deck_rm

Question 1

lab strengths

Answer 1

It is easier to replicate (i.e. copy) a laboratory experiment. This is because a standardized procedure is used.They allow for precise control of extraneous and independent variables. This allows a cause and effect relationship to be established.

Question 2

lab weaknesses

Answer 2

The artificiality of the setting may produce unnatural behavior that does not reflect real life, i.e. low ecological validity. This means it would not be possible to generalize the findings to a real life setting.Demand characteristics or experimenter effects may bias the results and become confounding variables.

Question 3

Field strengths

Answer 3

Behaviour in a field experiment is more likely to reflect life real because of its natural setting, i.e. higher ecological validity than a lab experiment.There is less likelihood of demand characteristics affecting the results, as participants may not know they are being studied. This occurs when the study is covert (hidden). However, a hidden observer recording information without the participants’ knowledge and consent has ethical implications.

Question 4

field weaknesses

Answer 4

There is less control over extraneous variables that might bias the results. This makes it difficult for another researcher to replicate the study in exactly the same way and makes it less valid to argue cause and effect relations between the manipulation of the IV and changes in the DV compared with laboratory experiments

Question 5

natural strengths

Answer 5

Behavior in a natural experiment is more likely to reflect life real because of the very real nature of the independent variable.Can be used in situations in which it would be ethically unacceptable to manipulate the independent variable, e.g. researching stress.

Question 6

natural weaknesses

Answer 6

They may be more expensive and time consuming than lab experiments, and in some natural experiments, the occurrence of the IV may take years.The lack of control over extraneous variables might bias the results. This makes it difficult for another researcher to replicate the study in exactly the same way.

Question 7

observation weaknesses

Answer 7

it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of a behavior and the experimenter cannot control for outside variables. People may behave differently when they know they are being watched and •Different observers may draw different conclusions from the same witnessed behavior.

Question 8

observation strengths

Answer 8

it allows the researcher to directly observe the subject in a natural setting. It allows researchers to study things that cannot be manipulated in a lab due to ethical concerns and It can help support the external validity of research.

Question 9

structured interview strengths

Answer 9

easy to replicate as a fixed set of closed questions are used, which are easy to test for reliability. Structured interviews are fairly quick to conduct which means that many interviews can take place within a short amount of time.

Question 10

structured interview weaknesses

Answer 10

Structure interviews are not flexible. This means new questions cannot be asked impromptu as an interview schedule must be followed.The answers from structured interviews lack detail as only closed questions are asked which generates quantitative data. This means a research will won’t know why a person behave in a certain way.

Question 11

unstructured interview strengths

Answer 11

Unstructured interviews are more flexible as questions can be adapted and changed depending on the respondents’ answers. Unstructured interviews generate qualitative data which allows the respondent to talk in some depth which helps the researcher develop a real sense of a person’s understanding of a situation.They also have increased validity because it gives the interviewer the opportunity to probe for a deeper understanding.

Question 12

unstructured interview weaknesses

Answer 12

Can be time consuming to conduct the unstructured interview and analyze the qualitative data.Employing and training interviewers is expensive, and not as cheap as questionnaires.

Question 13

closed ended questionnaire strengths

Answer 13

They can economical. This means they can provide large amounts of research data for relatively low costs.The data can be quickly obtained as closed questions are easy to answer This means a large sample size can be obtainedThe questions are standardized. All respondents are asked exactly the same questions in the same order. so they are reliable

Question 14

closed ended questionnaire weaknesses

Answer 14

They lack detail. Because the response if fixed, there is less scope for respondents to supply answers which reflects their true feelings on a topic.

Question 15

open ended questionnaire strengths

Answer 15

Rich qualitative data is obtained as open questions allow the respondent to elaborate on their answer.

Question 16

open ended questionnaire weaknesses

Answer 16

Time consuming to collect the data. It takes longer for the respondent to complete open questions. This is a problem as a smaller sample size may be obtained. Time consuming to analyze the data. It takes longer for the research to analyze qualitative as they have to read the answers and try to put them into categories by coding, which is often subjective and difficult.

