Reaserch In Psychology Flashcards
Qualitative reaserch
Qualitative research methods collects data utilizing naturalistic and verbal reports.
case studies, participant observations, focus groups, and informal interviews.
Quantitative reaserch
Deals in investigating human behaviour by quantifying that behaviour so it can be measured in numbers and statistics.
Operationalized variable
How you will define and measure a specific variable
Experimental Studies
One variable has an effect on another variable (cause and effect)
Correlational Studies
Correlational research is a type of nonexperimental research in which the researcher measures two variables and assesses the statistical relationship (i.e., the correlation) between them . No Iv is manioulated
Descriptive Studies
Want to know aspect of a phenomenon
Sample
group of individuals taking part in the research study.
Gereralizability
extent to which the results of the study can
be applied beyond the sample and the settings used in the study itself
Opportunity sampling
Selected based on naturally occuring groups, people available at the time
Random Sampling
Each person has the same chance of being selected. Best in making sample representative
Self selected sampling + strength and lim
Recruiting volunteers. Strength: quick and easy Limitation: more motivated than average population due to possible incentive
Snowball Sampling
Participants recruit other participants for a study
Stratified sampling
Sample matches the make up of populations. Participants within various sub groups are randomply selected
Extraneous variables
Underisable variables thta may affect the validity of the study
Internal validity
To what extent is the change in DV caused by IV (credibility)
Population validity
Generalizaility to wider population
Ecological validity
Generalizability yo other RL setting
Construct validity
Generalizability to theory
Laboratory Experiemnet
experiment in controlled conditions using a standarized procedure in order to control the variables LOW internal validity
Field Experiments
Conducted in a real life setting. Reaserchers control IV but many extraneous variables cannot be controlled
Strength of field experiment
High ecological validity - generalizable to real lide settings
3 Limitations of field experiments
Cannot control extraneous variables (less internal validity) / cannot be easily replicated / ethical considerations - not practical to get informed consent or debriefing
Limitation of lab experiment
Low ecological validity - not completly generalizble to real life settings
Strength of Lab experiment
High internal validity. total control of variables
Quasi Experiment
No randomassignment of participants to different levels of independant variable (contains a natural occuring IV) for example anxiety, age, gender, cultural backround
Natural Experiment (subset of Quasi experiment)
Conducted in natural environmnet but reasercher no control over naturally occuring IV
avantage and disadavnatge of natural experiment
Strength: High ecological validity + used when unethical to manipulate IV
Limitation: Low internal validity as low control on confounding variables
Correlational Studies
non experimenal reaserch method, measures two variables, understands statistical relationship between them
Positive correlation
both variables affected in same way . as x increases y increases
negative correlation
as one variable increases, other decreases
Triangulation
Combination of different approaches to collect and interpret data
Method Tri: different methods to complement strengths and limitations
Data Tri: data from a variety of sources
Reasercher tri: combining observations/ interpretations from other reaserchers
Rapport
For particpants to behave honestly
- voluntrary participation
- right to withdrawl
Iterative questioning
Spotting suspicious answers and rephrasing the question again, allows reasercher to have a deeper insight into the phenomenon
Reflexivity (epistemological and personal)
Reaserchers reflect that their own biases might have interfered with observations or interpretations
Epistemological: strengths limitations of method used to collect data
personal: personal beliefes and expecations
Credibility checks
checking data accuracy for example asking participants to read transfripts to confirm accuracy
Thik descriptions
Not only explaining observed behavior but context
Acquiescence bias (paeticipant)
Tendency to give positive answers. Reaserchers need to make neutral open ended questions
Social desirability bias (participant)
Participants tendency to respond in a way they think would be the most accepted
Dominant respondent bias (participant)
Group setting where one participant takes control and influence others answers
Sensitivity bias (participant)
DIstort responses on sensitive subejects
Reasercher should prove conficentiality
Confirmation bias (reasercher)
reasercher tendency to confrim a belief thus influencing question wording etc
Leading question bias (reasercher)
Respondants inclined to answer in a certain way due to reasercher wording
Sampling bias
When sampling is not adequate for aim of reasercher
Quota Sampling (qualitative)
Decided previusly how many peopel and charcateristics
Purposive sampling (qualitative)
participant characteristics defined in advantage but sample size is not
Theoretical sampling
Stops when data saturation is met no new information is being obtained
Laboratory vs naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic observation - carried out in settings that are not arranged for the study
Overt vs Covert observation
Overt - participants aware that they are being observed
Covert - reasercher does not inform his presence
Interview
Insight into subjective experiences
Personal form of reaserch
Structured, Unstructured, semi strauctured
Structured - fixed list of questions
Semi strauctured - no order or set of particual questions
Focus group advantaeges and disadvantages
Type of semi structured interview
quick to get info, natural, conformtable environmen, multiple perspectives
lim: dominant participamts , confidentialiyty, sampling demanding
Content analysis
Writing the transcript
reading material several times
Groupings of info
summaries
Case Study
In depth investigation. of individual or group
long period of time, combination of differnet methods
sampling is not an issue interested in particcular case however generalization is not completly accurate and mostly is theoretical generalization
Informed consent
voluntary particopantion as much information of the experiment
harm protection
protected from psyicial and mental harm (including long term consequences)
Anonimity and confidentiality
confidentiality: reasercher knows but is confidential
Anonimity: reasercher does not know either
Withdrawl
Free to exit the study when they want
Deception
When a researcher gives false information to subjects or intentionally misleads them about some key aspect of the research
Reaserches must use it to bare minimum
Debriefing
After the studty, participants are fully informed and given the opportunity to veiw and withdrawl their data
Expectancy effect
: the participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses with the goal of “helping” the researcher. This may result in acting in a certain way or giving the “right answer.”
Screw you effect
the participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses, but only in order to destroy the credibility of the study.
QUANTITATIVE
reasech techniques and types of experiments
Experimental Studies
- field, laboratory, Quasi, natural
Correlational Studies
Descriptive studies
QUALITATIVE reasech techniques (to go deeper)
Interviews
Focus groups
Observations
Case study
Content analysis
