Intro to Psych: Research Designs

Question 1

Experimental Design

Answer 1

= the researcher manipulates a variable of interest, thought to influence behaviour
…experimental group: participants exposed to IV
…control group: participants not exposed to IV
…random allocation: participants have equal chance of being in either group

Question 2

Experimental Design - Advantages

Answer 2

• strong cause & effect relationship (IV effects DV)
• replication is easy (greater confidence in results)
• random allocation… can generalise and apply to society
• control/eliminate EV
• accurate results (no bias/subjectivity)

Question 3

Experimental Design - Disadvantages

Answer 3

• may not relate to real world
• can be expensive/time-consuming
• cannot always eliminate EV
• unethical/impractical to investigate some IV

Question 4

Quantitative Observational Design

Answer 4

= researcher observes the outcome of natural variation in the variable of interest

• pre-existing difference between two groups - NO random allocation
• observe in naturalistic setting
• investigate variables such as gender, age, smoking status, health

Question 5

Quantitative Observational Design - Advantages

Answer 5

• can investigate unethical/impractical

- some behaviours can only be observed in naturalistic setting

Question 6

Quantitative Observational Design - Disadvantages

Answer 6

• cannot infer strong cause & effect relationship
• greater chance of EV affecting results (no control)
• cannot replicate
• observer bias
• no random allocation … cannot generalise

Question 7

Qualitative Design

Answer 7

= generates detailed, rich verbal responses & enables deeper understanding

• open-ended questions (how/why)
• Focus groups: group interview/discussion, mediator/researcher leads discussion on particular subject, may record
• Delphi technique: series of questionnaires and feedback to obtain opinions of experts in field of interest

Question 8

Focus groups - Advantages

Answer 8

• investigate real world issues
• participants more comfortable in group discussion
• inexpensive
• rich verbal data collected

Question 9

Focus groups - Disadvantages

Answer 9

• participant bias: subjective
• one person/idea may dominate
• researcher bias
• may not feel comfortable
• cannot establish causation

Question 10

Delphi technique - Advantages

Answer 10

• greater pool of expertise
• cheap (email/post)
• not limited by geography

Question 11

Delphi technique - Disadvantages

Answer 11

• no deeper understanding
• researcher bias
• doesn’t generate rich verbal data compared to focus groups