non-experimental method Flashcards
what is the easiest way to describe the difference between a correlation and an experiment?
correlation is an association between variables (no IV and DV)
experiment is a test of difference- how IV affects DV
how can cause be established in an experiment?
experiments involve the manipulation of one variable (IV) to see the effect on another (DV)
why CAN’T causation be established for correlations?
correlational variables (co-variables) cannot be manipulated. They can only be measured.
what do correlational studies investigate?
the likelihood of two variables being related, it can tell us the strength and direction of an association between co-variables
what is a positive correlation?
as one co-variable increases, so does the other
what is a negative correlation?
as one co-variable increases, the other decreases
what is zero correlation?
there is no relationship between the two co-variables
what are 3 strengths of correlations?
-can study relationship between variables that cannot eb manipulated (e.g. for ethical reasons)
-it is possible to correlate a large amount of data and secondary data can be used
-if two variables are correlated, we know the strength and direction of an association which is often the starting point for further research
what is the main limitation of correlations?
association does not mean causation, cause and effect cannot be established- we don’t know which co-variable causes the other to change
this brings in the third variable problem
what are the three types of observation?
controlled vs naturalistic
covert vs overt
participant vs non-participant
what is a controlled observation?
the observation happens in a carefully controlled and structured environment
what is a good example of a controlled observation?
Mary Ainsworth’s strange situation to measure attachment in children
what is a naturalistic observation?
an observation where the researcher studies behaviour in its real-life or natural setting without any intervention or control from the researcher
what is covert observation?
where the participant does not know they are being observed- it must be behaviour that is happening in public anyway because you can’t get informed consent
what is overt observation?
where the participants know the are being observed and have given informed consent
