1.1 Research methods and techniques

Question 1

Laboratory Experiment

Answer 1

An experiment conducted under highly controlled conditions.

Question 2

Field Experiment

Answer 2

Is carried out in the everyday environment (i.e. real life) of the participants. The experimenter still manipulates the IV, but the researcher has no control over extraneous variables.

Question 3

Quasi Experiment

Answer 3

Where the IV can’t be directly manipulated because it already exists but experimenters look at the effects of the DV.

Question 4

Structured Observation

Question 5

Unstructured Observation

Question 6

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 6

A research method where the participant’s behaviour is studied in their natural environment.

Question 7

Controlled Observation

Answer 7

Participant’s behaviour is usually observed in a controlled environment (laboratory) where the researcher can manipulate the IV.

Question 8

Participant Observation

Answer 8

The researcher observes people while participating in their activities.

Question 9

Non-Participant Observation

Answer 9

The researcher observes people without participating in their activities.

Question 10

Overt Observation

Answer 10

The researcher is open with their participants about observing their behaviour. The participant’s know that they are being studied.

Question 11

Covert Observation

Answer 11

The participants are unaware of the presence of the researcher and they are NOT made aware that their behaviour is being observed.

Question 12

Questionnaire

Answer 12

A set of written questions with a choice of answers, devised for the purposes of a survey or statistical study.

Question 13

Structured Interview

Answer 13

Each interview is presented with exactly the same questions in the same order and the researcher aims to obtain quantitative data.

Question 14

Semi-structured Interview

Question 15

Unstructured Interview

Answer 15

Questions in this style of interview are not prearranged. The data obtained from this style of interview is usually qualitative.

Question 16

Obtaining data for correctional analysis

Answer 16

The measure of the extent to which two variables are related.

Question 17

Positive correlation

Answer 17

An increase in one variable tends to be associated with an increase in the other.

Question 18

Negative correlation

Answer 18

An increase in one variable tends to be associated with a decrease in the other.

Question 19

No correlation

Answer 19

There is no relationship between two variables.