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Psychology > PY3 - Research Methods > Flashcards

PY3 - Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a content analysis?

A

A type of observational study in which areas of interest are observed indirectly in written/verbal material.

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2
Q

What is a disadvantage of an observation study?

A

Researcher bias reduces the validity of findings and raises the issue of inter-observer reliability.

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3
Q

What is a disadvantage of a questionnaire?

A

People may lie to give socially desirable answers which could make results untrue.

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4
Q

Define a lab experiment.

A

An experiment conducted in an artificial setting that is highly controlled where the IV is manipulated and the DV is measured.

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5
Q

What is a disadvantage of an interview?

A

Can be time consuming as only one participant can be interviewed at a time or more people would have to be trained to conduct interviews.

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6
Q

What is a disadvantage of an overt observation?

A

More chance of demand characteristics as participants are aware that they are being observed.

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7
Q

What is a covert observation?

A

Where the observers role is hidden from participants and they are usually unaware that they are being observed.

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8
Q

What is a disadvantage of a participant observation?

A

More chance of demand characteristics as the behaviour could be influenced by the presence of the researcher.

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9
Q

Define a natural experiment.

A

An experiment conducted in a natural setting where the researcher examines a naturally occurring IV and measures the DV.

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10
Q

What is a disadvantage of a field experiment?

A

Low levels of control over extraneous variables meaning that it is difficult to establish cause and effect.

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11
Q

What is a disadvantage of a lab experiment?

A

Lacks ecological validity due to the artificial setting therefore its difficult I apply to a real life situation.

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12
Q

Define a participant observation.

A

A type of observation study whereby the researcher joins in with the activity/behaviour being observed.

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13
Q

What is an advantage of a lab experiment?

A

High control over extraneous variables making cause and effect easy to establish.

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14
Q

What is an advantage of a non participant observation?

A

Less chance of demand characteristics as the behaviour is more likely to be natural with no researcher interference.

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15
Q

What is a disadvantage of a content analysis?

A

Information is subjective to interpretation from observers/researchers which reduces the validity of the findings.

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16
Q

What is an interview?

A

A self report method where a researcher asks questions that are usually open ended, one to one and face to face.

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17
Q

What is a questionnaire?

A

A self reported method where either open or closed questions are distributed then collected back for analysis.

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18
Q

What is an advantage of a participant observation?

A

Provides a greater understanding of the participants behaviour as the researcher can take the viewpoint of the participants.

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19
Q

What is an overt observation?

A

The nature of the observers role is obvious to the participants and they are aware that they’re being observed.

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20
Q

What is a disadvantage of a covert observation?

A

Raises ethical issues such as lack of informed consent and deception as participants are unaware that they’re being observed.

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21
Q

What is quantitative data?

A

Data that I numerical in nature such as scores from experiments, this type of data can be subjected to descriptive statistics and be put into graphs.

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22
Q

Define qualitative data.

A

Data that is non numerical and is descriptive in nature, it involves descriptions, opinions and ideas which provides data rich in detail.

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23
Q

Define construct validity.

A

A test of internal validity which examine the extent to which the test used within the study measures underlying theoretical constructs.

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24
Q

What is content validity?

A

A test of internal validity which examines the accuracy of a study in relation to if it measures what it intends to measure.

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25
Q

What is concurrent validity?

A

A test of external validity which examines the accuracy of a study in relation to if the results of the study are similar to those found by researchers of similar studies.

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26
Q

What is validity?

A

A measure of accuracy.
Internal: whether it measures what it intends to measure
External: the extent to which findings can be applied beyond the research setting.

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27
Q

Define inter-rater reliability.

A

Whether two or more researchers interpretations of behaviour are the same. Data needs to be collected in a consistent manner.

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28
Q

What is reliability?

A

A measure of consistency both within an experiment (internal) which measures the consistency of the measuring tool and also external which measures if the study produces consistent results.

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29
Q

Define operationalise.

A

Defining variables (e.g. Independent and dependent) in a clear and precise way so that they can be accurately tested, observed or measured.

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30
Q

What is an advantage of a covert piece of research?

A

Little chance of demand characteristics as participants don’t know that they’re being observed.

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31
Q

What is an advantage of an overt observation?

A

Less ethical issues as participants know they they’re being observed.

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32
Q

What is an advantage of an observation study?

A

Data can be obtained from participants who can’t do self-report methods or participants in experiments e.g. Babies

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33
Q

Why is an advantage of a questionnaire?

