Methods Flashcards
Experimental methods
In experiments, psychologists seek to control and manipulate events in order to establish precise cause-and-effect relationships.
Three experimental methods are: laboratory, field, and natural experiments.
Laboratory experiments
Experiments carried out in a controlled environment
Sometimes referred to as ‘true experiments’
Strengths:
High level of control of EV
Cause-and-effect relationships can be established
Is very replicable
Limitations:
Low ecological validity - results can’t be generalized and applied to real life situations because of the artificial environment of the study
Investigator effects - researchers unintentionally influence the outcome of the research
Demand characteristics -cues that may bias participants behavior
Field experiments
Controlled studies carried out in a natural setting. Measures natural behavior.
Strengths:
Cause-and-effect relationship can be established
Higher levels of ecological validity than a laboratory experiment
Less demand characteristics
Limitations:
Less control over extraneous variables
Can be time-consuming
Unethical - participants are unaware they are being observed
Natural experiments
Experiments where naturally occurring changes in the independent variable are observed.
Strengths:
Useful for cases where it would be impractical or difficult to manipulate variables eg. weather events, natural disasters.
High levels of ecological validity
Less chance of demand characteristics or investigator effects
Limitations:
Can be difficult to identify cause-and-effect relationships
No control of extraneous variables
Difficult to replicate
Random allocation
Experiments in which participants are randomly allocated to conditions
Pros:
Eliminates participant variables - Ensures that any extraneous influence connected with the participant is equally likely to affect one of the groups as the other, and so has little to no impact on the dependent variable.
Things such as the order in which the stimuli is presented to the participant are randomized too.
Observational techniques
Useful for studies in which researchers want to study natural behavior. There are 6 different types of observations: Controlled Naturalistic Covert Overt Participant Non-participant
Controlled observation
Observation that takes place in a highly controlled setting such as a laboratory environment.
Strengths:
High level of control
Easier to establish cause-and-effect relationships
Limitations:
Due to artificial environment, natural behavior may not be observed
Naturalistic observation
Observation that involves observing people in their natural environment with no control over variables.
Strengths:
Ecological validity - there’s high degree of natural behavior
Limitations:
No control of variables - means it’s hard to establish cause-and-effect relationships
Covert observation
Observations carried out without the knowledge or awareness of participants.
Strengths:
Ecological validity - results can be applied to real life scenarios due to observed natural behavior
Limitation:
Ethical issues - no consent from participants
Overt observation
Observations carried out with the complete knowledge and awareness of participants
Strengths:
Ethical - consent has been given from participants
Limitations:
Artificial behavior
Participant observation
When the observer is part of the observed group or situation
Strengths:
Better insight gained since they’re ‘part’ of the group/situation
Increased validity of findings
Limitations:
High risk of bias entering the data - researchers may begin to sympathize
Low ecological validity due to relatively small sample
Non-participant observation
When the observer watches and collects data from a distance, without being involved in the observed group or situation.
Strengths:
Lack of direct involvement ensures neutrality/no bias/ more open minded as an outsider
Limitations:
May be hard to gain accurate results since they’re watching from a distance
Can be time consuming and costly
Self-report techniques
A research method which requires participants to report on themselves
There are 2 types:
Questionnaires
Interviews
Questionnaires
A self-report method where participants are presented with a set of predetermined written questions
Researchers often use this method to find out people’s feelings and thoughts on something
Strengths:
Cost-effective and time-efficient - they can be quickly delivered to large numbers of participants
Increased reliability- Can provide honest data, when completed anonymously-
Limitations:
Can be difficult to generalize findings
Not everyone may return them eg. only motivated or people with time may complete them which means it may only represent a certain group of people
Interviews
Self-report method where participants answer questions face-to-face.
Strengths:
Can address complex issues other methods aren’t able to
Good source of quantitative data
Limitations:
Investigator effects
Works best with confident and honest participants
Highly depends on skills of interviewer
