Quasi Experimental, Correlational, and Descriptive Designs 2 Flashcards
What’s a panel, longitudinal and retrospective study?
panel: participants who are studied at several points in time using similar measures, same ps every time
longitudinal: samples are studied at different times, there’s no implication it’s the same group every time
retrospective: study asks participants to answer questions from a past perspective
What’s the mediator, moderator and suppressor variable?
All different types of third variables
mediator: a variable which accounts for the relationship between variables X and Y
moderator: size and sign of the association between 2 variables vary according to the values of the third variable
suppressor: a variable which has the effect of making the relationship between X and Y smaller or zero
What types of correlation can a panel design be used to collect?
synchronous: the usual correlations between X and Y measured at the same point in time
test-retest/lagged correlation: variable X is measured at time 1, variable X measured again at time 2
cross-lagged: variable X measured at time 1, variable Y measured at time 2
What are some examples of self report methods?
Interviews: ps asked to answer verbally
Questionnaires/surveys: ps asked to write down answers
Structured interview or questionnaires: all ps answer the same questions
split-ballot technique: survey where experimental manipulation is included
Clinical method: type of interview in which a ps response to each successive question determines what the investigator will ask next
What are the issues with longitudinal studies?
External Validity
e.g.
Can’t be generalised to other groups
Relationships might be different depending on the geographical location and throughout different periods of time
What are some examples of observational studies?
Naturalistic: a method in which the scientist tests the hypothesis by observing people as they engage in everyday activities in their natural habitats
Time sampling: a procedure in which the investigator records the frequencies with which individuals display particular behaviours
Structured observation: the investigator cues the behaviour of interest and observes ps responses in a lab
Ethnography: researchers seek to understand the tradition and social processes of a culture or subculture by living with members and making observations and notes
What are the limitations for self report methods and observational studies?
Observed behaviours may be influenced by the observer’s presence like social desirability
Recall bias
Conclusions may be biased by the researcher’s point of view
What are case studies?
Research method where the investigator gathers extensive information about the specific event of an individual/specific group of people/life
What is a limitation of using case studies?
Conclusions drawn from individuals are subjective and may not apply to other people
Generalisability issue
