Research Methods Specificatiom Flashcards
(20 cards)
Ethics
Ethics, including the role of British psychological societies code of ethics; ethical issues in the design and the conduct of psychological studies; dealing with ethical issues in research (DDRIPP)
Sampling
Sampling: the difference between population and sample; sampling techniques, including: random, systematic, stratified opportunity and volunteer; implications of sampling techniques, bias, and generalisation.
The experimental methods
Aims: stating aims, the difference between aims and hypothesis
Experimental design
Experimental designs: repeated measures, independent groups, matched pairs
Experimental methods
Experimental methods: types of experiment, laboratory and field experiments; natural and quasi experiments
Pilot studies
Pilot studies and the aim of piloting
Observational design
Observational techniques. Types of observation: naturalistic and controlled observation; covet and observation; participant and non-participant observation.
Questionnaires
Self report techniques. Questionnaires: interviews, structured and unstructured.
Case studies
Case studies: unusual individuals or events qualitative data and quantitative; longitudinal
Content analysis
Placing into categories and counting: The difference between content and thematic analysis
Correlations
Analysis of the relationship between covariables. The difference between correlation and experiments.
Types of data
Quantitative and qualitative data; the distinction between qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.
Descriptive statistics
Measures of central tendency – mean, median, mode; calculation of mean median and mode; measures of dispersion; range and standard deviation. Calculation of range; calculation of percentages; positive, negative and zero correlations.
Graphs and distributions
Presentation on display of quantitive data: graphs, tables, scattergrams, bar chart, histograms. Distributions: normal and skewed distributions characteristics of normal and skewed distributions.
Math skills
Recognise and use expressions in decimal in standard form; use ratios, fractions and percentages; estimate results; use an appropriate number of significant figures; find arithmetic means; make order of magnitude calculations; and use symbols, solve simple algebra
Peer review and the economy
The role of peer review in the scientific process.
The implications of psychological research for the economy.
Statistical testing, probability and errors
Probability and significance: use of statistical tables and critical values in interpretation of significance; type one and type two errors
Choosing a statistical test
Factors affecting the choice of statistical test, including level of measurement and experimental design. When to use the following test: spearman’s ro, Pearson, Wilcoxson, Mann Whitney, related t test, unrelated t test and Square test
Sign test
Introduction to statistical testing; the sign test. When to use the sign test
Chai squared
Factors affecting the choice of statistical test, including level of measurement and experimental design. When to use the following tests: spearman’s Mann’s rho, Pearson r, Wilcoxson, Mann Whitney, related t test and Chai Square test.
