Psychology - Research Methods Flashcards
experimental method
allows researcher to show cause and effect
experiments allow one variable to be manipulated while keeping everything the same
lab experiments
controlled condition
-adv.
increase level of control for the researcher
-dis.ad.
reduce level of ecological validity of the experiment
field experiments
takes place in natural surroundings -adv. increase ecological validity, by making the surroundings more realistic -dis.ad. reduce level of control
true experiments
both field experiments and lab control the variables under investigation and randomly allocate pp’s to a group
-these characteristics mean that they are true experiments
quasi experiments
lack control over the experimental groups used
- lack of random allocation
i. e. gender
e.g.different types of personality, control group vs psychological disorder group (cannot allocate groups randomly)
Observational Research
- uses just a few individuals to base research on
- allows researcher to have a very deep understanding of the individuals being studied
- rich data
limitations fo observational research
- want to explain all behaviour focusing attention on such a special group of people can make it difficult to generalise any observations to the larger population as a whole
- cannot be generalised
naturalistic research
- observing behaviour in its natural setting
- people change their behaviour in unexpected ways when they know they are being observed
animal research
- naturalistic observation
- observing animals in their own environments
- researchers maintain their distance and avoid interfering with the animal subjects so they dont influence their natural behaviours
advantages of naturalistic observaiton
- high validity as of the natural setting
- ecological validity and realism
- ability to generalise findings to real-world situations
- if done correctly no worry about people or animals changing their behaviour simply because they are being observed
disadvantages of naturalistic observation
- difficult to set up and control
- no control over behaviour to observe
- requires significant investments of time, money and luck
structured observation
-people are observed while engaging in set, specific tasks
non-participant observation
- watching everyday behaviour as it happens
- the observer will watch interactions from a distance/ on video taking notes using an observation schedule
observation
non experimental research method
ethics
people must be told they are being observed
-but disclosing this can alter their behaviour - observer effect
participant observation
- researcher joins in with the social situation to be able to observe it effectively without biasing the findings
i. e. Rosenhan’s 1973 observation in a psychiatric ward
limitations
- presence of the pp may make people suspicious or otherwise change their behaviour meaning that the researcher does not see authentic behaviour
- unethical for observers to assume a fake identity to observe behaviour
overt observation
in the open
- pp’s are aware they are being observed
- more ethical but leads to demand characteristics
covert observation
under cover
- pp’s unaware they are being observed
- reduces demand characteristics, pp’s act naturally
- no consent given = unethical
controlled observation
in a controlled observation the researcher has set up a situation and observes what happens
- not an experiment as there are no independent and dependant variables
i. e. Ainsworths strange situation 1969
self report techniques
non-experimental research methods
-pp’s report their own thoughts or behaviours
questionnaries
a list of questions
- often called a survey
- access a lot of pp’s
- distributed via post or email
interviews
involve a trained researcher asking pp’s questions face-to- face
-structured and untructured
structured interviews
researcher asks a sample list of questions and notes down the responses
