Types of experiments and non-experimental method.

Question 1

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 1

An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV, whilst maintaining strict control of extraneous variables.

Question 2

Advantages of lab?

Answer 2

The researcher is able to control the variables. The experiment is reliable and can be replicated.

Question 3

Disadvantages of lab?

Answer 3

Results may be affected by investigator bias. It lacks ecological validity. Demand characteristics may occur.

Question 4

What is a field experiment?

Answer 4

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV

Question 5

Advantages of field.

Answer 5

high ecological validity, less chance of demand characteristics

Question 6

Disadvantages of field.

Answer 6

Low control over extraneous variables.
More difficult to replicate (lacks reliability).

Question 7

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 7

An experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there. The researcher records the effect on the DV.

Question 8

Advantages of natural?

Answer 8

High ecological validity.
Allows opportunity for research that might not otherwise be possible for practical or ethical reasons.

Question 9

Disadvantages of natural?

Answer 9

Low control over extraneous variables.
More difficult to replicate (lacks reliability).
Reduced opportunity for research because have to wait for the vairables.

Question 10

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 10

The IV is not determined by the researcher, it is naturally occurring, it cannot be changed and simply exists.

Question 11

Advantages of quasi?

Answer 11

+ IF in a lab, high control over extraneous variables
+Easy to replicate to check reliability.

Question 12

Disadvantages of quasi?

Answer 12

-No random allocation can create confounding variables
-IF in a lab, artificial conditions may reduce ecological validity
-Because IV has not been deliberately changed, harder to establish cause and effect.

Question 13

What is a single blind trial?

Answer 13

the participants are not aware of what condition they are in or the aim of the experiment. Reduces demand characteristics.

Question 14

What is a double blind trial?

Answer 14

Where the patients AND researchers don’t know the conditions the participants are in and a third party is overseeing the experiment.
This avoids demand characteristics and investigator effects.

Question 15

What is a control group?

Answer 15

The group whose results are the ‘normal’ and used for comparison.

Question 16

What are observations?

Answer 16

the process of gathering information about events or processes in a careful, orderly way

Question 17

Naturalistic observations?

Answer 17

observing and recording behaviour in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
-Greater ecological validity, can be generalised.
-Can’t control extraneous variables and not replicable.

Question 18

Controlled observations?

Answer 18

observations that take place in an environment where the extraneous variables are controlled.
-Easy to replicate and controls variables so can establish cause and effect.
-May not be able to generalise and demand characteristics.

Question 19

Participant observations?

Answer 19

The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
-More insight to lives could increase validity.
-Could lose objectivity.

Question 20

Non-participant observations?

Answer 20

The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
-Keeps objectivity.
-Lose insight and validity.

Question 21

Covert observations?

Answer 21

Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.
-No demand characteristics or social desirability bias.
-Ethical problems.

Question 22

Overt observations?

Answer 22

Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent.
-Ethically more acceptable but demand characteristics.

Question 23

Advantages of observations?

Answer 23

Captures peoples’ actual behaviour, not taking their word for what they say they will do.

Question 24

Disadvantages of observations?

Answer 24

-Bias in the recording of events viewed
-can be very time consuming
-Varying interpretations of behaviour.
-Cannot determine cause and effect.
-Can’t repeat conditions.

Question 25

What is a structured observation?

Answer 25

focuses on the main focus of the observation.

Question 26

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 26

everything seen is recorded. rich in detail and appropriate for small scale observations.

Question 27

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 27

When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable.
-It makes sure two observers will get the same results.
-Categories should be clear and not overlapping (smile and grin).

Question 28

What is event sampling?

Answer 28

A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs.
-Useful when behaviour happen infrequently.

Question 29

What is time sampling?

Answer 29

A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame. (every 60 seconds).
-Could be unrepresentative.

Question 30

What is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 30

There is consistency across examiners.
-Using one observer could create bias.
-Two observers should discuss the categories, do a pilot study and compare these results before the actual observation.

Question 31

What is a self report method?

Answer 31

A method which involves respondents reporting on their own behaviour, thoughts or feelings.

Question 32

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 32

-Pre Set Questions
-Distributed by post emailed or on the spot completion
-Closed Ended or Open Ended

Question 33

What are open questions?

Answer 33

-Does not have a fixed range of answers.
-Qualitative data.
-Harder to analyse but more detail.

Question 34

What are closed questions?

Answer 34

-Have a fixed range of answers and produce quantitative data.
-Easier to analyse but less detail.

Question 35

Strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 35

-Can distribute to a large number of people easily.
-Can be done without a researcher there.
-Straightforward to analyse.

Question 36

Limitations of questionnaires?

Answer 36

+ people can lie due to social desirability bias (type of demand characteristics)
+ response bias- answer in the same way e.g all yes or no etc. due to doing the questionnaire too quickly
+ Acquiescence bias- the tendency to say yes

Question 37

What is an interview?

Answer 37

An interview involves verbal communication between the researcher and the subject during which information is provided to the researcher.

Question 38

What is an structured interview?

Answer 38

Made up of predetermined questions in a fixed order

-Easy to replicate and reduces differences between participants.

-Not flexible, can’t ask random questions like in an unstructured interview. Answers lack detail which only generates quantitative data - can’t tell the reasons why a person behaves a certain way

Question 39

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 39

having an outline of questions to follow but with flexibility

Question 40

What is a unstructured interview?

Answer 40

Works like a conversation, no set questions, a topic is discussed but interaction is free flowing.

Question 41

Advantages of unstructured interviews?

Answer 41

greater flexibility for validity
there can be trust and rapport created between the interviewers and participant
Interviewers can adjust questions for sensitive topics, if it is getting uncomfortable for the participant.
group discussion can probe more of a in-depth discussion

Question 42

Disadvantages of unstructured interviews?

Answer 42

time consuming
expensive
difficult to replicate interviews, so can be seen a invalid
interviewer bias- ask different questions to try and get a certain answer from people.

Question 43

Advantages of interviews?

Answer 43

Offer detailed information
More accurate answers to sensitive questions
Rapport between interviewer and participant makes some topics easier to broach than in other settings

Question 44

Disadvantages of interviews?

Answer 44

Time consuming.
Social desirability bias.

Question 45

What is a likert scale?

Answer 45

The Likert Scale is an ordered, one-dimensional scale from which respondents choose one option that best aligns with their view.
EXAMPLE: strongly disagree, somewhat disagree,neutral,somewhat agree, strongly agree.

Question 46

What is a rating scale?

Answer 46

A rating scale lists an ordered series of categories of a variable that are assumed to be based on an underlying continuum.

Ex. Rate your pain on a 1 - 10 scale with 10 being the worst….

Question 47

What is a fixed choice option?

Answer 47

Includes a list of possible options and respondents are required to indicate those that apply to them

Question 48

What is an interview schedule?

Answer 48

The list of questions that will be asked in the interview and in what order.

Question 49

How should interviews be conducted?

Answer 49

-Quiet room.
-Ask neutral questions in order to make them feel comfortable.
-Remind them of confidentiality.

Question 50

How to ask good research questions?

Answer 50

-Don’t use technical terms.
-Avoid emotive language and leading questions. These may make the participant feel uncomfortable in sharing their true opinion.
-Avoid double barrel questions as they could only agree with half.
-Avoid double negatives as they can confuse.