Methodologies Flashcards
What is a laboratory experiment
- conducted under controlled artificial conditions.
- researcher manipulates the IV whilst measuring the DV
- conducted under both experimental and control conditions
- researcher randomly allocates participants to experimental or control conditions
+ of laboratory experiments
- high control: IV definitely caused DV.
- easy to replicate, so reliability can be checked
- of laboratory experiments
- demand characteristics
-low ecological validity
What is a field experiment
- conducted in a natural environment
- IV manipulated and DV measured.
- participants unaware they’re being researched
+ of field experiment
- high ecological validity
- fewer demand characteristics
- of field experiment
- unethical: participants unaware of research.
- extraneous variables effect results
What is a quasi experiment/natural experiment
- when a research doesn’t deliberately manipulate an IV, but take advantage of naturally occurring IV. DV may be tested in lab, the field, or online
+ of quasi experiment/natural experiment
- allows research where IV can’t be manipulated for practical or ethical reasons. Range of behaviours can be investigated.
- allows researchers to investigate real problems, which can help more people in more situations
- of quasi experiment/natural experiment
- can’t demonstrate casual relationships bcs IV not manipulated directly, so can’t be sure IV caused DV
What is participant observation
Researcher takes part in research, joining in with people observed. Doesn’t reveal who they are
+ of participant observation
- less demand characteristics
- enables research of people who would otherwise be very difficult to observe
- of participant observation
- observer bias may occur
- unreliable findings because it’s difficult to take notes during - data relies on memory
What is non-participant observation
Observer doesn’t take part but watches and makes notes from distance. Participants unaware of observations
+ of non-participant observation
- less chance of observer bias
- researchers can see how participants behave rather than relying on self reports - more valid and reliable
- of non-participant observation
- observer bias may still occur: difficult to make judgements on thoughts and feelings just by watching.
- unethical because unaware of research
What is correlation
- analyse relationship/association between 2 co-variables.
- can be shown on scatter graph
+ of correlation
- shows both the direction and strength of a relationship which can then be used to make predictions about behaviour
- can be used when experiments are inappropriate
- of correlation
-only shows whether there’s a relationship, not how/why covariable are related
- difficult to establish cause and effect using correlation
What is case study
- in depth study of a unique individual, small group or event
- uses many research methods
- mostly qualitative but can be quantitative.
- holistic study and usually longitudinal
+ of case study
- produces rich qualitative data which is of high ecological validity because it’s a real-life situation.
- allows researchers to study cases they couldn’t practically or ethically manipulate in an experiment
- of case study
- researcher bias - too involved and lose objectivity.
- difficult to generalise findings beyond the individual/group studied - sample too small
What is self reports
participant reports info about themselves. E.g interviews, questionnaires, diaries
+ of self reports
- offer insight to why people behave like they do (no need to guess)
- qualitative info can be gathered
- of self reports
- social desirability bias
- people may not be able to recall accurately, especially if self-report asks for details over extended period
What is quantitative data
Data that can be measured measured numerically by the psychologist, so statistical analysis can be completed
e.g scores on IQ test
+ of quantitative data
- data easy to analyse
- easier to collect data from large group of participants
- of quantitative data
- loses the human level of behaviour.
- offers shallow view of behaviour
What is qualitative data
data that can be observed but not measured numerically. Usually takes form of words, thoughts and feelings
+ of qualitative data
- more individualised human view of behaviour
- provides in depth, detailed data
- of qualitative data
- can be difficult to analyse.
- data tends to come from a limited range of people
What are primary sources
Information/data that are directly collected by the researcher first-hand. E.g. collect data through a questionnaire for their research
+ of primary sources
The researcher can control the format in exactly how data is collected; it will specifically relate to the aims of the research
- of primary sources
Data collected may lack validity due to social desirability or demand characteristics
What is secondary sources
Information sources/data that haven’t been directly collected/created by the research. E.g. content analysis of existing data
+ of secondary sources
Data produced without the participant knowing the artefact would be used in research could be more valid
- of secondary sources
The researcher can’t control the format of how the data is produced or collected.
What is content analysis
- type of observational study
- written or verbal material like magazines, tv programmes are analysed
- researcher must create coding system which breaks down the information into categories and tally is taken every time material fits theme
+ of content analysis
- artefacts already exist, so less demand characteristics
- can be replicated by others as long as artefacts available to other people
- of content analysis
- observer bias can affect validity of findings; diff observers might interpret meanings of categories differently.
- can’t draw cause and effect relationship because origin of artefacts in usually unknown
What is structured interview
-interviewer has pre-prepared set of questions asked in fixed order.
- pre determined questions are used to elicit a verbal response
- similar to a questionnaire that’s answered by participants either face to face or over phone - no deviation from original questions
+ of structured interview
- same questions so results easy to analyse
- replicable, so more reliable
- of structured interview
- can be restrictive because no chance to ask further questions.
- doesn’t allow for ‘spontaneous questions’ which mean interviewer less responsive to participant
What is questionnaire
- set of written questions where answers are analysed by the researcher
- can produce quantitative or qualitative data/mixture of both
+ of questionnaire
- assess psychological variable that may not be obvious by just observing someone.
-data can be collected from a large group of participants quicker than interviewing them
- of questionnaire
- no guarantee that participant telling truth
- different participants may interpret question in different wayd
What is semi structured interview
- begins with general aim and a few pre-determined questions but subsequent questions develop based on answers given by participant
- start with predetermined questions but further questions are developed as a response to answers
+ of semi structured interview
- more qualitative info can be gathered by the interviewer because they tailor the questions to responses
- high validity because participants have the opportunity to fully express true feelings/views
- of semi structured interview
- results difficult to analyse and difficult to identify pattern and trends
- not replicable due to different questions asked each time - unreliable
