Chapter 1 Flashcards
case study
- in-depth analysis of a single case (ex. a single person, single school, single place, etc.)
- sample size: n = 1
- measures variables only (no manipulation)
n
- sample size
- ex: if n = 1, n could be Columbine High school
N
- target population
- usually greater than the sample size
- ex: if n = Columbine High school, N = all high schools that have had school shootings
why can case studies be problematic?
- generalizations aren’t permitted as sample size is too small
- researchers can state results only
observational study (what is it, aka, what types of studies are included?)
- method that involves observing people, animals, or phenomena (measures variables only - no manipulation)
- aka: direct observation (done by researcher)
- includes naturalistic studies and lab studies
naturalistic studies (what is it, examples, con)
- observing things in their natural or unaltered environment to maximize ecological validity/authenticity of data
- ex. camera in-home to observe; self-reporting (ie. keeping track of fights in a diary)
- con: lack of control
lab studies (what is it, examples, con)
- observing things in a controlled environment (researchers set up the environment to expose particular responses)
- ex. observing or filming people in the lab to observe
- con: lack of authenticity (people can change their behaviour if they’re in a lab)
survey (what is it, aka, what it’s used for)
- measuring people’s responses to questions or questionnaires (measures variables only - no manipulation)
- aka: indirect observation (done by participants who self-report)
- used to investigate whether there is a relationship between responses, then to calculate correlation
can a questionnaire be a method?
No, the method itself is a survey (which contains a questionnaire)
what does a correlation convey?
the nature and size of a relationship between 2 variables of interest
positive correlation
- similar change between 2 variables
- ie. increase in 1 -> other increases (ex. studying and gpa… the more you study, the higher your gpa will be)
negative correlation
- opposite change between 2 variables (inverse relationship)
- ie. increase in 1 -> the other decreases (ex. partying and gpa… the more you party, the lower your gpa will be)
strongest relationship between 2 variables
- 1
- indicates size of relationship
no relationship between 2 variables
- 0
- indicates size of relationship
significant relationship
- is it reliable/consistent?
- not related to size/strength -> doesn’t have to be the strongest, just has to be consistent