Psych test 1 Flashcards
Experimental design
Random allocation
Manipulation of IV
Control over EV
Advantages of experimental design
Provides a cause and effect
Maximum control over EV
Replicable
Disadvantages of experimental design
Artificial
Some can’t be done for ethics
EV could decrease validity
Quantitative Observational
Uses pre-existing groups
No manipulation of IV
Used when an experimental design is not possible
Advantages of QO
Can look into topics an experiment can’t
Gives you a correlation
Disadvantages of QO
Does not allow for cause and effect
Qualitative design
Self-reports
Produces data in verbal/written form
Does not seek to test a hypo
Delphi/focus/content analysis
Advantages of Q
Avoids ethical issues
Indepth answers
Good for attitudes and opinions
Disadvantages of Q
Does not give a C+E
Forced consensus
Results can’t be generalised
Small samples
Standard deviation
A measure of variability of a set of scores, the average distance of the scores from the mean
When is the mean helpful
When there is a lot of raw data
When is median helpful
When there are outliers
High deviation
Spread out on graph
Low deviation
high peak on graph
Limitations of small sample
Representativeness - to be able to generalise the sample must be representative of the pop.
Statistical power
Statistical power
If the sample is small there is a high chance there will be existing differences - a person with anxiety in an anxiety study - that will skewer results.
the bigger the sample the greater the statistical power
Ethics
Preserve the psychological and physical wellbeing of the participants
8 ethics
Voluntary participation Informed consent Withdrawal rights Confidentiality Debriefing Accurate reporting Professional conduct Vulnerable groups
Informed consent
When possible participants must be informed of the type of study and the reasons for.
people under 16 must get parental consent
when deception is used, participants must be debriefed
Confidentiality
Any details of the study cannot be disclosed unless written consent is given
Voluntary participation
The researcher must ensure participants have consented voluntarily
No major incentives and no punishment
Right to withdraw
Without question or hesitation. The participants must be made aware of this and the researcher must make this decision if they feel the participant is distressed.
Debriefing
The researcher must correct any mistaken beliefs that participants may have about the study
Accurate reporting
A researcher must report all data accurately
Professional conduct
Researchers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and ensure colleagues follow ethical guidelines
Vulnerable groups
Special care must be taken with vulnerable groups
4 levels of explanation
Biological
Socio-cultural
Person
Basic processes
Biological
How bio processes and chemicals influence our behaviour (altered states of awareness)
Socio-cultural
How socio-cultural factors effect our behaviour (Social cog)
