Non-experimental method

Question 1

What is the difference between a correlation and an experiment?

Answer 1

Experiments involve manipulation of the IV whereas a correlation can only be measured

Question 2

What are the variables called in a correlational study?

Answer 2

Co-variables

Question 3

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 3

As one co-variable increases, the other also increases

Question 4

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 4

As one co-variable increases, the other decreases

Question 5

What is a zero correlation?

Answer 5

No relationships between co-variables

Question 6

Why can’t we say one co-variable causes the effect on the other co-variable

Answer 6

Association does not mean causation. There may be a third variable also

Question 7

Give two strengths of correlational research

Answer 7

-It allows the researcher to study the relationship between variables that cannot be manipulated
-It is possible to correlate a large amount of data and secondary data

Question 8

Give one limitation of correlational research

Answer 8

We don’t know which co-variable causes the other to change

Question 9

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 9

Studying behaviour in its real life or natural setting

Question 10

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 10

Studying behaviour in a controlled and structured environment

Question 11

What is a covert observation?

Answer 11

Participant does not know they’re being observed

Question 12

What is an overt observation?

Answer 12

The participant knows they’re being observed

Question 13

What is a participant observation?

Answer 13

Observer joins group that is being observed

Question 14

What is a non-participant observations?

Answer 14

Observer remains separate to what they’re studying

Question 15

Give a strength and limitation of naturalistic observations

Answer 15

S: Better insight into normal behaviour
L: Ethical issues

Question 16

Give a strength and limitation of controlled observations

Answer 16

S: Replicable
L: Low external validity

Question 17

Give a strength and limitation of covert observations

Answer 17

S: Avoids demand characteristics
L: Ethical issues

Question 18

Give a strength and limitation of overt observations

Answer 18

S: More ethical
L: Demand characteristics

Question 19

Give a strength and limitation of participant observations

Answer 19

S: In depth research
L: Ethical issues

Question 20

Give a strength and limitation of non-participant observations

Answer 20

S: Observer can remain separate and observant
L: Cannot demonstrate causal relationships

Question 21

Why can’t cause and effect be established in observations?

Answer 21

There may be third variables

Question 22

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 22

When a target behaviour is broken down into components that are observable and measurable

Question 23

What is event sampling?

Answer 23

Counting the number of times a particular event occurs

Question 24

What is time sampling?

Answer 24

Recording behaviour within a pre-determined time frame and recording what behaviour is occurring at every Nth time

Question 25

What is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 25

Between measures consistency

Question 26

How do researchers check for inter-observer reliability?

Answer 26

Avoid observer bias by using two observers using the same behavioural categories who independently observe the observation. If their findings correlate it suggests that the observation was accurate and have inter-observer reliability

Question 27

How can reliability of an observation be improved?

Answer 27

1. Each observer independently rates the observation 2. Correlate findings using a scattergraph 3. Observation is reliable if the level of agreement is +0.8 or above