Data analysis

Question 1

What are the components of psychological research

Answer 1

Abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions/ limitations

Question 2

What is the abstract

Answer 2

Gives us an overview of what we are about to read

Question 3

What is the introduction

Answer 3

Sets the scene, sets out aims of research, reviews current research

Question 4

What is the methods section for

Answer 4

Explains how the research was conducted and justifies why and what they have done

Question 5

What is the results section

Answer 5

Presents the findings and shows it in a format that is understandable

Question 6

What is discussions section

Answer 6

Discusses the findings, impact and their relevance

Looks at these findings against what else is out there

Question 7

What is the conclusion and limitations stage

Answer 7

Tells us the key findings

Implications in the future

The way that our methodology had an impact on the validity and generalisability

Ways that the research may not be perfect

Question 8

Pros of Quantitative data

Answer 8

Simpler to analyse, better external validity, more objective, free from bias

Question 9

Weaknesses of quantitative data

Answer 9

Gives less detail to experimenter

Question 10

Strengths of qualitative data

Answer 10

Gives richer detail to experimenter

Question 11

Weaknesses of qualitative data

Answer 11

Harder to analyse

Hard to generalise in uncontrolled environment

More subjective

Can be bias

Question 12

What is primary data

Answer 12

Data that has been collected by the researcher, data that is participant generated and may have been gathered from an experiment, interview, questionnaire or observation

Question 13

What is secondary data

Answer 13

Data that has been collected by someone other than the person conducting the research

Often secondary data has already been subject to statistical testing and significance has been shown

May be gathered from journal articles, books, websites, government data, etc.

Question 14

Strengths of primary data

Answer 14

Data is fit for purpose as it is authentic data gathered to fit the purpose of a particular investigation

Question 15

Weaknesses of primary data

Answer 15

Data requires excessive planning, preparation and resources to gather it

Question 16

Strength of secondary data

Answer 16

The data is relatively inexpensive and easily accessed and requires minimal effort for the researcher

Question 17

Weaknesses of secondary data

Answer 17

Little control over the quantity and quality of the data

the content of the data may not perfectly fit what the investigator is trying to research

Question 18

What is meta-analysis

Answer 18

A form of research that utilises secondary data

It is a process in which data from lots of studies that use the same techniques and research questions are combined

A statistical analysis is then performed on the results of these studies to produce an effect size as the dependent variable in order to assess overall trends

Question 19

What is content analysis

Answer 19

Content analysis is a widely used research technique that systematically examines and interprets textual, visual, or multimedia content to identify patterns, themes, and meanings

Question 20

Why is content analysis used

Answer 20

1. Understanding Communication: It helps researchers explore the meaning, structure, and function of communication.
2. Tracking Trends: Content analysis is useful for monitoring changes in cultural norms, public opinion, or market behaviour over time.
3. Cross-Disciplinary Applications: This method is used in various fields, including sociology, marketing, media studies, and psychology.

Question 21

What is a coding frame

Answer 21

Coding framework is used to establish categories to classify data systematically.

Question 22

How can researchers ensure the results of a content analysis are reliable and valid

Answer 22

Establishing clear coding schemes, training coders, and checking inter-coder reliability

Question 23

What is the difference between content and thematic analysis

Answer 23

Thematic analysis focuses on extracting high-level themes from within data, while content analysis—especially sub-categorical methods like summative content analysis—focus on the reoccurrence of concepts or keywords at a more surface-level of analysis i.e. their frequency

Question 24

What is test-retest reliability

Answer 24

The consistency of a measurement when applied multiple times to the same individual

Question 25

What is inter-rate reliability

Answer 25

The degree of agreement between multiple observers

Question 26

What are the 8 key features of a scientific subject

Answer 26

The use of a paradigm and paradigm shifts

The role of theory

Falsification

The role of hypothesis testing

The use of empirical methods

Replication

Generalisation

The role of peer review

Question 27

What is the use of paradigm shifts

Answer 27

Brings all the assumptions that scientists within the subject are prepared to accept about what they are studying, how they will think about it and how they will study it

Question 28

What is the role of theory

Answer 28

Theories give purpose and direction to research by organising facts and patterns into a set of general principles

Theories therefore generate testable hypotheses, which offer testable predictions of the facts organised by the theory

Question 29

What is a theory

Answer 29

Explains the observable behaviours and events, using a set of general principles. It can also be used to predict observations

Question 30

What is falsification

Answer 30

For a theory to be scientific it should be open to falsification/ the possibility of being able to prove something wrong

The researcher should be able to imagine some occurrence that would contradict it

Question 31

What is the role of hypothesis testing

Answer 31

Hypothesis testing allows researchers to refute or support theory

This is done in a controlled and organised way by altering one variable at a time

The degree of support for a hypothesis determines the degree of confidence in a theory

Question 32

What is the use of empirical methods

Answer 32

The use of careful observations and experiments to gather facts and evidence

Variables are highly controlled and objectively measured so that cause and effect relationships can be established

Question 33

What is replication

Answer 33

Repeating the experiment using the same methods if the same results can be achieved

More repeats= more confidence= stronger theory

More reliability suggests more accurate results

Question 34

What is Generalisation

Answer 34

Applying results from a sample to a wider population and other situations

For a theory to be scientific it should be possible for the results to be generalised to a wider population

Question 35

What is the role of peer review

Answer 35

Peer review is essential for checking the quality and relevance of research

It also ensures that research is carried out honestly, rigorously and with integrity