methodology: research methods

Question 1

state 4 ethical issues in lab/field studies

Answer 1

• informed consent
• distress
• deception
• debrief

Question 2

strength of lab studies (PEE)
- reliability

Answer 2

a strength of lab studies is that they use standardised procedures. for example, in Loftus and Palmer’s investigation of the effect of leading questions on speed estimates, all ppts watched the same 7 films which lasted between 5-30 seconds. the same verb was used for each group, either smashed, hit, collided, contacted or bumped. therefore, the procedure can be easily replicated and tested for consistency in results of factors of EWT and recall.

Question 3

weakness of lab studies (PEE)
- task validity

Answer 3

a weakness of lab studies is that they are carried out in a controlled environment. for example, they usually involve a video of a simulated crime which is not an accurate representation of an eye witness recall. there is no emotional arousal in comparison to a real crime, and full attention is paid which would be unlikely in real life. therefore, findings lack mundane realism. however, it protects ppts from psychological harm as it causes no distress, and there is no consequence of the statements.

Question 4

strength of lab studies (PEE)
- internal vs ecological validity

Answer 4

a strength of lab studies is that there is high control over extraneous variables. for example, in Loftus and Palmer’s study they showed the 7 videos in different orders for each group. therefore, this minimises the impact of order effects including practise and fatigue. this also prevents prediction of the critical question so demand characteristics don’t arise. therefore, there is high internal validity as a cause and effect will be established between leading question and speed estimate. however, in real life this control wouldn’t exist so extraneous variables would effect recall, so it lacks ecological validity.

Question 5

state 6 AO1 points for lab studies

Answer 5

• standardised procedures
• artificial environment
• high control of EVs
• manipulate IV and measure DV
• quant data
• independent measures

Question 6

state 5 AO1 points for field studies

Answer 6

• standardised procedures
• natural environment
• lack of control of EVs
• no IV manipulation in a study
• qual and quant data

Question 7

state 4 AO3 points for lab studies
- STRENGTHS

Answer 7

• high reliability: standardised procedures
• high internal validity: cause and effect can be established if EVs controlled, however low ecological validity
• high internal validity: quant data allows stats analysis, free from bias, however numerical data lacks extra detail
• ethics: simulations protect from harm as not as distressing and no consequence of statement

Question 8

state 3 AO3 points for lab studies
- WEAKNESSES

Answer 8

• low task validity: not representative as no emotional arousal with a video
• low internal validity: experimenter effects eg tone of voice may impact response
• low internal validity: independent measures risk the effect of ppt variables eg memory

Question 9

state 3 AO3 points for field studies
- STRENGTHS

Answer 9

• high ecological validity: natural environment, natural task
• high reliability: standardised procedures
• high internal validity: provides objective data free from bias with reasoning and wider picture

Question 10

state 3 AO3 points for field studies
- WEAKNESSES

Answer 10

• low internal validity: ppt variables and EVs reduce cause and effect
• low internal validity: relies on self report, subjective, social desirability, experimenter effects
• unethical: deception/lack informed consent

Question 11

describe a strength of using lab studies in criminal psychology

Answer 11

lab studies use standardised procedures. for example, in loftus and palmer’s study, all ppts watch the same 7 30 second videos and then filled out a questionnaire including a critical question, all of which used one of the same 5 verbs; smashed, hit, collided, contacted and bumped. this is a strength because it allows the study to be easily replicated and checked for consistency in the findings of leading questions affecting EWT recall, making these studies reliable.

Question 12

describe a strength of using field studies in criminal psychology

Answer 12

field studies have high ecological validity. for example, in yuille and cutshall’s study, they questioned witnesses 4 months after a real shooting in vancouver, including asking them leading questions about a broken headlight. 84.56% of central witnesses still gave accurate responses. therefore, this suggests that field studies are representative of a population’s EWT outside the sample as ppts are more likely to respond the way they would without a study taking place.

Question 13

state 7 AO1 points for case studies

Answer 13

• qual and quant data
• longitudinal
• naturally occurring
• unusual
• small/single sample
• primary and secondary data
• case history constructed

Question 14

what is a strength of qual and quant data in case studies?

Answer 14

• quant data makes it objective
• eg calculating recidivism rates
• triangulation obtains more detailed data, better understanding of the offender