1.1 Research methods and techniques Flashcards
1
Q
define laboratory experiment
A
- takes place in an artificial controlled environment
- the IV is manipulated by the researcher
- DV is measured
2
Q
what is a strength of a lab experiment?
A
- high control over extraneous variables means that there is a high internal validity
- more scientific because it is easier to repeat due to being carried out in such a controlled setting
- more able to assume cause and effect relationships
3
Q
what is a weakness of a lab experiment?
A
- it is an artificial situation, it has low external validity
- findings can’t be generalised to real-life situations
- participant effects such as demand characteristics can occur
4
Q
define field experiment
A
- takes place in the real world
- the IV is manipulated by the researcher
5
Q
what is a strength of a field experiment?
A
- high external validity as findings can be generalised to other real life settings
- less demand characteristics so participants are usually unaware
6
Q
what is a weakness of a field experiment?
A
- low internal validity because there is no control over extraneous variables. There is a higher chance that extraneous variables could be affecting the DV not the IV
- less scientific as its difficult to replicate precisely
- less able to assume cause and effect
7
Q
define quasi experiment
A
- the IV is not manipulated and is usually just pre-existing
- can take place in a lab, field or natural setting
8
Q
what is a strength of a quasi experiment?
A
- allows you to study variables experimentally which are impossible or unethical to manipulate
- sometimes has greater ecological validity since a natural change occurs in a natural environment
9
Q
what is a weakness of a quasi experiment?
A
- hard to infer cause and effect due to little control over extraneous variables and no direct manipulation of the independent variable
- virtually impossible to replicate
- bias if participants are aware of what is being studied
10
Q
what are the types of observation?
A
- structured
- unstructured
- natrualistic
- controlled
- participant
- non-participant
- overt
- covert
11
Q
define structured observation
A
- a systematic method of collecting behavioural data within a controlled environment
- this is where you have pre-determined categories of behaviour that you use to observe
12
Q
what is strength of a structured observation?
A
- researchers are focused on specific behaviours which reduces expense and time
13
Q
what is a weakness of a structured observation?
A
- can be used only in limited research settings
- there are limits to sample size
14
Q
define unstructured observation
A
the researcher may want to write down everything that they see
15
Q
what is a strength of an unstructured observation?
A
- produces data rich in detail
- valid since the researcher can be in control of whats being recorded
- the researcher has a good understanding of the behaviour shown
16
Q
what is a weakness of an unstructured observation?
A
- difficult to analyse
- hard to replicate
- difficult to record all behaviou, researcher may be overloaded with information
17
Q
define naturalistic observation
A
a research method in which behaviours seen in the participants normal environments are recorded without interference from the researchers
18
Q
what is a strength of a naturalistic observation?
A
- high external validity and mundane realism because you are measuring people as they naturally would in real life situations
19
Q
what is a weakness of a naturalistic observation?
A
- has low control and low internal validity
- you cannot control extraneous variables as you are observing people in their natural environment
20
Q
define controlled observation
A
carried out in a lab in highly controlled conditions, the researcher will watch and record the behaviour within a structured environment
21
Q
what is a strength of a controlled observation?
A
- has high control and high internal validity
- you can control extraneous variables
22
Q
what is a weakness of a controlled observation?
A
- has low ecological validity as the behaviour measured is not in a real life setting
- demand characteristics are higher
23
Q
define participant observation
A
an observation made by someone who is also participating in the activity or group being observed
24
Q
what is a strength of a participant observation?
A
- more detailed and in depth observation allowing the researcher a deeper insight into participants behaviour
25
what is a weakness of a participant observation?
- participants may realise the researcher is present which could change the way they act and increase demand characteristics
26
define non-participant observation
observation made by someone who is not participating in the activity being observed
27
what is a strength of a non-participant observation?
more objective as the researcher is unable to influence them in any way
28
what is a weakness of a non-participant observation?
- participants may not wish to be observed
- less insight into behaviours being observed
29
define overt observation
participants have knowledge of being observed and the researcher is clearly visible
30
what is a strength of an overt observation?
- less concern with ethical issues as participants can give informed consent and know they are being watched
31
what is a weakness of an overt observation?
- participants know they are being watched so this can affect the validity as they may change their behaviour and respond to demand characteristics
32
define covert observation
participants do not have knowledge of being observed
33
what is a strength of a covert observation?
- more likely to show natural behaviours as participants are unaware and can't respond to demand characteristics
34
what is a weakness of a covert observation?
- has low control and low internal validity
- you cannot control extraneous variables as you are observing people in their natural environment
35
what are the 2 types of self report?
- questionnaire
- interview
36
what is a strength of a questionnaire?
- participants are more likely to tell the truth
- good at collecting a lot of data from a lot of people at once
37
what is a weakness of a questionnaire?
- people might not understand the questions so leave it blank
- sample is biased
38
define unstructured interview
usually one starter question and some areas to be covered, but then creates new questions in response to the answers given by the participant
39
what is a strength of an unstructured interview?
- highly personalised to the individual as questions are totally based on participants responses
40
what is a weakness of an unstructured interview?
- low reliability as each participant will have different interviews, the same questions are not asked to each participant
41
define semi-structured interview
there are pre-set questions but additional questions can be created by the researcher in response to the participants answers on pre-set questions
42
what is a strength of a semi-structured interview?
- it is personalised to the individual as questions are based on the participants responses
- the interview is less formal so the participants might be more open
43
what is a weakness of a semi-structured interview?
- low reliability as each participant will have different interviews, the same questions are not asked to each participant
44
define structured interview
questions are pre-set and the interviewer must stick strictly to the script
45
what is a strength of a structured interview?
- high reliability as each participant has the same interview questions
46
what is a weakness of a structured interview?
- less personalised to the individual as the questions are all pre-set
- there is no opportunity for the participant to add anything they think is relevant and some things could be missed
47
define correlation
an association that is found between two variables
48
what is a strength of a correlation?
- can use a line of best fit to make assumptions about larger sample sizes
- you can use smaller samples to make predictions about a larger sample
49
what is a weakness of a correlation?
- cannot infer cause and effect because you cannot be sure that one variable causes the other variable to change
50
how do you obtain data for correlational analysis?
there is no iv or dv so the data must be naturally occuring
- questionnaire
- interview
51
what is a positive correlation?
both variables go in the same direction at the same time
52
what is a negative correlation?
the variables go in different directions
53
what is no correlation?
there is no relationship between the two variables
54
what is correlation coefficient?
assessing the extent to which co-variables are correlated ( a number )
perfectly positively correlated variables have a correlation coefficient of +1.0
perfectly negatively correlated variables have a correlation coefficient of -1.0