A

They’re quick and easy to distribute and to complete.

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34
Q

What is a disadvantage of a correlation?

A

Unable to establish cause and effect due to low control over extraneous variable.

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35
Q

What is an advantage of a correlation?

A

Allows us to investigate factors that would be impractical or unethical to do in any other setting.

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36
Q

What is a correlation?

A

A type of study that examines the relationship between two co-variables to see if one has an effect on another.

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37
Q

What is a disadvantage of a case study?

A

Lacks population validity as there is only one participant which means it can’t be generalise to a wider population.

38
Q

What is an advantage of a case study?

A

Generates in depth qualitative data therefore giving a greater understanding of the research aims.

39
Q

Define case study.

A

An in depth study that is usually conducted one or a small group of individuals taking place over a long period of time and produces qualitative data.

40
Q

What is an advantage of a natural experiment?

A

Highest in ecological validity as conducted in a completely natural setting.

41
Q

What is a disadvantage of a natural experiment?

A

No control over extraneous variable so cause and effect can be easily established.

42
Q

What is an advantage of an interview?

A

Can get a large amount of in depth, qualitative data as participants can or more information.

43
Q

Describe a field experiment.

A

An experiment conducted in a natural setting with the researcher manipulating the independent variable and measuring the dependent variable.

44
Q

What is an advantage of a content analysis?

A

High levels of ecological validity as it is based on observations of real experiences.

45
Q

What is a disadvantage of a non participant observation?

A

May provide a less detailed understanding of the participants behaviour than a participant observation as the researcher has a more distanced viewpoint.

46
Q

What is an advantage of a field experiment?

A

High levels of ecological validity due to the natural setting.

47
Q

What is a non participant observation?

A

A type of observational study whereby the researcher doesn’t join in with the activity/behaviour being observed.

48
Q

What is an advantage of qualitative date/open questions?

A

You can gain rich detailed data which can help understand people reasoning for the behaviour that they show.

49
Q

What is meant by closed questions?

A

A question that generates quantitative data and only allows set responses (e.g. yes/no answers).

50
Q

Define an open question.

A

A question that requires participants to answer in any way that they wish by providing detailed, qualitative data.

51
Q

What is an observation study?

A

When behaviour is observed that is of interest to the research. Naturalistic: behaviour recorded in a natural situation with no researcher manipulation. Controlled: some factors controlled by the researcher.

52
Q

What is an disadvantage of qualitative date/open questions?

A

It is difficult and time consuming to analyse data as answers need to be carefully read and understood in order to take the correct information from them.

53
Q

What is an advantage of quantitative/closed questions?

A

Data is easy to analyse as it can have descriptive statistics applied on graphs to make data more clear.

54
Q

What is a disadvantage of closed questions?

A

Data tends to be narrow and limited meaning that the reason behind behaviour is not fully uncovered.

55
Q

What is the independent variable?

A

The variable that it is manipulated by the researcher to see what effect it has on the dependent variable.

56
Q

What is the dependent variable?

A

The variable that is measured to see what effect the independent variable has had on it.

57
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

A precise and testable statement of which the researcher predicts the outcome of a study that they attempt to prove or disprove.

58
Q

What is a directional hypothesis?

A

A precise and testable statement that predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV but also specifies the direction of the effect.

59
Q

What is a non directional hypothesis?

A

A precise and testable statement that predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV but doesn’t specifies the direction of the effect.

60
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

A precise and testable statement that predicts that the IV will not have an effect on the DV.

61
Q

What are confounding variables?

A

Additional variables within a study which are not under the experimenters control but can have an effect on the dependent variable, meaning that cause and effect can’t be easily established.

62
Q

What is nominal data?

A

Data that can be grouped into categories; the scores are described as frequencies e.g. how many males or females.

63
Q

What is ordinal data?

A

Data that can be placed in rank order, either ascending or descending, but the data does not have equal intervals e.g. ratings on a happiness scale.

64
Q

What is interval data?

A

Data that can be placed in rank order with regular intervals (such as temperature) but can go below zero.

65
Q

What is ratio data?

A

Data that can be placed in rank order with regular intervals but has a true zero (e.g. distance)

66
Q

What are co-variables?

A

Two variables that are being investigated within a correlations study to see if there is a relationship/ link between them i.e.to see if one has a direct influence onto the other.

67
Q

What is the mean?

