Paper 3: Part 1 - Methods and Sampling

Question 1

What are the 5 methods of research?

Answer 1

1. Experiments
2. Observations
3. Interviews
4. Correlational studies
5. Case studies

Question 2

What are the 2 characteristics of true experiments?

Answer 2

1. experimenters decide on the IV which they manipulate to see whether this brings a change in the DV which is measured in some quantitative way
2. all other variables which might affect the dependent variable are controlled so that the findings of experiments can have strong internal validity

Question 3

What are the 2 characteristics of quasi-experiments?

Answer 3

• quasi means ‘seemingly’ or ‘apparently’
  1. the researcher manipulates an IV
  2. findings may lack internal validity as participants cannot be randomly allocated as these groupings are outside of the control of the experimenter- may be uncontrolled variables that led participants to be in one group and not the other, which are responsible for any changes in the DV

Question 4

What are the 2 characteristics of natural experiments?

Answer 4

1. the IV is naturally occurring (e.g. before and after the introduction of western TV channels on a remote island)
2. the findings of natural experiments may lack internal validity, as changes in the DV may have arisen due to extraneous factors (i.e. other societal changes which accompanied the introduction of Western TV were actually responsible for changes in the DV)

Question 5

What are the 2 characteristics of field experiments?

Answer 5

1. they seek causal relationships between a deliberately manipulated IV and a measured DV yet they do not take place under controlled conditions - conducted in real-world environments where participants can be found going about their daily business
2. participants are often unaware that they are being observed as part of an experiment, meaning that their behavior is more natural - while this increases the ecological validity of the findings, the inability to control extraneous variables due to the natural setting decreases internal validity

Question 6

What are the 2 characteristics of naturalistic observation: covert?

Answer 6

1. the observer collects data from participants in their natural environments without any deliberate manipulation of the setting (while tallying can be used to collect quantitative data, the researcher may record qualitative ‘field notes’, describing behaviors of interest while diagrams and sketches may also be used)
2. in a covert observation, participants are unaware of the observer and according to the BPS this is ethical if the study takes place in a public setting; data collected will be more credible as a behavior will be less inhibited and unaffected by demand characteristics or evaluation apprehension for example

Question 7

What are the 2 characteristics of naturalistic observation: non-participant?

Answer 7

1. the observer collects data from participants in their natural environments without any deliberate manipulation of the setting
2. in a non-participant observation, the researcher remains separate from the activities of the group and does not interact with participants whilst conducting the observation; this lack of involvement means that the researcher is free to focus entirely on the data collection, arguably leading to a more accurate record of events

Question 8

What are the 2 characteristics of naturalistic observation: participant?

Answer 8

1. the observer collects data from participants in their natural environments without any deliberate manipulation of the setting
2. in a participant observation the researcher becomes actively involved within the community or group that he or she is studying; this facilitates a unique perspective that would not have been otherwise possible and though this can lead to subjectivity, the credibility may be enhanced

Question 9

What are the 2 characteristics of unstructured interviews?

Answer 9

1. unstructured interviews have a clear research objective and the interview schedule will include broad topics or themes for discussion - defining features are flexibility and freedom; the direction of the interview is determined by the interviewee and the interviewer bases any questions asked on their previous responses
2. unstructured interviewers need more training and experience to collect credible data; eliciting relevant information without asking leading questions and with minimal guidance in the interview schedule requires practice and skill

Question 10

What are the 2 characteristics of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 10

1. a semi-structured interview is more flexible than a structured interview; while there is a pre-determined set of questions in the interview schedule, the interviewer may deviate from this, asking follow-on questions if the interviewee presents an unanticipated and relevant view; the interviewer may also rephrase questions and alter the order as appropriate
2. the semi-structured interview schedule may include both open and closed questions: open questions prompt longer, richer answers from respondents allowing them to elaborate in their own words without being guided in any particular direction by the interviewer while closed questions result in brief, precise answers of just a few words

Question 11

What are the 2 characteristics of a focus group?

Answer 11

1. a focus group comprises 8-12 people who are interviewed together about a topic of common interest; this size group works well allowing all members to have their say; people who share similar experiences tend to bond together, developing a sense of belonging and trust which helps them to talk freely about even sensitive issues
2. in a focus group, the researcher becomes the group facilitator and their role is to monitor the discussion, keep the group on the topic if they veer off into an irrelevant topic; they must ensure that all issues raised are responded to and explored as fully as possible within the time available

Question 12

What are the 2 characteristics of correlational studies?

Answer 12

1. correlational studies have no manipulated variable and therefore do not seek to establish causal relationships; they have 2 or more measured variables known as co-variables which are measured using quantitative data (e.g. through some sort of rating scale)
2. correlational studies are common in areas of psychology where it may not be possible to ethically or practically manipulate variables; as there is no attempt to establish causality, internal validity relates solely to the extent to which the instruments used to measure the co-variables provide accurate and meaningful data
3. correlational studies often use pre-established data sets

Question 13

What are the 2 characteristics of case studies?

Answer 13

1. case studies typically focus on a single individual, group, or organization that is unusual in some way; the researcher generally collects a detailed case history including secondary data to gain necessary insight before collecting their own primary data
2. case studies often comprise data that has been gathered using a variety of techniques including interviews, observation, and the use of standardized tests for example. This is known as method triangulation and results in a rich and detailed insight into the behaviors of interest