C2 - Research Methods

Question 1

What is Correlational Research?

Answer 1

It assesses the degree to which two variables are related

Question 2

Describe Correlation Coefficient

Answer 2

It quantifies the association between two variables, and ranges from -1.0 to +1.0
A correlation of 0 means that two variables are unrelated, whereas a high correlation (either positive or negative) means that participants’ scores on one variable are good predictors of their scores on the other

Question 3

List down one of the pros and cons of correlational research

Answer 3

Correlational research can shed important light on the relationships among variables, but correlation does not imply causation

Question 4

What is the difference between Theory and Hypothesis?

Answer 4

A theory explains a natural phenomenon that is validated through observation and experimentation.
Hypothesis is an educated guess based on certain data that acts as a foundation for further investigation

Question 5

What are the two variables for the Theoretical Framework? List and describe.

Answer 5

The two variable are continuous and categorical variables.

• Continuous variable has a continuum of possible values and across this range. (e.g., reaction time in seconds ranging from 0.5 to 5 seconds)
• Categorical variable can take on fixed values and only those fixed values (e.g., biological gender)

Question 6

What are the three things to take note of when conducting measurement in research?

Answer 6

• Reliable: produce consistent measurements over time, or amongst items in a scale of measurement
• Valid: actually measure the variables of interest; or is a measure used for the purposes for which it is designed
• Test-bias: question if the tests are biased against different groups of people

Question 7

Techniques to determine the reliability

Answer 7

• Test Retest Reliability: does the test give similar values if the same participant takes it two or more times?
• Internal Consistency: different items that measure the same variable should produce similar answers
• Inter Rater Reliability: two testers who rate the same person on the same variable, should give similar ratings to the participant

Question 8

Describe generalizability and and list the requirements

Answer 8

Generalizability refers to whether research results (from the sample) can be applied to the entire population of interest

• Internal validity: are the procedures of the study sound or are they flawed?
• External validity: does the experimental situation resemble the situation found in the real world
• Representative sample: a subset of a population that seeks to accurately reflect the characteristics of the larger group

Question 9

List and Describe the 3 main goals of scientific approach

Answer 9

1. Description - refers to the procedures used to define, classify and categorize subjects and their relationships
2. Prediction - sometimes made in the form of hypotheses, which are tentative, testable predictions concerning the relationships between or among variables. Prediction of later performance is of particular importance to researchers
3. Understanding - achieved when the cause or causes of phenomenon are identified

Question 10

What are the types of Research Designs?

Answer 10

1. Descriptive design - concerned with describing behavior
2. Correlational design - concerned with predicting behavior
3. Experimental design - concerned with establishing the causes of behavior

Question 11

What are the types of Research Methods?

Answer 11

1. Quantitative research - statistical analysis of experiment or survey data to test hypotheses
2. Qualitative research - in-depth analysis of interview, observational or case study data to provide a rich and deep understanding of research topic
3. Mixed-method research - integration and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative research data in one study

Question 12

What are the two methods of Descriptive Research?

Answer 12

1. Case studies

2. Naturalistic observation

Question 13

Describe Case Studies

Answer 13

• Case study is an in-depth study of the behavior of one person or a small group
• Often used in clinical research
• Used when large numbers of participants are not available

Question 14

What are the Drawbacks of Case Studies?

Answer 14

• Small sample size
• Susceptibility to researcher bias
• Problem of an atypical case

Question 15

Describe Naturalistic Observation

Answer 15

• Refers to the in-depth study of a phenomenon in its natural setting

Question 16

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Naturalistic Observation?

Answer 16

Advantage - good generalizability

Disadvantages - observation per se can alter behavior; cannot establish the cause of behavior

Question 17

Describe Survey Research and list the approaches

Answer 17

• Involves in asking questions of large number of persons to gain information on attitudes and behaviors

Two approaches - questionnaires and interviews

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of Survey Research?

Answer 18

• Sampling issues

- People may not respond accurately

Question 19

Describe Correlational Research

Answer 19

• Aim is to determine the degree to which two or more variables are related
• Correlation can determine the association between data from experiments, case studies, or surveys

Question 20

-/+ number closer to 1 = ?

Answer 20

More strongly related and more predictable changes

Question 21

-/+ number closer to 0 = ?

Answer 21

Weaker relationship and less predictable changes

Question 22

Describe Experimental Research

Answer 22

A study that strictly adheres to the scientific research design.
It includes a hypothesis, IV, DV, and Control group