A

A test of the average set of scores found by adding together the total score and dividing the total by the amount of sets of results that there are.

68
Q

What is the median?

A

Finding the middle value in a set of scores after they have been placed in rank order. If there are two numbers that are the middle value, the average needs to be found of these two numbers to find the median.

69
Q

What is the mode?

A

Finding the most frequently occurring value in a set of scores, there can be more than one mode if numerous similar scores are all present in the results.

70
Q

What is random sampling?

A

When everyone in the target population had an equal chance of taking part. For example through a computer programme or choosing names out of a hat.

71
Q

What are two advantages of random sampling?

A

Not biased as there is no control over who is selected to take part.
More likely to be representative of the target population as they all have an equal chance of getting chosen.

72
Q

What are two disadvantages of random sampling?

A

The sample can still be biased and unrepresentative of the target population e.g. more males could be selected than females
Takes longer to obtain participants than other methods especially if there is a large target population e.g. 1000’s of people

73
Q

What is opportunity sampling?

A

The researcher selects whoever is in the location at the time of the study e.g. the first 10 people to pass them.

74
Q

What are two advantages of opportunity sampling?

A

Quick and easy to select participants in comparison to other methods as it is just who is there at the time.
Easier to select a more representative sample e.g. 5 males and 5 females.

75
Q

What are two disadvantages of opportunity sampling?

A

The method Is open to researcher bias as they could select only certain people to take part e.g. Who looks friendly and approachable
Everyone in the target population might not have an equal chance of getting chosen e.g. Those available at the time may not be representation of the target population, for example mothers out shopping.

76
Q

What is volunteer sampling?

A

A researcher advertises for people to choose to take part in a piece of research. This is usually in a poster or newspaper advert that participants will then contact the researcher directly about.

77
Q

What are two advantages of a volunteer sample?

A

Easy to gain sample as an advert can be created and then participants contact the researcher.
Participants should be motivated to take part therefore lessening the chance of order effects and lack Of motivation.

78
Q

What are two disadvantages of a volunteer sample?

A

You tend to get similar personality types who volunteer (eg outgoing) meaning that results won’t be generalisable to a wider population.
Can still gain an unrepresentative sole for example, if there is a financial incentive more unemployed people are likely to apply than employed people.

79
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A

Participants are selected at specific intervals (every nth person) from names on a list.

80
Q

Why is an advantage of systematic sampling?

A

The method isn’t biased as the researcher has no choice over participants position on the list or who is chosen meaning that the sample should be more representative of the target population.

81
Q

What are two disadvantages of systematic sampling?

A

Can still end up with an unrepresentative sample for example every nth person could be male.
Can be time consuming as all of the names of the target population would have to be gathered to put into a list.

82
Q

What is a stratified sample?

A

When subgroups within a population are identified (e.g. Males and females). Participants are then gained from each of the subgroups in proportion to their occurrence within the target population. Sample is selected by random sampling.

83
Q

What is quota sampling?

A

When subgroups within a population are identified (e.g. Males and females). Participants are then gained from each of the subgroups in proportion to their occurrence within the target population. Selection is then done from a sampling method other than random e.g. Opportunity sampling.

84
Q

What is an advantage of stratified sampling?

A

It can be very representative of the population if done correctly because each subgroup within the population is equally represented in the sample, therefore giving the results population validity.

85
Q

What is an advantage of quote sampling?

A

It can be very representative of the population if done correctly because each subgroup within the population is equally represented in the sample, therefore giving the results population validity.

86
Q

What is a disadvantage of stratified sampling?

A

It’s time consuming and difficult because not only do you have to obtain all of the names of the target population then you have to subgroups and proportions.

87
Q

What is quota sampling?

A

When subgroups within a population are identified (e.g. Males and females). Participants are then gained from each of the subgroups in proportion to their occurrence within the target population. Selection is then done from a sampling method other than random e.g. Opportunity sampling.

88
Q

What is an advantage of stratified sampling?

A

It can be very representative of the population if done correctly because each subgroup within the population is equally represented in the sample, therefore giving the results population validity.

89
Q

What is an advantage of quote sampling?

A

It can be very representative of the population if done correctly because each subgroup within the population is equally represented in the sample, therefore giving the results population validity.

90
Q

What is a disadvantage of stratified sampling?

A

It’s time consuming and difficult because not only do you have to obtain all of the names of the target population then you have to subgroups and proportions.

Psychology (7 decks)

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