so that quantitative data is produced

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3
Q

What is step 1 of a content analysis?

A

Select suitable adverts

e.g. record two adverts per day and randomly choose the time of day

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4
Q

What is step 2 of a content analysis?

A

Create a set of operationalised behavioural categories

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5
Q

What is step 3 of a content analysis?

A

Watch the adverts and tally the frequency in each category

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6
Q

What is step 4 of content analysis?

A

Draw conclusions

Inferntial statistical tests such as chi squared can be used

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7
Q

What are the strengths of content analysis?

A

Ecological validity

Replicable

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8
Q

What are the weaknesses of content analysis?

A

Observer bias

Culturally bias

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9
Q

Why is ecological validity a strength of content analysis?

A

High in ecological validity because its based on observations of what people actually do

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10
Q

Why is replicability a strength of content analysis?

A

Analysis can be replicated because sources can be retained or accessed by others

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11
Q

Why is observer bias a weakness of content analysis?

A

Observer may be bias towards the results which reduces the objectivity and validity of the findings

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12
Q

Why is cultural bias a weakness of content analysis?

A

Likely to be culturally bias because source material is rooted in a cultural and behavioural categories lieklt to be determined by culture of the observer

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13
Q

What is observational research?

A

Observational research is watching or listening to what participants do

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14
Q

How is observational research carried out?

A

A researcher will observe behaviour, record it, look for patterns in the behaviour and then try and make sense of it

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15
Q

What are the strengths of observational research?

A

Different take on behaviour

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16
Q

What are the weaknesses of observational research?

A

Observer bias

Validity

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17
Q

Why is take on behaviour a strength of observational research?

A

What people say they do is often different from what they actually do so observations give a different take on behaviour than other research methods

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18
Q

Why is observer bias a weakness of observational research?

A

Researchers expectations may affect the observations leading to observer bias

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19
Q

Why is validity a weakness of observational research?

A

Observations cannot provide information about what people are thinking or feeling

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20
Q

What are the strengths of using qualitative data for observational research?

A

Thematic analysis

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21
Q

What are the weaknesses of using qualitiative data for observational research?

A

Validity

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22
Q

Why is thematic analysis a strength of using qualitative data for observational research?

A

Qualitiative data is the first step in creating a structured, quantitative system for classifying observations

Thematic analysis can be used to create the behavioural categories

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23
Q

Why is validity a weakness of using qualitative data for observational research?

A

Behaviours recorded may be those most visible or eye-catching to the observer but may not be the most relevant behaviours or true to their actually behaviour

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24
Q

How is quantitative data used in observational research?

A

Behavioural categories (coding scheme)

Objective methods to separate the continuous stream of action into components

Behaviours are counted using the categories/coding system

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25
Q

What are the strengths of using quantitative data for observational research?

A

Systematic observations

Tallied

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26
Q

What are the weaknesses of using quantitative data for observational research?

A

Validity

Reliability

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27
Q

Why is systematic observations a strength of using quantitative data for observational research?

A

Enables systematic observations to be made so important information is not overlooked which enhances validity

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28
Q

Why is tally a strength of using quantitative data for observational research?

A

Categories can be tallied and conclusions can therefore be drawn

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29
Q

Why is validity a weakness of using quantitative data for observational research?

A

Limited categories may not cover all possibilities so some behaviour are not recorded which leads to low validity

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30
Q

Why is reliability a weakness of using quantitative data for observational research?

A

Poor design of categories may reduced reliability which will affect the possibility of replicating the observation

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31
Q

What is event sampling?

A

Draw up a list of behavioural categories then tally each time a specified behaviour occurs

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32
Q

What are the strengths of event sampling?

A

Manageable

Usefulness

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33
Q

What are the weaknesses of event sampling?

A

Validity

34
Q

Why is manageability a strength of event sampling?

A

By taking a sample it makes observing behaviour more manageable

35
Q

Why is usefulness a strength of event sampling?

A

Useful when behaviour to be recorded only happens occasionally

36
Q

Why is validity a weakness of event sampling?

A

Events may be missed if there is a lot happening at once

Observations may not be representative if the list of events is not comprehension which reduces validity

37
Q

What is time sampling?

A

Recording observations of behaviour at specific time intervals

Can also take a sample at different times of the day or month

38
Q

What are the strengths of time sampling?

A

Manageable

Tracking

39
Q

What are the weaknesses of time sampling?

A

Validity

Representative

40
Q

Why is manageability a strength of time sampling?

A

Makes observing behaviour more manageable by taking a sample as it reduces the number of observations in a set time period

41
Q

Why is tracking a strength of time sampling?

A

Allows for tracking of time related changes in behaviour

42
Q

Why is validity a weakness of time sampling?

