psychological research

Question 1

what are ‘participants’

Answer 1

people that take part in the research

Question 2

what is a self-selecting sample

Answer 2

someone volunteers to take part

Question 3

positives of a self-selecting sample (4)

Answer 3

• varied samples
• prevents bias
• people consent to take part
• more willing to take part

Question 4

negatives of a self-selecting sample (3)

Answer 4

• not enough people may volunteer for the study
• advertising requires time and money
• volunteers may not represent population as a whole

Question 5

what is an opportunity sample

Answer 5

people who are available at the time take part in the study

Question 6

positives of an opportunity sample (2)

Answer 6

• can pick people specific to the study
• quick and easy

Question 7

what is a lab experiment

Answer 7

experiments that take place in a controlled setting

Question 8

three key features in a lab experiment

Answer 8

• independent variable
• dependent variable
• high level of control

Question 9

independent variable definition

Answer 9

the aspect being changed in the study

Question 10

dependent variable definition

Answer 10

the aspect being measured in the study

Question 11

high level of control meaning

Answer 11

as much of the study as possible is kept the same for all participants

Question 12

advantages of lab experiments (3)

Answer 12

• no risk of error
• no unpredictable events (everything controlled)
• can be replicable (copied or reproduced easily), to check if the results are consistent

Question 13

disadvantages of lab experiments (2)

Answer 13

• artificial, may not reflect real life
• participants may respond to suit what they think is being tested

Question 14

name the two formats of data

Answer 14

• quantitative
• qualitative

Question 15

what is quantitative data

Answer 15

when the data is in number format (numerical)

Question 16

what is qualitative data

Answer 16

when the data is in written format

Question 17

advantages of quantitative data (2)

Answer 17

• easy to compare and spot trends in data
• can summarise and present in tables and graphs

Question 18

disadvantages of quantitative data (2)

Answer 18

• less detailed
• unexpected behaviours (anomalies) may not be counted

Question 19

advantages of qualitative data (2)

Answer 19

• more detailed
• unexpected behaviours can be captured

Question 20

disadvantages of qualitative data (3)

Answer 20

• based on opinions
• data may not be accurate/varied
• difficult to analyse and present data in summarised forms

Question 21

what is demand characteristics

Answer 21

participants look for how to behave to fit the aim of the study

Question 22

what is conforming

Answer 22

behaving like those around you even if you disagree

Question 23

what is a situational explanation

Answer 23

the way a person behaves ss dependent on their circumstance. they will alter their actions to fit with the relevant environment

Question 24

what is an individual explanation

Answer 24

the way a person behaves is according to their natural personality, no matter on the situation

Question 25

what are ‘confederates’

Answer 25

people who pretend to be participants in a study