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Psychology: A level- Eduqas > Methodologies > Flashcards

Methodologies Flashcards

Research Methods

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1
Q

What are the 5 types of experiment?

A
  • Lab
  • Field
  • Natural
  • Quasi
  • Online
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2
Q

What is a lab experiment?

A
  • Conducted under highly controlled conditions
  • Accurate measurements
  • The researcher decides on exactly how the experiment is carried out.
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3
Q

What is a field experiment?

A
  • Conducted in the everyday environment of the participant.
  • Experimenter manipulates the IV.
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4
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A
  • Researcher has no control over the IV
  • Natural occuring event
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5
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A
  • IV is not manipulated by the researcher
  • Participants cannot be allocated randomly to each condition
  • Controlled setting
  • False experiment
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6
Q

What is an online experiment?

A
  • Conducted online
  • Can assess participants through the internet or social networking
  • Questionnaires
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7
Q

Strengths + Weaknesses of a lab experiment

A

STRENGTHS
- High control of variables
- Replicable
- Can establish C&E
WEAKNESSES
- Low ecological validity
- Investigator effects (DCs)
- Behaviour not always natural

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8
Q

Strengths + Weaknesses of a field experiment

A

STRENGTHS
- C&E can be established
- High ecological validity
- Reduction in DCs
WEAKNESSES
- Reduced control over extraneous variables
- Time consuming
- Difficult to replicate

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9
Q

Strengths + Weaknesses of a natural experiment

A

STRENGTHS
- High ecological validity
- Useful when impossible to replicate variables
WEAKNESSES
- Less control over variables
- Difficult to replicate
- Can’t clearly identify C&E
- Low likelihood of desired behaviour is rare

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10
Q

Strengths + Weaknesses of a quasi experiment

A

STRENGTHS
- Often carried out under controlled conditions
WEAKNESSES
- Cannot randomly allocate participants due to confounding variables

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11
Q

Strengths + Weaknesses of an online experiment

A

STRENGTHS
- Can access large numbers of people
- Cost effective
- Data analysis is quicker + easier
WEAKNESSES
- Tends to be limited
- Ethical issues (consent + data)

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12
Q

What is an observation?

A
  • Non experimental method
  • Can see what people do without asking
  • Natural/controlled environment
  • Can be used to assess the DV in experiments
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13
Q

What are the two main categories of the observation?

A

Unstructured
- records behaviour with
no fixed system
Structured
- fixed, structured/
standardised procedures
are used for replicability

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14
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of an unstructured observation

A

STRENGTHS
- Rich in detail (qualitative data)
WEAKNESSES
- Risk of observer bias
- Harder to analyse data

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15
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a structured observation

A

STRENGTHS
- Quantitative data (easy to analyse)
WEAKNESSES
- Lacks detail

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16
Q

State the 6 types of observation

A

Naturalistic
Controlled
Covert
Overt
Participant
Non- participant

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17
Q

What is a naturalistic observation?

A
  • Natural environment
  • No control of setting
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18
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a naturalistic observation.

A

STRENGTHS
- High external validity
- Reduced DCs
WEAKNESSES
- No control of variables
- Difficult to replicate
- Difficult to establish C&E

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19
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A
  • Controlled environment
  • Manipulate variables to observe the effects and control extraneous variables
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20
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a controlled observation.

A

STRENGTHS
- High levels of control
- Easier to establish C&E
- Easier to replicate
WEAKNESSES
- Artificial environment
- Low ecological validity
- May not observe natural behaviour

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21
Q

What is a covert observation?

A
  • Take place without the knowledge/awareness of participants e.g secret cameras/ two way mirrors
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22
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a covert observation.

A

STRENGTHS
- No DCs, more valid
WEAKNESSES
- Lack of informed consent

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23
Q

What is an overt observation?

A
  • Participants know they are being observed and recorded
  • Given informed consent
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24
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of an overt observation.

A

STENGTHS
-No ethical issues
WEAKNESSES
- DCs

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25
Q

What is a participant observation?

A
  • researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour is observed
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26
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a participant observation.

A

STRENGTHS
- Greater insight into lives, increased validity
WEAKNESSES
- May identify too strongly (observer bias)

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27
Q

What is a non-participant observation?

A
  • Observed at a distance
  • Impractical or impossible to take part with the group
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28
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a non participant observation.

A

STRENGTHS
- Greater objectivity
WEAKNESSES
- Loses insight

29
Q

What is content analysis?

A
  • Technique for studying people indirectly through communications
  • Analysing content in a systematic way
  • Can be done on any type of qualitative data
30
Q

Strengths & Weaknesses of questionnaires.

A

STRENGTHS
- Cost effective/Time efficient
- Large amount of data can be collected
- Can be replicated
WEAKNESSES
- Social desirability bias
- Lacks objectivity
- Response bias
- Representative?

31
Q

Strengths & Weaknesses of open questions.

A

STRENTHS
- Qualitative data -> rich in detail
WEAKNESSES
- Harder to analyse
- Time consuming for Ps

32
Q

What is a closed question?

A
  • Only allow certain responses
  • Usually a fixed number of answers
  • YES/NO, Multiple choice, Rating scales
  • Quantitative data
33
Q

Strengths & Weaknesses of closed questions.

A

STRENTHS
- Easy to analyse (Quantitative)
- Easier to compare answers to the Q
WEAKNESSES
- May lack detail + depth

34
Q

Strengths & Weaknesses of interviews.

A

STRENTHS
- Can ask follow up Qs
- more in depth responses
- Can build rapport with the Ps for more personal info
WEAKNESSES
- Interviewer bias
- Qualitative data, harder to analyse

35
Q

Strengths & Weaknesses of structured interviews.

