research methods used

Question 1

correlational designs

Answer 1

identifies a relationship between variables

Question 2

correlation strengths

Answer 2

• a good starting point for further research
• can be used if experiments aren’t practical

Question 3

correlation weaknesses

Answer 3

• no cause and effect can be established
• extraneous variables may be the cause

Question 4

experimental design

Answer 4

careful manipulation of a independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable

Question 5

experimental strengths

Answer 5

• can determine cause and effect
• no extraneous variable, highly controlled

Question 6

experimental weaknesses

Answer 6

• low ecological validity
• low population validity

Question 7

cross sectional design

Answer 7

children of different ages are observed at a single point in time

Question 8

cross sectional strengths

Answer 8

• less time consuming
• provides a quick estimate of changes with age

Question 9

cross sectional weaknesses

Answer 9

• only describes age differences
• doesn’t identify cause and effect

Question 10

longitudinal designs

Answer 10

more than one observation of the same group f children is made at different points in their development

Question 11

longitudinal strengths

Answer 11

• allows for within person changes
• allows for between person changes

Question 12

longitudinal weaknesses

Answer 12

• high drop out rate
• population bias, not generalisable

Question 13

sequential designs

Answer 13

participants of different ages are followed up over time
a combination of cross sectional and longitudinal designs

Question 14

sequential strengths

Answer 14

• measures individual differences
• measures changes over time

Question 15

sequential weaknesses

Answer 15

• can’t establish cause and effect

Question 16

observational studies

Answer 16

behaviour is observed and recorded
researcher doesn’t attempt to influence indivduals natural behaviour

Question 17

observational strengths

Answer 17

• high ecological validity
• inexpensive

Question 18

observational weaknesses

Answer 18

• subjective
• Hawthorne effect

Question 19

case studies

Answer 19

in-depth data collection of an individual

Question 20

case study strengths

Answer 20

• rich source of data
• good for studying unique behaviours

Question 21

case study weaknesses

Answer 21

• subjective so low reliability
• low generalisability

Question 22

cross cultural comparisons

Answer 22

studying and comparing individuals from different ethnic groups to understand similarities and differences across cultures

Question 23

cross cultural comparison strengths

Answer 23

• reduces ethnocentrism
• can study universal behaviours

Question 24

cross cultural comparison weaknesses

Answer 24

• language barrier
• researcher bias

Question 25

right to withdraw

Answer 25

participants should be aware that they can lave the study at any time

Question 26

informed consent

Answer 26

all participants should understand fully all aspects of research before the agree to take part

Question 27

confidentiality

Answer 27

participants have the right to expect that all data collected during a research study will remain anonymous and confidential

Question 28

protection from harm

Answer 28

participants should be protected from physical and mental harm, risk of harm should be no grater than that to which they are exposed to in everyday life

Question 29

debrief

Answer 29

after completing reteach, the true aim is revealed to the participant the aim of debriefing is to return the person to the state they were in before they took part