1.1 research methodologies Flashcards
define controlled experiments
an experimental investigation of the relationships between one or more IVs and a DV, controlling all other variables
what can u investigate in a controlled experiment
whether there is a cause-effect relationship between an IV and DV
Advantages of controlled experiments?
- Variables can be carefully controlled, manipulated, and measured so that a cause-effect relationship can be determined.
- Experiments can be replicated by other researchers in order to ensure the reliability of results.
disadvantages of controlled experiments
- Sometimes other variables (confounding variables) can affect the dependent variable which invalidates the results.
- Sometimes variables are not easily manipulated or measured, or there are too many variables to do so accurately.
- Some phenomena cannot be measured in a controlled environment.
- Lab setting can be unrealistic.
what’s a self-report?
A self-report is a participant’s answers to questions presented by the researcher
an example of a self-report?
For example, a self-report may be responses to questions about their beliefs or attitudes, feelings when experiencing certain emotions, how they behave in different situations, and so on.
In some cases, a self report may take the form of daily diary or journal records that are recorded by participants over a period of time.
advantages of a self-report?
- Self-reports are useful as some behaviours and opinions cannot be directly observed.
- Participant accounts can allow researchers to obtain data they otherwise couldn’t access.
disadvantages of self-reports?
- Data is subjective, which can be difficult to analyse and compare.
- People don’t always provide accurate responses. They may respond in a way they think the researcher wants them to, therefore impacting the validity of the results.
what’s an observational study?
An observational study involves collection of data by carefully watching and recording behaviour as it occurs without any intervention or manipulation of the behaviour being observed.
when is an observational study used?
The method is used to collect data in research when the behaviour under investigation is clearly visible and can be easily recorded.
advantages of observational studies?
- Observational studies can allow researchers to collect data in a naturalistic setting so that the behaviours they observe are more representative of what would occur (compared to a controlled experimental setting).
- Can also occur in controlled, laboratory settings, allowing the researcher to have an active involvement in the conditions of the setting and the procedures involved.
disadvantages of observational studies
- difficult for researchers to establish a causal relationship between variables, because they are unable to intervene to manipulate variables.
- The interpretation and recording data is subjective and therefore prone to experimenter bias.
what are case studies?
- an intensive, in-depth investigation of some behaviour, activity, eventor problem of interest in a single individual, group, organisation or situation.
- may involve any type of behaviour and/or mental process, over a short period of time or even many years.
advantages of case studies?
- Very detailed data can be collected, and research can gain a lot of insight into specific cases.
- Allows researchers to have a deeper understanding of the individual/s and the particular phenomena being studied
disadvantages of case studies?
- Only focused on an individual, or a small group of people, and as such it makes the findings of the case study difficult to generalize to a larger population (as the small sample size is not representative of the larger population).
- Some individuals studied through case studies often represent extreme cases which may not accurately represent normal functioning.
