descriptive research methods Flashcards
Participant observation
Observer disguised as a participant in a group
Studying the behavior in a natural setting -> more realistic information
Observational Studies
uses systematic and objective behavioral observations as the primary mode of collecting data.
naturalistic observation
behavior is observed as it occurs in its natural setting
Observer effect
subjects behaving differently when they are aware of an observer
Laboratory observations
Specialized equipment is used (Hidden cameras, one way mirror)
pros and cons of laboratory observations
can an exert control over the setting
But can also result to artificial behavior
random sampling
ensures that everyone in the population is given the same chance of being part of the sample
involves having a list of all the members of the population and selecting in an unbiased way (i.e. fishbowl method or random number generator) who gets to be part of the sample.
methods of descriptive research
- Observational Studies
- Correlational Studies
- Experimental Studies
- Quasi-experimental Studies
case studies
in-depth study of an individual or group with unique characteristics
popular method for studying people with psychological disorders or a group with a shared unique experience
pros and cons of case studies
often involves a variety of research methods to collect data in order to come up with a comprehensive description/information of the individual or group.
since the individual or group is so unique, this information cannot be applied to people in general.
Surveys
usually ask a series of questions through written questionnaires or interviews.
pros and cons of surveys
The strength of a survey lies in its ability to generalize information collected from a small group of people (sample) to a larger group of people (population)
Can only generalize findings from the sample of the population if it is ensured that the sample adequately represents the different characteristics of our population. Can be challenging if we are working with a population with hundreds or thousands or millions of people
correlational method
when we know exactly how two things are related, we can make predictions about the value of one behavior based on the value of the other behavior.
correlation
measure of the relationship between two or more variables. a statistical technique performed by using a formula on two sets of data which will yield a correlation coefficient
correlational method representing direction
the relationship is determined by the + or - sign.
Positive = the two variables increase in the same direction
Negative = the two variables have an inverse* relationship.
correlational method representing strength
the relationship between the variables will be determined by the actual number itself.
The closer it is to 1 = 1 the stronger the relationship or the more related the two variables are
While a coefficient of 0 = the two variables are not related at all.
experimental method
- determines the cause of a behavior
- variables are manipulated
- Usually involves at least two groups who receive different amounts of manipulation of the independent variables whose behavior are then compared.
why are variables manipulated in experiments
if they get changes in behavior they know that those changes must be due to the manipulated variable.
independent vs dependent variable
independent of anything the participants do
always the behavior that is measured to see just how the independent variable may have affected it
experimental vs control group
Group exposed to the independent variable
Used at baseline comparison group. group that gets either no treatment or some kind of treatment that should have no effect
Random assignments
used to assign participants in experiments
confounding variables
Unbiased methods equally distribute any participant’s characteristics that may influence the dependent variable
Placebo effect and how to prevent it
when the participant’s expectations (rather than the IV) influence their behavior
can be prevented using single blind study
single blind study
the treatment group will be given the actual product and the control group will be given a similar looking substance which contains none of the main product
Experimenter effect and how to prevent it
The experimenters’ expectation can also influence become a confounding variable to the experiment
double-blind study
How does experimenter effect happen
When the researcher is measuring the dependent variable, it’s possible that he or she could give the participants clues about how they are supposed to respond—through the use of body language, tone of voice, or even eye contact.
double-blind study
both the participants and the experimenter themselves do not know which condition each participant belongs to
Quasi-experimental studies
may look like real experiments but are often missing either manipulation of the IV or random assignment.
not as strong as experiments in establishing cause and effect relationships they are still useful when real experiments cannot be conducted either because we can’t or we shouldn’t.
what mades an experiment real
(1) Does it have an independent variable which is manipulated?
(2) Are there different groups whose behaviors are being compared?
(3) Were these groups formed using random assignment?
why does an unmanipulated iv make an experiment quasi
Manipulation means that the researchers created different levels of the hypothesized cause of the behavior.
