Methods: Section B (Designing research Q)

Question 1

What structure do you use when answering a question about designing our own research?

Answer 1

What?
Why?
How?
Link? <- (to own research)

Question 2

Experiment

Experimental or non-experimental?

Answer 2

Experimental

Question 3

Describe an ‘experiment’

(Definition)

Answer 3

An experiment conducted in controlled conditions to establish a CAUSE AND EFFECT (by manipulating the IV).

Question 4

Give advantage(s) of an experiment

Answer 4

1- Highly controlled

2- Useful (only scientific method).

3- Can get cause and effect from manipulating variables (e.g., IV).

Question 5

Give disadvantage(s) of an experiment

Answer 5

1- High demand characteristics
(decreases validity).

2- Artificial
(low ecological validity)

Question 6

When designing research using the EXPERIMENTAL method, what research of my own should I LINK to?

Answer 6

Grant et al replica study.

Question 7

Describe / outline my own research:

Grant et al replica study

Answer 7

-> SAMPLE:
Opportunity and snowball.

-> MATERIALS:
MCQ and SAQ / 10 used.

-> PROCEDURE:
Ps were asked to read an article then answer the questions once they had a 2-minute break.

-> IV (Conditions):
NN, SS, NS, SN
Where the Ps either heard background noise from a café through their (standardised volume) headphones (N), or no noise through headphones (S) whilst reading the article and or answering the questions.

Question 8

Self-report

Experimental / non-experimental?

Answer 8

Non-experimental

Question 9

Describe the ‘Self-report’ method

(Definition)

Answer 9

Where both questionnaires and interviews are used to obtain the participant’s own beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, or feelings in relation to a topic / activity without the researcher interfering.

Question 10

Give advantage(s) of the self-report method

Answer 10

1- Only method for measuring cognitions

2- Varied opinions

3- Quantitative and qualitative data

4- Replicable

Question 11

Give disadvantage(s) of the self-report method

Answer 11

1- May lack validity

2- Socially desirable response / bias

3- Subjective questions
(decreases validity)

4- Fixed choice questions lack flexibility
(decreases validity)

Question 12

When designing research using the SELF-REPORT method, what research of my own should I LINK to?

Answer 12

Grant et al. replica study.

Question 13

Observation

Experimental / non-experimental?

Answer 13

Non-experimental.

Question 14

Describe an observation.

(Definition)

Answer 14

Where the behaviour, events, and characteristics are watched in a natural setting.

It can be:
-> overt / covert

-> structured / unstructured

-> controlled / not controlled.

Question 15

Give advantage(s) of the observation method

Answer 15

1- Low demand characteristics

2- High ecological validity

3- can access people in situations where surveys are inappropriate

Question 16

Give disadvantage(s) of the observation method

Answer 16

1- Time consuming

2- Not always covert (know they are being watched)

3- Subjective behaviour / interpretation by observer

Question 17

When designing research using the OBSERVATION method, what research of my own should I LINK to?

Answer 17

Library observation study.

Question 18

Describe my own research:

Library observation study

Answer 18

-> LOCATION
Conducted in library setting.

-> STRUCTURED
15 categories e.g., studying with device, talking, and using headphones.

-> COVERT

-> NON-PARTICIPANT
Close to, but not part of the group.

-> EVENT SAMPLING

-> DURATION
10 minute observation and 10 minute pilot study.

Question 19

Correlation

Experimental / non-experimental?

Answer 19

Non-experimental.

Question 20

Describe the correlation method

(Definiton)

Answer 20

To investigate whether there is a relationship between two variables.

Question 21

Give advantage(s) of the correlation method

Answer 21

1- Useful for making predictions.

2- Useful for further research.

Question 22

Give disadvantage(s) of the correlation method

Answer 22

1- Can’t state cause / effect.

2- Cannot provide a conclusive reason for why variables are related.

Question 23

When designing research using the CORRELATION method, what research of my own should I LINK to?

Answer 23

Classroom correlation study.

Question 24

Describe my own research:

Classroom correlation study.

Answer 24

-> LOCATION
Conducted in class

-> SAMPLE
Opportunity

-> PARTICIPANTS
14 PS - members of the class.

-> VARIABLES
Expected / actual scores on a psychology multiple choice test / 10.

Question 25

Case study.

Experimental / non-experimental?

Answer 25

Non-experimental.

Question 26

Describe the case study method

(Definition)

Answer 26

Where one person or a small group of people are studied in lots of detail.

Question 27

Give advantage(s) of a case study

Answer 27

1- Provides lots of qualitative data

2- High insight for further research

3- Can investigate unique people / uncommon cases / situations

Question 28

Give disadvantage(s) of a case study

Answer 28

1- Hard to generalise

2- Subjective to researchers (could interpret results differently)

Question 29

When designing research using the CASE STUDY method, what research of my own should I LINK to?

Answer 29

N/A

No study has been conducted for this method.

(Thus meaning I have nothing to link to).