intro Flashcards
what is an interview?
A type of survey in which the researcher poses questions to participants face to face. they can be structured, semi structured, or structured in nature and use open and/or closed questions
what is a case study?
A detailed investigation into an individual or small group of people that takes place over a long period of time and involves the use of various different research methods. It involves the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data.
what is a field experiment ?
an investigation which takes place in the participants natural settings. the researcher has some degree of control over the IV.
what is a laboratory experiment?
a controlled, artificial environment in which the IV is manipulated to see the effect it has on the DV, whilst holding all other variables constant.
what is an observation?
A research method in which researchers watch participants and record their behaviour. can be structured whereby the researchers have set up the environment or unstructured/ naturalistic. can be overt, whereby participants know they are being watched or covert whereby they are unaware.
what is a questionnaire?
A type of survey in which a set of written questions are asked to participants. they can be conducted in a variety of different ways ( over the phone, email, post, face to face, online …etc) and can involve open and closed questions.
define objective?
unbiased, factual, distinguishes science from other explanations, free from researcher bias / expectations.
define control
experiments should have high levels of control so that other variables don’t influence findings. if they did, we couldn’t be certain of findings. This ability to isolate variables is essential for science.
define empiricism
research should be based on observable phenomenon; information that can be verified by others using the senses not based on intuition / revelation. Information is usually gathered via experiments/ direct observations ( allows you to see impact of IV on DV - similar to pavlov, skinner and Bandura.)
define replicability
can the study be repeated exactly and similarly / the same findings be obtained. need standardised procedures and high levels of control for this to happen.
define reliability
consistency of findings. the results from the sample should apply to the larger population; science is nomothetic ( making generalisation)
define validity
does a study / test measure what it is supposed to ? Internal validity refers to wether the results are due to variables being manipulated; external validity refers to wether or not the results can be generalised to real life
define rational
based on reasons not assumptions
define reductionism
focus on one small area in isolation ( not looking at the whole) e.g focusing on how hormones may affect aggression ignores the impact of the environment and roles models. science is reductionist as it isolates variables and does not consider interconnections between areas.
