Introduction to Research Methods Flashcards
What are the different types of variable?
IV: variable being manipulated, usually by the researcher
DV: Variable being influenced by the IV, which can be measured
Extraneous variable: A variable other than the IV which has influenced the DV
Co-variables: 2 variables which are examined to see whether a correlations exists between them
Why do experiments try to determine?
Cause and effect
Example of operationalisation of variables
‘noise’ might be operationalised as ‘loud music’ so that we can objectively manipulate and measure these variables. Concentration might be ‘score on a maths test’
Directional, non directional, null and examples, when do we propose each?
Directional: predicts direction of results (X will lead to more of Y, or there will be a positive/negative correlation). Do this when we have previous research.
Non directional - there will be a difference between X and Y, or there will be a significant relationship. Does not predict direction. Do when new area of research, cannot anticipate direction.
Null - there will be no difference/no relationship
What are the different types of sampling methods?
Random, Systematic, Stratified, Opportunity, Volunteer
Explain Random Sampling, strengths and limitations
Every member of target population has equal chance of being selected. Could put into a hat and pull out names.
Example - if you had 20 A level history students, wanted 6 for study, put 20 in that hat and pull out at random
Strengths: no bias in selection, increases chance will be representative of target population
Likely generalise
Weakness: Not always practical to use ie when the target population is large
Could be biased - ie in sampling only females might be selected
Explain Systematic Samling, strengths and limitations
Involves every nth member of the target population to form the sample
If you need 20 participant’s from your college and your college has 1000 students, 1000 divided by 20 is 50, you select every 50th name from a list of students
Strengths: No bias in selection of this sample, increasing chance it will be representative of target population
Should therefore be generalisable of the target population
Weaknesses: Not truly unbiased unless you select your starting point randomly and then select every nth person from this point
Explain Stratified Sampling, strengths and limitations
A small scale reproduction of the target population. you divide the target population into ‘strata’ important to the study (age, gender etc) and using random selection, participants are selected within each category in the proportions they exist in the target population
Example: if your college has a student population of 55% female and 45% male, and you need to select a stratified sample of 20 students. You could place names of all female students in one hat and randomly select 11 names. You would then put all the names of male students in another hat and select 9 names. These 20 would form your sample.
Strengths: No bias in the selection of this sample - random selection is used on relevant categories within a target population. Increases chance of being representative.
Should therefore be fairly representative and be able to generalise results to the target population.
Limitations: Requires a detailed knowledge of the target population and this might not be available
Dividing the target population into categories then randomly selecting is time consuming.
Explain Opportunity sampling, strengths and limitations
Researcher decides on type of participant needed and approaches anyone who appears suitable until sufficient numbers have been obtained eg approach students in a canteen
Strengths: Relatively quick and convenient as researcher is not required to identify all members of a target population
Weaknesses: Sample is likely to be biased as it excludes certain types of participant ie those not around when the researcher is approaching sample.
If sample biased, not possible to make generalisations to the target population
Explain Volunteer Sampling, strengths and limitations
Researcher advertises for participants. Participants choose themselves by replying to the advert.
Strengths: Creating a sample is fairly easy in comparison with other techniques, as participants volunteer themselves
As they volunteer themselves, there is less chance of them deliberately sabotaging the study
Weaknesses: Sample is likely to be biased as volunteers tend to be a certain type of individual (ie those interested in psychology or need the money offered for taking part). Means likely to be unrepresentative of the target population
If the sample is biased, then it is not possible to make generalisations to the target population
What are some of the main issues that arise in research?
Informed Consent (participants should have sufficient information about research aims and procedures to enable them to make an informed decision on if they want to take part)
Use of deception (participants should not be misled about the true aims of the research or have information withheld relating to the procedures of the study)
Right to withdraw (participants should be informed that they can withdraw from a study at any point)
Confidentiality (information on participants should be kept confidential)
Protection from harm (participants should be protected from any psychological or physical harm during research)
Methods to deal with different ethical issues
What is a population/target population?
The group of individuals that a researcher wishes to study. If the researcher wants to study attitudes of Northampton Sixth Form students to reality TV, then the target population is all Northampton Sixth Form students
