A2 research methods

Question 1

what is content analysis

Answer 1

• method used to analyse qualitative data

- allowed researcher to transform it to quantitative data

Question 2

what does the researcher conducting a content analysis use

Answer 2

coding units

Question 3

what are coding units

Answer 3

categories that a researcher looks for to tally

Question 4

what is the procedure for content analysis

Answer 4

• data is collected
• researcher reads through or examines data
• researcher identifies coding units
• data is analyses by applying coding units
• tally is made of the number of times that a coding unit appears

Question 5

what is thematic analysis

Answer 5

• method for analysing qualitative data

- involves identifying and reporting patterns within the material

Question 6

how does thematic analysis work (method)

Answer 6

• make transcription of the interview
• use coding units to initially analyse the transcript
• review the coding units to look for themes

Question 7

what are the strengths of content analysis

Answer 7

+reliable way to analyse qualitative data as the coding units are not open to interpretation and so are applied in the same way over time and with different researchers
+it is an easy technique to use and is not too time consuming
+it allows a statistical analysis to be conducted if required as there is usually quantitative data as a result of the procedure

Question 8

what are the weakness of content analysis

Answer 8

• causality cannot be established as it merely describes the data
• as it only describes the data, it cannot extract any deeper meaning or explanation for the data patterns arising

Question 9

what are case studies

Answer 9

the detailed investigation of a single individual or group or institution

Question 10

what experiment methods provide qualitative data

Answer 10

interviews, observations

Question 11

what experiment methods provide quantitative data

Answer 11

questionnaires, experiments

Question 12

what are longitudinal case studies

Answer 12

studies that last a long period of time.

psychologists are able to observe changes over time

Question 13

what are the strengths of case studies

Answer 13

+case studies create opportunities for a rich yield of data, depth of analysis can bring high levels of validity
+studying abnormal psychology gives insight into how something works when it is functioning correctly, such as brain damage on memory
+detail collected on a single case may lead to interesting findings that conflict with current theories, and stimulate new paths for research

Question 14

what are the limitations of case studies

Answer 14

• little control over a number of variables, is difficult to establish any relationships between variables
• case studies are unusual, has poor reliability as being able to replicate them exactly will be unlikely
• due to the small sample size, is unlikely that it can be generalised

Question 15

what is reliability

Answer 15

the consistency of a research study or a measuring test

if repeated, it shows same results

Question 16

what is internal reliability

Answer 16

the extent to which a measure is consistent within itself

eg whether all questions are measuring the same behaviour

Question 17

which method assesses the internal reliability of a test

Answer 17

split half method

Question 18

how does the split half method work (method)

Answer 18

• measures extent to which all parts of the test contribute equally to what is being measured
• compares the results of one half of a test with the results from the other
• if results are similar, it has internal reliability

Question 19

what is external reliability

Answer 19

the extent to which a measure varies from one use to another

Question 20

what is the test retest method

Answer 20

—give participants the same test on two separate occasions

-if same results are obtained then external reliability is established

Question 21

how is the degree of reliability determined

Answer 21

• compare the correlation of a spearman’s rho test or pearson’s r’s test to a statistical table
• 0.8 and above correlation is a strong correlation

Question 22

what is inter rater reliability

Answer 22

• when different researchers observe the same behaviour independently and compare their data
• if correlation is over 0.8, there is external reliability

Question 23

what is intra observer reliability

Answer 23

when an an observation is video recorded so that it can be watched several times

Question 24

what is validity

Answer 24

refers to whether a measure is actually measuring what it claims to be measuring

Question 25

what is face validity

Answer 25

when behaviour appears at first sight to represent what is being measured

Question 26

what is internal validity

Answer 26

when the effects observed in a study are due to manipulation of the IV

Question 27

how can internal validity be improved

Answer 27

• controlling EVs
• using standardised instructions
• counterbalancing
• eliminating demand characteristics/investigator effects

Question 28

what is concurrent validity

Answer 28

way of establishing the internal validity of a new test

-if positive correlation coefficient is 0.8 or greater, then it has internal validity

Question 29

what is external validity

Answer 29

refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalised to

• other settings
• other people
• over time

Question 30

how can external validity be improved

Answer 30

• set experiments in a more natural setting

- use random sampling to select pps

Question 31

what is ecological validity

Answer 31

when a measure of behaviour accurately reflects the way in which behaviour would occur in normal circumstances

Question 32

what is population validity

Answer 32

the extent to which the sample can be generalised to the wider population

Question 33

what is temporal validity

Answer 33

when findings can accurately reflect the way behaviour would occur in a different point of time