1B - Planning and conducting investigations (Part 1) Flashcards
Plan and conduct investigations
Sampling techniques
involves procedures for selecting participants form the population
Convenience sampling
involves selecting readily available members of the population, rather than using a random or stratified approach
Experimental group
the group the is exposed to the independent variable and receives the experimental treatment
Investigation designs
a framework that determines how participants experience the experimental and control conditions.
What is the purpose of planning and conducting investigations?
To determine appropriate investigation methodology and design effective studies.
List some appropriate investigation methodologies.
- Case study
- Classification and identification
- Controlled experiment
- Correlational study
- Fieldwork
- Literature review
- Modelling
- Product, process or system development
- Simulation
What factors should be considered when designing an investigation?
- Sampling technique (random and stratified)
- Sample size
- Equipment and procedures
- Potential sources of error and uncertainty
Define ‘population’ in the context of research.
The wider group of people that a study is investigating.
What is a ‘sample’?
The smaller group of people selected from the population who will be participants in the investigation.
What is the difference between primary data and secondary data?
- Primary data: Data collected firsthand for the specific purpose of the investigation.
- Secondary data: Data that was collected by someone else for a different purpose.
True or False: A sample should always be the same size as the population.
False.
What is random sampling?
Selecting participants from the population in such a way that each member has an equal chance of being selected.
Why is a large sample size important?
To ensure the sample is representative of the population and to minimize individual participant variables affecting the results.
What is stratified sampling?
Dividing the population into subgroups and randomly selecting participants from each subgroup in proportion to their representation in the population.
Identify two strengths of random sampling.
- Improves external validity if large enough
- Reduces bias in selection
What are the limitations of stratified sampling?
- Difficult or impossible to obtain names of all population members
- More time-consuming than random sampling
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the group that a researcher aims to provide conclusions about.
population
What should be included when describing a sample?
- Number of participants
- Age
- Sex
- Location
- Other relevant characteristics
What is the significance of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)?
It is the peak body for psychologists in Australia, promoting the discipline and profession of psychology.
How does a researcher ensure a sample is representative of the population?
By using appropriate sampling techniques and ensuring the sample size is adequate.
What is the main difference between a sample and a population?
A sample consists of participants selected from the population, who participate in the investigation, while a population is the wider group of people that the researcher is interested in understanding.
What is the most important requirement when using a random sampling technique?
Each member of the population must have an equal opportunity of being selected.
How is a sample chosen by the stratified sampling technique?
The population is divided into specific strata or subgroups based on characteristics, and participants are selected from each subgroup in proportion to their presence in the population.
What is a controlled experiment?
A controlled experiment involves an investigation of the relationship between one or more independent variables (IVs) and a dependent variable (DV), with all other variables controlled.
What is the purpose of a control group?
The control group forms a baseline level to compare with the experimental group.
What does random allocation mean in research?
Random allocation involves dividing the sample into groups so that each participant has an equal chance of being placed into the experimental group or the control group.
List three strengths of controlled experiments.
- Identify cause-and-effect relationships between IV and DV
- Results may be generalized to the population of interest
- Can be repeated to gather more data and test reliability
List three limitations of controlled experiments.
- Difficult to maintain controlled conditions
- Participant behavior may be influenced by the artificial setting
- External validity may be low if conditions are too artificial
What is the main characteristic of a between subjects design?
Participants are randomly allocated to either the control or the experimental condition.
What is the main characteristic of a within subjects design?
All participants in the sample complete both the experimental and control conditions.
List two strengths of a within subjects design.
- No extraneous variable of participant variables between groups
- Fewer participants are needed compared to a between subjects design
List two limitations of a within subjects design.
- More time-consuming because both conditions cannot be tested at the same time
- Higher rate of participant withdrawal due to multiple measurements
What is a mixed design in research?
A mixed design combines elements of both between subjects and within subjects designs.
What is the advantage of using a mixed design?
A mixed design may reduce some limitations of each individual design while combining their strengths.
What is the role of allocation in research?
Allocation involves dividing a sample into different groups required for the study.
True or False: A control group is necessary to see the natural baseline levels of the dependent variable.
True
Fill in the blank: A _______ is the group that is exposed to the independent variable and receives the experimental treatment.
[Experimental group]
Fill in the blank: A _______ is the group that forms a baseline level to compare the experimental group with.
[Control group]
What is the purpose of a pre-test in an experimental design?
To determine participants’ baseline scores before the intervention.
What does a post-test measure in an experimental design?
Whether participants’ scores improved after the intervention.
What is a case study?
An investigation of a particular activity, behaviour, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes real-world complexities.
What are the strengths of case studies?
- Useful with limited participants
- Ethical for rare situations
- Provide rich qualitative data
- Basis for further research
What are the limitations of case studies?
- Low external validity
- Researcher bias
- Not repeatable
- Time consuming
What is classification and identification in research?
A type of investigation that involves arranging phenomena into manageable sets and recognizing phenomena as belonging to a particular set.
What are the strengths of classification and identification?
- Narrows focus of research
- Allows for efficient information processing
- Helps make predictions
What are the limitations of classification and identification?
- Can lead to stereotyping
- Subjective criteria
- Requires large amounts of information
What is a correlational study?
An investigation involving planned observation to understand relationships between variables without manipulation.
What are the interpretations of correlation in a correlational study?
- Positive correlation
- Negative correlation
- Zero correlation
How is the strength of a correlation measured?
Using correlation coefficients such as Pearson’s r.
What is a positive correlation?
A relationship where both variables increase or decrease together.
What is a negative correlation?
A relationship where an increase in one variable results in a decrease in the other variable.
What is a zero correlation?
Indicates no relationship between the variables.
What are the strengths of correlational studies?
- Determine direction and strength of relationships
- Gather initial information
- Observe real-life behaviours
What are the limitations of correlational studies?
- Correlation does not imply causation
- Bi-directional relationships
- Requires large amounts of data
Fill in the blank: A _______ study involves planned observation and recording of events and behaviours that have not been manipulated.
correlational
True or False: In correlational studies, the variables are controlled by the experimenters.
False
What does a controlled experiment aim to find out?
To determine causal relationships between variables.
When would a researcher choose to use a case study instead of a controlled experiment?
When in-depth understanding of a specific case is needed, or when controlled experiments are not feasible.
What is the difference between classification and identification?
Classification groups items based on shared characteristics, while identification determines the specific characteristics of an item.
When is a correlational study used instead of a controlled experiment?
When researchers seek to identify relationships between variables without manipulating them.
What is fieldwork?
Research method
Collects data through observation
Involves interaction with the environment
What types of data can be collected through fieldwork?
- Qualitative data
- Quantitative data
What are the methods used in fieldwork?
- Direct qualitative and/or quantitative observations
- Sampling
- Participant observation
- Qualitative interviews
- Questionnaires
- Focus groups
- Yarning circles
What is participant observation?
A method where the researcher becomes an active participant in the group being studied.
What are the two types of participant observation?
- Disguised (undercover)
- Overt (participants are aware of the researcher)
Describe a strength of using a correlational study over a controlled experiment.
A correlational study does not require extra procedures to control for extraneous variables.
Which investigation methodology would be more useful for studying the impact of weather on driver behavior?
Correlational study.
