research methods-book 3

Question 1

What is reliability?

Answer 1

The consistency of research findings by replicating a study.
Produces consistent results.

Question 2

What are the two ways of assessing reliability?

Answer 2

• Test and retest.
• Inter-observer.

Question 3

What is test and retest reliability?

Answer 3

Do the test once and repeat with the same participants.
-standardised

Question 4

What is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 4

Completed in observations.
Multiple observers record data and then compare and correlate results.
Observers have to reach an agreement.

Question 5

How does the test and retest method assess reliability?

Answer 5

The scores from both tests are then correlated.
Looking for the relationship between co-variables.
Analyse correlating through a statistical test. To determine the level of significance.

Question 6

How does the inter-observer method assess reliability?

Answer 6

Avoids any bias as results are discussed.
Makes results more trustworthy.

Question 7

How can you improve reliability?

Answer 7

• Questionnaires
• Interviews
• Observations
• Experiments

Question 8

How can you improve reliability in questionnaires?

Answer 8

Test and retest - same participants and same set of questions.
- Consistent questions/ standardised procedures will produce similar results.

Question 9

How can you improve reliability in interviews?

Answer 9

Inter-observer - same interviewer and use a structured interview.
- Observer would agree on a set criteria to observe. = behavioural categories and produces consistent results.

Question 10

How can you improve reliability in observations?

Answer 10

Inter-observer - operationalised variables = clear outline of the variables.
- Observers agree a set of behavioural categories and are clear on what is being measured and can agree on the outcome.

Question 11

How can you improve reliability in experiments?

Answer 11

Test and retest - standardised procedure = conditions/participants are the same.
- Consistent method that can be replicated.

Question 12

What is the ink blot test?

Answer 12

Rorschach’s ink blot test tested personality.
Personality is an abstract (different) concept.
Aim is to reveal a persons unconscious wishes, desires and thoughts.

Question 13

How can the ink blot test be seen as unreliable?

Answer 13

Subjective and produces inconsistent results.
Test and retest would not work.

Question 14

How could we assess the reliability of the ink blot test?

Answer 14

• Questionnaire
• Content analysis - theme/category

Question 15

Explain how Aubrey should test the reliability of questionnaires?
(3 marks)

Answer 15

A way Aubrey could test the reliability of the questionnaire is by using test and retest. This is because a questionnaire is easily repeated as it can use the same set of questions at two different points. The data from both questionnaires can be correlated to determine the reliability of the questionnaire.

Question 16

What is validity?

Answer 16

“trustworthy”
Has the researcher actually measured what it claims to - hypothesis.

Question 17

What are the two types of validity?

Answer 17

• External validity
• Internal validity

Question 18

What is internal validity?

Answer 18

The extent to which the results are due to the tested variable rather than extraneous variables.

Question 19

What is external validity?

Answer 19

When results can be generalised (be applied) to other people, settings and over time.

Question 20

What is high internal validity?
“good”

Answer 20

Means the extraneous variable is well controlled.
The independent variable produces the change in the dependent variable.

Question 21

What is low internal validity?
“bad”

Answer 21

Extraneous variable has not been controlled.
The change in the dependent variable could be because of something other than the independent variable.

Question 22

What are the two ways of assessing internal validity?

Answer 22

• Face validity
• Concurrent validity

Question 23

What is face validity?

Answer 23

Look at the test and the results to see if it “looks” valid.

Question 24

What is concurrent validity?

Answer 24

The extent or checking that a measure relates to an existing similar measure.

Question 25

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 25

Where one co variable increases as then other increases.

Question 26

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 26

Where one co variable increases as another decreases.

Question 27

What is a zero correlation?

Answer 27

The variables are not linked at all.

Question 28

What is correlation?

Answer 28

An association between two continuous variables and it determines the extent of an association between two variables.

Question 29

What are co-variables?

Answer 29

Co-variables indicate two or more quantities being measured in a correlation by the researcher that may or may not vary with each other.

