Introduction to Psychological Research Flashcards
Define Target Population
A group of people that share a set of characteristics about which a researcher wishes to draw conclusions (e.g. psychology students)
Define Representative Sample
A part of target population which shares all the important characteristics of the population despite its smaller size.
Define Random Sampling
In a random sample, every person in a given target population stands an equal chance of being selected (e.g. names of students randomly selected by a computer generator)
List advantages for random sampling
More likely to get a varied range of people.
Not biased.
Equal chance of being chosen.
List disadvantages for random sampling
Random individuals may not be available or want to take part.
Not often possible, except with small, or accessible groups.
Define Self-Selected Sampling
Involves participants selecting themselves often through replying to advertisements.
Potentially allows access to a wide variety of people.
List advantages to self-selected sampling
Fairly easy to obtain (all participants approach the researcher).
Participants less likely to withdraw.
List disadvantages to self-selected sampling
Selectivity of response (the majority of target population are unlikely to respond so it isn't random). Biased responses (those who do respond may not be representative of the target population in some way).
Define Opportunity Sampling
Involves the researcher selecting anyone who is available and willing to take part in research.
List advantages to opportunity sampling
Results less likely to differ in important ways from other sampling methods.
Quick and easy to obtain sample.
List disadvantages to opportunity sampling
Can be biased easily.
Likely to have similar backgrounds.
Tends not to be representative.
Define Snowball Sampling
Used if the target population is very specific and difficult to recruit (e.g. drug dealers)
List advantages to snowball sampling
Convenient method of recruiting specific types of participants through trusted sources.
List disadvantages to snowball sampling
Comes from one area so not a true representation of wider population.
Not often possible, except with small, or accessible groups.
Define Quantitative Data
Research based on numbers e.g. statistics and percentages.
List advantages to quantitative data
Quick to analyse.
Compare behaviours between participants.
List disadvantages to quantitative data
Doesn’t tell you a reason or give a bigger picture making it difficult for people to fully express what they are thinking and why sometimes.
Define Qualitative Data
Anything not originally collected or later converted into numbers i.e. words, pictures or descriptions etc…
List advantages to qualitative data
Produces rich, detailed information that can be gathered about the topic being investigated.
Can justify and give reasons.
List disadvantages to qualitative data
Hard to analyse and compare across different participants.
Define Internal Validity
Refers to whether a measure is accurately measuring what it intends to measure.
Define Face Validity
On the surface or at face value, does the test accurately measure what was intended to be measured?
Define Concurrent Validity
Test scores of a new test correlate with test scores of an established test.
Define Criterion Validity
A test that will be able to predict a future outcome.
Define Construct Validity
Does the measure fully measure what it intends to?
Define Ecological Validity
Will the measure used enable you to reflect real life behaviour?
Define Population Validity
Does the sample used reflect the wider target population?
Define Reliability
Reliability refers to consistency of findings or measures
Define Internal Reliability
How consistent is the measure(s) within the research?
Define External Reliability
The extent to which a measure varies from one use to another.
Define Inter-rater Reliability
Consistency produced by different examiners.
List Ethical Guidelines
Informed Consent Right to Withdraw Confidentiality Debriefing Deception Protection from Harm Observational Research Justification of Actions