Question 17

independent group design strengths

Answer 17

Participants are not likely to be affected by order effects, as they are only involved in one of the conditions. Demand Characteristics are less likely, as there are fewer clues about the research hypothesis in an independent groups design.

Question 18

independent group design weaknesses

Answer 18

Participant variables are the main disadvantage, as participants are different in each condition, any difference between conditions in the DV may be down to the different characteristics and abilities of the participants, and not the manipulation of the IV.

Question 19

repeated measure design strengths

Answer 19

This design eliminates the risk that participant variables will influence the DV, as they are the same participants taking part. Another advantage is that a smaller number of participants are required which is an advantage of convenience.

Question 20

repeated measure design weaknesses

Answer 20

This design is more likely to be affected by order effects, as participants may improve in the second condition if it is a skills based test because of practice, or may perform worse if the tasks are long (fatigue) or boringSample drop off and participant reactivity are also concerns using this design, as are the increased risks of demand characteristics.

Question 21

matched-pairs design weaknesses

Answer 21

It can be difficult to find similar participants to take part in either condition, and it may be challenging to know exactly which characteristics are required to match. It is considered that this design takes the longest to prepare, so is often overlooked in research where resources are limited.

Question 22

random sample strengths

Answer 22

Considered the most scientific method, it reduces the possibility of researchers choosing samples that would support their hypothesis. It is also considered one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of a biased sample occurring by chance, but does not eliminate this possibility.

Question 23

random sample weaknesses

Answer 23

It is very difficult to collect the names of every one in a given population, electoral registers do not contain every one, some participants may refuse to take part, and the vastness of some target populations make this method virtually impossible.

Question 24

opportunity sample evaluation

Answer 24

:)A quick and convenient method of sampling.:(It is likely to produce a biased sample. As it only uses the people available which might just be one type of people Thus it is highly unlikely that the results of the study can be generalized to a wider population

Question 25

volunteer sample strengths

Answer 25

This can reduce the amount of timenecessary to search participants with specific criteria required for the studyThe potential units or cases are likely to be committedto take part in the study, which can help in improving attendance.

Question 26

volunteer sample weaknesses

Answer 26

There is likely to be a degree of self-selection bias. For example, the decision to participate in the study may reflect some inherent bias in the characteristics/traits of the participants. This can either lead to the sample not being representative of the population being studied, or exaggerating some particular finding from the study.

Question 27

informed consent

Answer 27

Before the study begins the researcher must outline to the participants what the research is about, and then ask their consent to take part. In practice this means it is not sufficient to simply get potential participants to say “Yes”. They also need to know what it is that they are agreeing to.

Question 28

debrief

Answer 28

After the research is over the participant should be able to discuss the procedure and the findings with the psychologist. They must be given a general idea of what the researcher was investigating and why, and their part in the research should be explained. They must be told if they have been deceived and given reasons why.

Question 29

protection from harm

Answer 29

Researchers must ensure that those taking part in research will not be caused distress. They must be protected from physical and mental harm. This means you must not embarrass, frighten, offend or harm participants. Normally, the risk of harm must be no greater than in ordinary life. Also vulnerable groups should receive special care.

Question 30

Confidentiality

Answer 30

Participants, and the data gained from them must be kept anonymous unless they give their full consent. No names must be used in a research report.

Question 31

right to withdraw

Answer 31

Participants should be able to leave a study at any time if they feel uncomfortable. They should also be allowed to withdraw their data. They should be told at the start of the study that they have the right to withdraw. They should not have pressure placed upon them to continue if they do not want to

Question 32

deception

Answer 32

The researcher should avoid deceiving participants about the nature of the research unless there is no alternative – and even then this would need to be judged acceptable by an independent expert. Types of deception include deliberate misleading, staged manipulations in field settings or deceptive instructions.