- Conducted in a lab. - Can control extraneous variables. - Controlled conditions.

Methodologies Flashcards by Caitlin Collins

Experiments

An investigation which a hypothesis is scientifically tested. E.g. lab, field, natural.

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Lab experiment

Conducted in a lab.
Can control extraneous variables.
Controlled conditions.

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Lab experiment - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Can control extraneous variables.

DIS = Lacks ecological validity.

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Field experiment

Conducted in a real world setting.

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Field experiment - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Some control, control over the IV.

DIS = Can’t control extraneous variables.
= Hard to repeat.

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Natural experiment

An observational study conducted in a natural environment with no control over any variable.

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Natural experiment - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Ecological validity.

DIS = Can’t control any variables.

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On-line research

Research carried out on the internet.

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On-line research - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Easy to get.
= Can get a wider / larger sample.

DIS = Social desirability bias.

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Quasi-experiment

Participants can’t be randomly assigned to the IV. Requires a specific group of people.

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Quasi-experiment - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Designs can be strengthened with control groups.

DIS = Can’t rule out other factors.

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Participant observation

Researcher does get involved.

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Participant observation - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Rich qualitative data.

DIS = Biassed. Risk of getting too involved.

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Non participant observation

Observing participants without actively participating.
Not getting involved.

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Non participant observation - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = No ethical issues if people know they’re being observed.

DIS = People act differently as they know they’re being observed. Demand characteristics.

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Content analysis

Analysing methods used to identify key words and themes in qualitative data and convert them to quantitive data.

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Content analysis - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Can turn written data into numbers making it easier to analyse.

DIS = Could be researcher bias as it is subjective.

Structured interviews/questionnaires

Every participant gets the same questions. Can give both qualitative & quantitative data.

Structured interviews/questionnaires - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Provides both qualitative & quantitative data.

DIS = Social desirability bias, may not give truthful answers. May give answers that they think will make them look good.

Semi-structured interviews

Some questions are the same, allows new questions to be brought up.

Semi-structured interviews - advantages & disadvantages

ADV = Allows more in depth qualitative data.

DIS = It’s possible to write leading questions which can make the interview data bias.

Correlational studies

Research measures two variables in order to look for a relationship.

Correlational studies - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = May predict human behaviour.

DIS = Possibility of a third variable.

Case studies

A detailed analysis of one person, group or event.

Case studies - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Rich, in depth qualitative data. DIS = Data can't be generalised to the wider population.

Longitudinal studies

Researchers conduct several observations on the same subject over a period of time, some last many years.

Longitudinal studies - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Can look at changes that may occur over time. =The subject doesn't change suggesting changes are due to environmental factors. = Rich qualitative data. DIS = Participants may drop out. = Can be expensive.

Cross sectional studies

- Analyses data from a population. - Looks at different groups of people in a specific area. - Can be multi-cultural.

Cross sectional studies - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Used to prove or disprove assumptions. = Can compare different groups of people. DIS = Cannot be used for analysing behaviour. = People may not understand what to do. = Some groups may not want to get involved.

Self-reports

An individual reports information on themselves, e.g. a dream diary.

Self-reports - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Provides qualitative and quantitative data. DIS = Social desirability bias lowers validity.

Brain scans

- Methods used to produce images of the brain to show its structure and functions. - MRI, PET, CAT.

Brain scans - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Doesn't use radiation. = Can identify active parts of the brain. DIS = Very expensive.

Quantitative data

Numbers, statistics.

Quantitative data - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Can put data into graphs. DIS = Data isn't detailed.

Qualitative data

Data in the form of words, videos or photos.

Qualitative data - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Provides detailed data. DIS = Can't put data into graphs.

Primary sources

Original research by the person who conducted them.

Primary sources - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Information is accurate. DIS = Can be researcher bias, written by one person.

Secondary sources

Articles that summarise the original research.

Secondary sources - advantage & disadvantage

ADV = Allows psychologists to look back at the study and verify if it's wrong. DIS = May not be accurate.

Peer reviews

When an expert looks over your research to check the quality and validity.