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psychology - unit 4 > Experimental Design > Flashcards

Experimental Design Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the three experimental designs

A
  1. Independent measures design - all participants only take part in one condition of the independent variable
  2. Repeated measures design - all participants take part in all of the independent variable conditions
  3. Matched pairs design - participants carry out one condition and a re matched with another participant carrying out the other condition
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2
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of independent measures design

A

+ no order effects (practice or fatigue)
+less demand characteristics

  • there may be individual differences that account for DV results
  • more participants are needed
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3
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a matched pairs design

A

+ No order effects (practice or fatigue)
+ Less problem of demand characteristics as only see one condition
- It is time consuming to match participants together
- May still be some individual differences not accounted for

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4
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a repeated measures design

A

+ There are no participant variables as all participants sit all conditions of the independent variable
+ Fewer participants are needed
- There may be order effect (practice or fatigue)
- Can increase the chance of demand characteristics

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5
Q

How can order effects be minimised in a repeated measures design

A

Counterbalancing - some participants sit condition A and then condition B the other group of participants sit condition B and then A

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6
Q

What is a natural/quasi experiment

A

A research method where the researcher makes use of a naturally occurring IV, there is little control of extraneous variables

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7
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a natural/quasi experiment

A

+ high ecological validity
+ real problems can be investigated
- cannot demonstrate cause and effect relationship as IV not changed
- more difficult to replicate

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8
Q

What is a participant observation

A

An observation where the researcher takes on the role of a participant whilst observing other participants’ behaviour around them

The observation is secret

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9
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a participant observation

A

+ less chance of demand characteristics
+ can research difficult to observe behaviour
- the researcher may have an observer bias
- unreliable findings as based on memory

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10
Q

What is a non-participant observation

A

An observation where the researcher watches and observes participant’s behaviour from a distance, the participants are unaware they are being observed

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11
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a non-participant observation

A

+ less chance of an observer bias
- unethical
- observer bias - difficult to judge from a distance

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12
Q

What is content analysis

A

Content analysis is an exploration of behaviour to see what categories, codes or themes emerge, and tallying each time it fits the theme. It converts qualitative data into quantitative data

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13
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of content analysis

A

+ less demand characteristics and experimenter bias
+ can be replicated
- observer bias can affect validity
- cannot draw cause and effect

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14
Q

What is structured interview

A

A set of standardised questions, the interviewer has pre-prepared questions asked in a fixed order, questions elicit a verbal response

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15
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a structured interview

A

+ some questions are easy to analyse
+ easy to replicate so more reliable
- can be restrictive as no further questions are asked

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16
Q

What is a semi-structured interview

A

A researcher asks participants questions normally face to face. Interview starts with predetermined questions but further questions can develop from answers

17
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of semi-structured interviews

A

+ more qualitative analysis can be formed
+ higher validity as participants can truthfully express themselves
- not replicable as new questions are formed

18
Q

What is a questionnaire

A

A list of written questions, which generate closed and/or open answers. Can be conducted in person, online or by other methods

19
Q

What is an advantage and disadvantage of a questionnaire

A

+ more likely to have honest answers than an interview
+ easy to collect a large sample
- there may be a social desirability bias
- participants may misinterpret questions

20
Q

What is a correlation

A

An investigation to see if there is a relationship between two variables
positive, negative or no correlation

21
Q

What is an advantage and disadvantage of a correlation

A

+ shows the strength and direction of two variables
+ can be used when an experiment is inappropriate
- cannot show cause and effect

22
Q

What is a case study

A

An in-depth study of an individual or a group of people over a long period of time. Looking at observing, interviewing them and friends or family

23
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a case study

A

+ high ecological validity
+ study something not practical or ethical
- researcher bias
- problems with attrition

24
Q

What are self reports

A

Reports where participants report on their own thoughts and feelings including interviews, questionnaires and diaries

25
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of self reports

A

+ self reports give insight into why someone behaves the way that they do
+ gives qualitative analysis
- has a risk of social desirability bias
- uses memory which may not be accurate

26
Q

What are CT scans (CAT scans)

A

CT scans are a combined set of x-rays that for, a 2D or 3D image of the brain. A radioactive dye is injected into the patient and then a CAT scan machine passes a series of x-rays through the head, creating a cross-sectional images of the brain structure

27
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a CAT scan

A

+ gives high quality images of the brain
+ can show abnormal structures of the brain
- only shows the structure and not the function of the brain
- participants are exposed the radiation

28
Q

What are PET scans

A

A detection of the most active brain structures from the injection of radioactive glucose

29
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of PET scans

A

+ scans show chemical activity of the brain
- expensive process
- not as precise as MRI scans
- uses radioactive dye

30
Q

What is a longitudinal study

A

A conduction of research over a long period of time to see the long term affects of a behaviour

31
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal studies

A

+ participant variables are controlled
+ it is easy to find trends in data
- high attrition rate leading to unrepresentative sample
- demand characteristics

32
Q

What is a cross-sectional study

A

One group of participants showing cross-section of society against another at some point in time eg. young vs old people

33
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectional studies

A

+ quick and cheap to carry out
+ participants are easier to obtain
- difficult to determine why there are differences in results
- data is from a small time frame

psychology - unit 4 (13 decks)

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