A

STRENTHS
- Standardised
WEAKNESSES
- Comparability may be an issue due to differences in interviews (low validity)

36
Q

Strengths & Weaknesses of semi-structured interviews

A

STRENTHS
- More detailed info can be gained
WEAKNESSES
- Skilled interviewer needed
- On the spot question developments may lack objectivity
- Expensive
- Time consuming

37
Q

What are correlations?

A
  • Researcher method used to analyse data
  • Analyses the association link between two variables (co-variables)
38
Q

What are co-variables?

A

Two variables measured in correlational analysis

39
Q

What is a positive correlation?

A

As one co-variable increases the other increases.

40
Q

What is a negative correlation?

A

As one co-variable increases the other decreases

41
Q

What is a Zero correlation?

A

No relationship between variables

42
Q

Describe the steps for an analysis and interpretation of correlation (1)

A
  • Use a scatter graph
  • Work out correlation co-efficient using a statistical test
  • Test will produce a correlation co-efficient number which can be used on a table of significance
  • Inferential test is done and the observed value is compared with the critical value.
43
Q

Describe the steps for an analysis and interpretation of correlation (2)

A
  • Can be represented as a correlation coefficient (between +1 & -1)
    *+/- sign is direction, P/N
  • Number is the strength
    e.g. -0.7 and +0.7 are the same strength but different directions
44
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of a correlation?

A

STRENGTHS
- Investigate situations cannot be done experimentally
- Shows strength and direction
- Quick and economical
- Less time consuming
WEAKNESSES
- Says they are related but not how
- Cannot establish C&E
- 3rd variable problem
- Correlations can be misused/misinterpreted

45
Q

What is a case study?

A
  • In depth investigation
  • Descriptive analysis of a person, group or event
  • Qualitative data
46
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of a case study?

A

STRENGTHS
- Rich qualitative data
- High ecological validity
- Researchers can study cases they couldn’t manipulate in an experiment
WEAKNESSES
- Researchers bias
- Difficult to generalise findings outside of the sample (low population validity)

47
Q

What are CT (CAT) scans?

A
  • Combined x-rays form 2D/3D images of brain area
  • Before x-ray, radioactive dye is injected into the patient
  • Series of x-ray beams passed through the head creating cross sectional images.
48
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of a CT (CAT) scans?

A

STRENGTHS
- High quality images
- Reveal structures that are abnormal
WEAKNESSES
- Only provide structure
- Exposure to radiation

49
Q

What are PET scans?

A
  • Given radioactive glucose
  • Most active brain areas = more glucose will appear
  • Detectors in scanner highlight most active areas for an in depth image
50
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of a PET scans?

A

STRENGTHS
- Chemical activity can be seen
- Useful for psychological research
WEAKNESSES
- Expensive
- Not as precise as scans (MRI)
- Radioactive dye needed

51
Q

What are longitudinal studies?

A
  • Over a long period of time
  • Observe long-term effects of something on a behaviour
  • Commonly assessed more than twice
52
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of a longitudinal study?

A

STRENGTHS
- Participant variables are controlled
- Can easily sport developmental trends
WEAKNESSES
- High drop out rate
- Demand characteristics

53
Q

What is a cross-sectional study?

A
  • Comparing one group with another
  • One group represents a section of society
54
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of a cross-sectional study?

A

STRENGTHS
- Quick + cheap
- Easier to obtain participants
WEAKNESSES
- Difficult to determine why there are differences
- Harder to identify developmental trends

55
Q

What are self report techniques?

A

Any method where a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings/ opinions/ behaviours/ experiences related to a topic.
e.g. questionnaire/ interview

56
Q

What is quantitative data?

A
  • Can be measured numerically
  • Statistical analysis
57
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of quantitative data?

A

STRENGTHS
- Easy to analyse
- Easy to collect from a large group
WEAKNESSES
- Loses the human level of behaviour
- Offers a shallow view of behaviour

58
Q

What is qualitative data?

A
  • Detailed data
  • Can be observed but not measured numerically
  • Words, thoughts, feelings
59
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of qualitative data?

A

STRENGHTS
- More individualised ‘human’ view of behaviour
- In depth, detailed data
WEAKNESSES
- Difficult to analyse
- Data tends to come from a limited number + range of people.

60
Q

What are primary sources?

A
  • Information/data collected directly by the researcher
  • Questionnaire/ interview/ experiment
61
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of primary sources?

A

STRENGTHS
- Researcher can control how the data is collected to be specific to the aim
WEAKNESSES
- Low validity due to social desirability/ DCs

62
Q

What is a secondary source?

A
  • Not been directly collected by the researcher
  • Using content analysis/ existing data
63
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of secondary sources

A

STRENGTHS
- Data produced without ‘participant’ knowing the artefact is in the research
WEAKNESSES
- Cant control how the data is produced/collected

64
Q

How are behavioural categories used to measure observed data?

A
  • Make it clear (target behaviour)
  • Breaks target behaviour into measurable + observable categories
65
Q

Coding is turning qualitative data into quantitative.
How is this done?

A

1) Familiarise with material
2) Coding categories (list of themes)
3) Review qualitative data
4) Tally how many times categories occur within data
5) Analyse

66
Q

How are coding systems used to measure observed data?

A
  • Makes sure that there are not multiple categories from different observers as some may determine affection differently.
67
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of coding

A

STRENGTHS
- Quantitative data
- Reliability
WEAKNESSES
- Subjectivity
- Validity

68
Q

What is thematic analysis?

A
  • Summarising qualitative data
  • Not converted into quantitative data
69
Q

How is thematic analysis conducted?

A

1) Collect data and transcribe
2) Familiarise
3) Look for recurring themes
4) Provide examples to illustrate themes

Psychology: A level- Eduqas (27 decks)

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