investigation design Flashcards
name the different ways to select participants?
random, Opportunity and volunteer.
what is a pilot study?
A small scale trial run of a study to test any aspects of a design with a view to making improvements and to increase reliability. Problems can be tackled beforehand – could save wasting time and money
what is a hypothesis?
A precise and testable statement of the predicted relationships between variables.
what is a Directional hypothesis?
Predicts the nature of the effect of the IV on the DV, the expected difference between conditions. (tip: can be identified by a qualifying term e.g. higher/lower, more or less)
what is a Non directional hypothesis?
Predicts there is a relationship/difference between conditions but not the nature of the difference.
what is the aim of the investigational design?
The aim is a statement of the study’s purpose. Research states its aim beforehand so it is clear what the study intends to investigate.
what is random sampling?
Every member of the target group has equal chance of selection.
what is Opportunity sampling?
Researcher samples whoever is available and willing to take part.
what is volunteer sampling?
Participants respond to a request advertising research.
what are the weaknesses of random sampling?
is it possible to identify all potential members? Impractical therefore not absolutely random. No guarantee that it will be random.
what are the weaknesses of opportunity sampling?
unlikely to be representative cannot confidently generalise the findings.
what are the weaknesses of volunteer sampling?
not likely to be representative – are volunteers ‘different’, more cooperative etc? can be more costly.
what are the strengths of random sampling?
likely to be representative as attempts to avoid bias
what are the strengths of opportunity sampling?
Practical, quick and convenient.
what are the strengths of volunteer sampling?
can produce large samples if request broadly cast.