A

Some important behaviours may be missed because they occur outside of the observation interval reducing validity

43
Q

Why is representativeness a weakness of time sampling?

A

Behaviours recorded may not be representative of the child behaviour if it occurs between recording points

44
Q

What is participant observation?

A

The observer is a participant in the behaviour being observed

45
Q

What are the strengths of participant observation?

A

Insight

May see more

46
Q

What are the weaknesses of participant observation?

A

Objectivity

Validity

47
Q

Why is insight a strength of participant observation?

A

The observer is likely to provide special insights into behaviour from the ‘inside’ as they have become a participant in the groups behaviour

48
Q

Why is the observer seeing more a strength of participant observation?

A

Being on the inside means the observer can see more and gain a better understanding of the participants behaviour and understand why they behave that way

49
Q

Why is objectivity a weakness of participant observation?

A

Objectivity is reduced as the observer may interpret behaviour differently to someone else

50
Q

Why is validity a weakness of participant observation?

A

It’s more difficult to record and monitor behaviour unobstructively and the observer may therefore forget certain details lowering the validity

51
Q

What is non-participant observation?

A

The observer is not a participant in the behaviour being observed

52
Q

What are the strengths of non-participant observation?

A

Objectivity

Observe unobstructively

53
Q

What are the weaknesses of non-participant observation?

A

May see less

Validity

54
Q

Why is objectivity a strength of non-participant observation?

A

There is increased objectivity because of a psychological distance and also possibly a physical distance

55
Q

Why is being able to observe unobstructively a strength of non-participant observation?

A

Observer can observe participants unobstructively and isn’t conscious about being observe which may increase validity

56
Q

Why is the observer possibly seeing less a weakness of non-participant observation?

A

Observer may see less of the participants behaviour because they will be taking notes

57
Q

Why is validity a weakness of non-participant observation?

A

The observer may interpret the communications and behaviour of participants which will reduce the validity of findings

58
Q

What is a structured (controlled) observation?

A

Where some variables in the observation have been manipulated by the researcher

59
Q

What are the strengths of structured (controlled) observation?

A

Controlled environment

Tenative casual conclusions

60
Q

What are the weaknesses of structured (controlled) observation?

A

Demand characteristics

Ecological validity

61
Q

Why is a controlled environment a strength of structured (controlled) observation?

A

Controlled environment allows for focus on particular aspects of behaviour

62
Q

Why is tenative casual conclusions a strength of structured (controlled) observation?

A

It may be possible to draw some tentative casual conclusions before carrying out an experiment

63
Q

Why is demand characteristics a weakness of structured (controlled) observation?

A

Participants may know they are being observed and may therefore alter their behaviour

64
Q

Why is ecological validity a weakness of structured (controlled) observation?

A

The environment may feel unnatural and may not reflect behaviour in a real life setting

65
Q

What is naturalistic observation?

A

Everything is left as usual and the environment is unstructured but may use structured techniques

66
Q

What are the strengths of naturalistic observation?

A

Ecological validity

Usefulness

67
Q

What are the weaknesses of naturalistic observation?

A

Ethical issues

Conclusions

68
Q

Why is ecological validity a strength of naturalistic observation?

A

Realisitic picture of natural spontaneous behaviour as it takes place in a natural environment

69
Q

Why is usefulness a strength of naturalistic observation?

A

Useful method when investigating a new area of research

70
Q

Why is ethical issues a weakness of naturalistic observation?

A

Observation is likely to be cover which raises ethical issues as participants may not be aware they are being observed

71
Q

Why is conclusions a weakness of naturalistic observation?

A

Difficult to draw conclusions as the focus is too wide

72
Q

What is overt observation?

A

Where the participant is aware they are being observed

73
Q

What are the strengths of overt observation?

A

Ethics

Observation

74
Q

What are the weaknesses of overt observation?

A

Demand characterisitcs

75
Q

Why is ethics a strength of overt observation?

A

Overt observation avoids the lack of informed consent as participants have given their consent to be observed

76
Q

Why is observation a strength of overt observation?

A

Easier for the researcher to see everything going on as the observer doesn’t have to hide

77
Q

Why is demand characteristics a weakness of overt observation?

A

Participants may alter their behaviour as they are aware they are being observed

78
Q

What is covert observation?

A

Where the participant is not aware they are being observed

79
Q

What are the srengths of covert observation?

A

Demand characteristics

80
Q

What are the weaknesses of covert observation?

A

Ethical issues

81
Q

Why is demand characteristics a strength of covert observation?

A

Participants behave more naturally because they are unaware they are being observed and therefore don’t change their behaviour

82
Q

Why is ethical issues a weakness of covert observation?

A

Raises ethical issues as there is an invasion of privacy as participants are unaware they are being observed

A-Level Psychology (117 decks)

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