Methods

Question 1

strengths of self-report methods

Answer 1

+ offer insight into why people behave the way they do

Question 2

weaknesses of self-report methods

Answer 2

• possible risk from social desirability bias

- people may not be able to recall accurately- esp over extended period of time

Question 3

strengths of interviews

Answer 3

+ can permit issues to be investigated with sensitivity

+ Ps can ask researcher for clarification of question if unsure of its meaning

Question 4

weaknesses of interviews

Answer 4

• more time consuming

- appearance of researcher may have effect on Ps response

Question 5

strengths of structured interviews

Answer 5

+ easy replication of research as standardised questions have been used

+ easier to analyse because answers are more predictable

Question 6

weaknesses of structured interviews

Answer 6

• doesn’t allow for spontaneous questions- interviewer is less responsive to Ps
• interviewer’s expectations may influence answers

Question 7

strengths of semi-structured interviews

Answer 7

+ more detailed information can be obtained from each respondent

+ allows researcher to investigate topics which may vary amongst Ps with more sensitivity

Question 8

weaknesses of semi-structured interviews

Answer 8

• require interviewers with more skill- have to develop questions on the spot
• questions developed on the spot may lack objectivity because of instantaneous nature

Question 9

strengths of questionnaires

Answer 9

+ can be used to assess psychological variables that may not be obvious by just observing someone

+ data can be collected from large group of Ps more quickly

Question 10

weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 10

• no guarantee Ps are telling the truth

- different Ps may interpret same question in different ways

Question 11

correlation studies

Answer 11

establish whether two factors are associated

Question 12

strengths of correlation studies

Answer 12

+ a research tool that can be used when experiments are inappropriate e.g: unethical to manipulate stress and illness

+ provides valuable information on strength of the relationship between the co-variables

Question 13

weaknesses of correlation studies

Answer 13

• impossible to establish cause and effect between variables

- cannot assess non-linear relationships between co-variables

Question 14

case studies

Answer 14

in-depth exploration of behaviour and experiences of an individual

Question 15

strengths of case studies

Answer 15

+ can collect data from individuals who have experienced situations which would be unethical to manipulate

+ can be a good way to describe changes occurring as a result of psychological processes which occur over time

Question 16

weaknesses of case studies

Answer 16

• unique experiences of one person may have little/no application to the lives of others
• researcher’s assessment may become less objective with familiarity

Question 17

quantitative data

Answer 17

data that can be measured numerically by psychologist so that statistical analysis can be completed

Question 18

strengths of quantitative data

Answer 18

+ data is easy to analyse using statistics

+ easier to collect from a large group of Ps

Question 19

weaknesses of quantitative data

Answer 19

• tends to lose the ‘human’ level of behaviour

- tends to offer a very shallow view of behaviour

Question 20

qualitative data

Answer 20

data that can be observed but not measured numerically

Question 21

strengths of qualitative data

Answer 21

+ can offer more individualised, ‘ human’ view of behaviour

+ provides in-depth, detailed data

Question 22

weaknesses of qualitative data

Answer 22

• can be difficult to analyse collected data

- data tends to come from a limited range of people

Question 23

strengths of primary sources

Answer 23

+ researcher can control the format of how the data is collected- specifically relate to aims of research

Question 24

weaknesses of primary sources

Answer 24

• data collected may lack validity- social desirability + demand characteristics

Question 25

strengths of secondary sources

Answer 25

+ data produced without the P knowing the artefact would be in research could be more valid

Question 26

weaknesses of secondary sources

Answer 26

• researcher can’t control format of how data is produced or collected- may not be a specific match to aim of research