research methods and techniques

Question 1

what are the 3 types of experiments?

Answer 1

lab, quasi, field/naturalistic

Question 2

what 7 factors must be included when designing an experiment?

Answer 2

experimental design, lab, field or quasi, hypotheses, sample/sampling, method, ethics, variables

Question 3

what is a lab experiment?

Answer 3

an experiment carried out in highly controlled environment

Question 4

what are 2 strengths of lab experiment?

Answer 4

1. great control of extraneous variables allows for the procedure to be standardised and allows for repeatability
2. able to establish cause and effect confidently due to high control. high internal validity

Question 5

what are 2 weaknesses of lab experiment?

Answer 5

1. unnatural setting may result in unrealistic behaviours leading to low ecological validity. low external validity- can’t be generalised to setting
2. researcher often present so demand characteristics may show. low external validity - can’t be generalised to people

Question 6

what is a field experiment?

Answer 6

when an experiment takes place in an natural environment but a clear IDV and DV have been established

Question 7

what are 2 strengths of a field experiment?

Answer 7

1. behaviour most likely to reflect real life due to natural setting so high ecological validity
2. low demand characteristics as P’s may not know they’re being observed

Question 8

what is a quasi experiment?

Answer 8

an experiment where the IDV cannot be manipulated as it’s naturally occurring or is unethical to manipulate

Question 9

what are 2 weaknesses of a quasi experiment?

Answer 9

1. IDV is naturally occurring so P’s will belong to 1 condition or the other so researcher cannot randomly allocate P’s which can increase individual differences= lacks validity
2. often conducted in labs= low ecological validity

Question 10

what are the 3 types of extraneous variables?

Answer 10

situational, individual differences, researcher effects

Question 11

situational variables

Answer 11

factors within the environment that effects Ps and their behaviour

Question 12

individual differences

Answer 12

differences between Ps

Question 13

researcher effects

Answer 13

when the researcher acts differently to Ps

Question 14

how can you control extraneous variables? 4

Answer 14

1. standardise= procedures are kept the same
2. match pair= matched by shared characteristics
3. single blind= Ps unaware of the aim
4. double blind= P unaware of aim+ researcher unaware of conditions

Question 15

what is a self report?

Answer 15

data collected that involves asking people to report on their thoughts, feelings, behaviour

Question 16

what are examples of self reports?

Answer 16

questionnaires, surveys, interviews and rating scales

Question 17

what is a questionnaire?

Answer 17

set of questions structured to collect info about one of a number of topics

Question 18

what sampling techniques do questionnaires use? 4

Answer 18

volunteer, opportunity, self-selected, random

Question 19

what are 3 key points to writing a good questionnaire?

Answer 19

1. clarity= questions need to be clear and easy to understand, if question isn’t understood response is meaningless and reduces reliability and validity of answers
2. bias= leading questions encourage a desired answer= respondents don’t give their own opinion so no valid data
3. analysis= needs both quantitative and qualitative data to understand how ppl behave , the way the q is analyse depends if its open or closed

Question 20

what are closed questions?

Answer 20

questions that generate numerical data and can be analysed by descriptive stats, restricts respondents answers to a forced choice option

Question 21

what are the types of closed questions? 5

Answer 21

1. semantic differential scale= type of rating scale which measures p’s reaction to stimulus words or concepts using opposite scales
2. tick lists= respondent given range of answers and select applicable answers
3. select most appropriate answer= respondent given selection and chooses which one closest to them
4. rating and attitude scale= respondents asked to give number to represent feelings
5. likert scale= respondent given statement ad asked to indicate to the extent they agree/disagree

Question 22

what are 2 strengths of closed question?

Answer 22

1. produces numerical data, comparisons made more easily, more objective data can’t be misinterpreted
2. makes data more reliable, increase external reliability (repeatability)

Question 23

what are 2 weaknesses of closed questions?

Answer 23

1. respondent limited answers reducing insightful nature which reduces validity of their answers
2. Ps forced to chose certain options so lack interval validity as lacks insight

Question 24

open questions

Answer 24

invite respondent to answer in an away that doesn’t limit thoughts, feelings and opinions into categories

Question 25

what are 2 strengths of open ended questions?

Answer 25

1. researcher collects qualitative data which provides insight
2. in depth data increases internal validity

Question 26

what are two weaknesses of open questions?

Answer 26

1. difficult to make comparisons from data which effects reliability as response will be different
2. time consuming and subjective

Question 27

why are filler questions good?

Answer 27

reduces demand characteristics and social desirability bias (produce answer society would want0

Question 28

why are easy questions at the start good?

Answer 28

eases Ps in and reduces participant attrition also won’t answer accurately affecting validity

Question 29

why are pilot studies good for questionnaires?

Answer 29

to ensure clarity and improve reliability and validity of q’s

Question 30

what ethics are involved in questionnaires? 4

Answer 30

1. Ps shouldn’t be asked embarrassing questions (protection from psychological harm)
2. should keep Ps anonymous (confidentiality)
3. Ps should be aware after it’s submitted they no longer have (right to withdraw) (had at beginning)
4. (debrief) at the end and help on issues raised from answering q’s (protection from harm)

Question 31

what is an interview?

Answer 31

self report technique that involves experimenters asking P’s questions (generally one-on-one) and recording responses

Question 32

what are structured interviews?

Answer 32

pre-determined q’s set for p’s before interview takes place that don’t deviate from set q’s

Question 33

what are the strengths of structured interviews?

Answer 33

1. standardise which increases reliability

Question 34

what are the weaknesses of structured interviews?

Answer 34

1. ignores lines of interest
2. may miss important info
3. reduces internal validity