Question 30

What is correlation co-efficient?

Answer 30

Expressed as a numerical value. +1 positive correlation -1 negative correlation 0 zero correlation

Question 31

correlation vs experiments

Answer 31

Experiments assess the effect of one variable (IV) on the DV.

Question 32

Strengths of correlations. AO3

Answer 32

Able to research naturally occurring variables, research sensitive/unethical topics as no manipulation of variables is needed. Allows researchers to identify a link between co-variables to be further researched.

Question 33

Limitations of correlations. AO3

Answer 33

No cause and effect. As a correlation does not identify which variable impacts which. Only looks at two variables.

Question 34

What is peer review?

Answer 34

A system for checking research papers before publishing.

Question 35

Why is peer review used?

Answer 35

To check quality and validity.

Question 36

What are the five stages of peer review?

Answer 36

- Submission - Blind review - Peer review evaluation - Editor's decision - Publication

Question 37

What happens in the first stage of peer review?

Answer 37

Submission: The process begins when a researcher completes a study and writes a paper summarising their research, methods, results and conclusions. The researcher then submits the paper to an academic journal specialising in the relevant field of psychology.

Question 38

What happens in the second stage of peer review?

Answer 38

Blind review: Peer review is often conducted anonymously, known as a "blind review". This means that the identities of both the author and the reviewers are kept confidential.

Question 39

What happens in the third stage of peer review?

Answer 39

Peer Review Evaluation: Peer reviewers thoroughly examine the paper, evaluating its methodology, data analysis, results and conclusions. They provide constructive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the study, identify any flaws or areas for improvement and assess the overall contribution to the field.

Question 40

What happens in the fourth stage of peer review?

Answer 40

Editor's Decision: Based on the feedback from the peer reviewers, the editor decides about whether to accept the paper, request revisions, or reject it. If revisions are requested, the author must address the reviewers' comments and submit a revised version for further evaluation.

Question 41

What happens in the fifth stage of peer review?

Answer 41

Publication: Once the paper meets the journal's standards and the editor is satisfied with the revisions, the paper is accepted for publication. It becomes part of the scientific literature and is made available to the academic community.

Question 42

Strengths of peer review? AO3

Answer 42

Anonymous process = more honest feedback and is unbiased.

Question 43

Limitations of peer review? AO3

Answer 43

Publication bias = preference to publish positive results or "headline grabber". - False impression of psychology. Burying ground breaking research = critical of research that contridicts their own and established psychologists are more likely to be published.

Question 44

What are case studies?

Answer 44

- Produces qualitative data. - An in-depth investigation, description and analysis is of an individual, group of people or event. - Can convert into quantitative data through content analysis. - Can include primary (research you conduct) and secondary (used previous research to inform your own) data.

Question 45

Strengths of case studies. AO3

Answer 45

Investigate events or behaviours that are rare or unethical. Generate hypotheses for future studies.

Question 46

Limitations of case studies. AO3

Answer 46

Sample size is limited. Not representative of the wider population. Not always accurate = subjective/bias. No emperical methods.

Question 47

Examples of case studies in psychology.

Answer 47

1) Little Albert (conditioning and learning) - Background: Conducted by John B Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920. - Case study: Little Albert, a 9 month old baby, was exposed to a white rat and other stimuli. Initially, he showed no fear, but through classical conditioning, he developed a fear response to the rat and similar objects. 2) HM (memory) - Background: Henry Molaison, known as HM, had portions of his medical temporal lobes removed surgically to treat epilepsy in the 1950's. - Case study: HM experienced severe amnesia after the surgery. This case helped researchers understand the role of the hippocampus in the formation of new memories. 3) Phineas Gage (biopsychology) - Background: Phineas Gage survived a severe brain injury in 1848 when an iron rod penetrated his skull and damaged his frontal lobes. - Case study: Changes in Gage's personality and behaviour following the injury provided insights into the role of the frontal lobes in personality and impulse control. 4) Little Hans