research methods-book 2 Flashcards
(42 cards)
What are observations?
Watching and recording behaviour.
Why do psychologists use observations?
- To study natural behaviour without demand characteristics.
- Natural setting.
- Study behaviour where is would be unethical.
What are the six types of observations?
- Naturalistic.
- Controlled.
- Covert.
- Overt.
- Participant.
- Non participant.
What are naturalistic observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
Watching and recording of behaviour in the setting it would normally occur.
Strengths:
- High ecological validity - applied to everyday life.
Weaknesses:
- Cannot be replicated.
- No control over confounding variables.
What are controlled observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment.
Strengths:
- More control over confounding and extraneous variables.
- Replication is easier so is a replicable method.
Weaknesses:
- Demand characteristics.
What are covert observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
Participants behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.
Strengths:
- Natural behaviours increases the ecological validity.
Weaknesses:
- Unethical = no consent.
What are overt observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
Participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent.
Strengths:
- Ethical = consent.
Weaknesses:
- Demand characteristics.
What are participant observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching.
Strengths:
- External validity = greater insight into behaviour.
Weaknesses:
- Lack objectivity (facts) as researcher identifies with the group = leads to bias.
What are non participant observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching.
Strengths:
- Remains objective = sticks to the facts.
What are the two observational designs?
- Unstructured observation.
- Structured observation.
What are unstructured observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
Researcher writes everything they see down.
Produce accounts of behaviour in rich detail - qualitative data.
Strengths:
- Qualitative data.
- Detailed information - but this can be difficult to analyse.
Weaknesses:
- Greater risk of observer bias - put own opinions on the data.
What are structured observations and the strengths and weaknesses?
Simplify the target behaviours that are the main focus by using behavioural categories.
Strengths:
- Produces quantitative data (numerical) which makes comparisons easier.
Weaknesses:
- Time consuming to make behavioural categories.
What are behavioural categories and the strengths and weaknesses?
Organising behaviours being observed into categories to tally.
Strengths:
- Data is more objective (fact).
Weaknesses:
- Difficult to separate categories or decide what is needed.
What are the two types of sampling methods within observations?
- Event sampling.
- Time sampling.
What is event sampling and the strengths and weaknesses?
Observer watches and records all instances of behaviour during an event. e.g. break/lunch time.
Strengths:
- Behaviour will not be missed.
Weaknesses:
- Reduced reliability as it is difficult to record everything and could not be repeated.
What is time sampling and the strengths and weaknesses?
Observer records behaviours at set intervals of time. e.g. every 5 minutes.
Strengths:
- Accurate results for the time frame.
Weaknesses:
- Not representative as behaviours could be missed.
What is a self-report technique?
A method where a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviours or experience on a topic.
What are the two types of interviews?
- Structured interviews.
- Unstructured interviews.
What are structured interviews and the strengths and weaknesses?
- Standardised (same) procedure.
- Questions planned in advance.
- Best for comparisons.
- Replicable.
Strengths: - Comparisons.
- Replicable because of standardised procedure = reliable.
Weaknesses: - Limits the detail of the data collected as no deviation can happen.
What are unstructured interviews and the strengths and weaknesses?
-Interview can deviate - go off topic or ask follow up questions.
- Best for explanation.
Strengths:
- Flexible - gather detailed data (qualitative data).
Weaknesses:
- Interview bias - misleading questions.
- Social desirability - act a certain way to be liked - interviewee could lie.
What is a questionnaire?
A set of questions to assess a persons thoughts or experiences.
Used to assess the dependent variable.
What are the two types of questions?
- Open questions.
- Closed questions.
What are the strengths of questionnaires?
- Cost effective.
- Quick to produce.
- Large amounts of data quickly.
- Researcher doesn’t need to be present.
- Analysis is quick.
What are the weaknesses of questionnaires?
- Participants may not understand the questions.
- Might lie (demand characteristics) or not complete correctly.
- Acquiescence bias - agree with items on the questionnaire regardless of the content.
