(4) NON-EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

Question 1

What counts as an experiment?

Answer 1

Has to have independent and dependent variables

Question 2

Define the correlation method

Answer 2

The correlation method:
• Includes finding correlation between two co-variables
• No variables or experimental design
• Correlation coefficients
○ Positive correlation <0
§ Weak positive 0<x<0.5
§ Strong positive 0.5<x<1
○ Negative correlation >0
§ Weak negative -0.5<x<0
§ Strong negative -1<x<-0.5
○ Zero correlation = 0

Question 3

Give pros and cons of the correlation method

Answer 3

• PROS:
○ Allows predictions to be made
○ Good way to find info when experiments are too unethical and hard to do
• CONS:
○ No cause and effect established
○ Other variables can be involved (third variable)

Question 4

Define the two types of observations

Answer 4

Observational method:
• Definition
○ Naturalistic
§ Observing human/animals in their natural environment
○ Controlled
§ Observing behaviour within a structured environment
§ Extraneous variables managed

Question 5

Give the 4 types of naturalistic observations and the pros and cons of each

Answer 5

§ Three types:
□ Overt - participants behaviour watched with consent
® PROS
◊ Consent obtained - no ethical issues
® CONS
◊ Demand characteristics
} Less valid results
□ Covert - participants don’t know they’re being observed, must be public
® PROS
◊ No demand characteristics
® CONS
◊ Ethical issue
□ Participant observation - psychologist joins group he is studying
® PROS
◊ High ecological validity
◊ Can get a lot of detail
® CONS
◊ Reliability problems because observer bias
◊ Psychologist’s presence in group could change group behaviour
□ Non participant observation - watching from afar
® PROS
◊ Psychologist outside of group - remain objective with no bias
® CONS
◊ Likely to be done covertly
} Ethical issues