research and experiments

Question 1

quantitative vs. qualitative research

Answer 1

quantitative:

• data/numbers
• experiments, control groups

qualitative:
- feelings/opinions/beliefs
- interviews, focus groups

mixed methods: both

Question 2

anecdotal vs. empirical data

Answer 2

anecdotal:
evidence collected in a casual or informal
manner and relying heavily or entirely on personal experience

empirical data:
evidence collected through the scientific method, based on observation and/or experimentation

Question 3

experimental (research) and null hypothesis

Answer 3

experimental: predicts the relationship between IV and DV
null: states that the IV will have no significant effect on the DV, or that any change in the DV will be due to chance

aim of research is to reject the null

Question 4

how to write hypotheses

Answer 4

1. identify IV and DV
2. operationalize variables
3. research hypothesis

Question 5

ecological, external and internal validity

Answer 5

ecological validity - is about physical setting

external validity - is about population and places

internal validity - internal workings

Question 6

characteristics of experiments

Answer 6

• designed with one clear IV and DV
• factors that could affect the DV are controlled as much as possible
• Iv may be graduated, resulting in a range of conditions on a scale
• show causality or cause-and-effect

in psych it only counts as an experiments if an IV is manipulated while holding other variables constant
however any piece of research can be a study no matter the method used

Question 7

reliability vs. validity

Answer 7

reliability : refers to the consistency or replicability of research, and whether the same results would be found by other researchers, or in later repetitions

validity : refers to the accuracy or believability of research findings and whether the research measures what it is supposed to measure

Question 8

true (laboratory) experiment

Answer 8

• conducted under controlled conditions in which the researcher deliberately manipulated something (IV) to see the effect of this on something else (DV)
• there is a control and an experimental condition
• random allocation to the treatment or control condition is possible
• takes place in a controlled environment and extraneous variables are controlled for

Question 9

true experiment strengths vs limitations

Answer 9

strengths
- validity : high degree of control over the environment and other extraneous variables, accuracy to assess effects of IV so higher internal validity
- reliability : due to high levels of control, procedures can be repeated and results checked limitations of lab experiments
limitations
- lacks ecological validity : the involvement of the researcher in manipulating and controlling variables, findings cannot be easily generalized to other real life settings

Question 10

field experiments

Answer 10

include the usuals manipulation of IV but are conducted in real life environments so they offer less control over extraneous variables

Question 11

field experiments strengths vs. limitations

Answer 11

strengths
- validity: field experiments have some degree of control but also are conducted in a natural environment, so can be seen to have moderate internal and external validity
limitations
- less control of extraneous variables, which may distort findings
- internal validity likely to be lower
- ethical considerations (not always practical to get consent)

Question 12

quasi experiments

Answer 12

participants are randomly assigned to a condition on the IV
in quasi experiment participants are grouped based on a characteristic of interest, such as gender, ethnicity or scores on a depression scale
no random allocation is possible

Question 13

quasi experiments strength vs. limitations

Answer 13

strengths
- more external validity
limitations
- as a result extraneous variables cannot be controlled (less internal validity)
- cannot be replicated
- ethical considerations (not always practical to get consent)

Question 14

natural experiments

Answer 14

natural experiments involve pre-existing IVs that are manipulated naturally, not by the researcher, and therefore random assignment of participants to experimental conditions is not possible

Question 15

natural experiments strength vs. limitations

Answer 15

strengths
- high ecological validity: due to the lack of involvement of the researcher; variables are naturally occurring so finding

Question 16

participants

Answer 16

people who take part in a study

Question 17

target population

Answer 17

a specific group of people psychologists look at

Question 18

sample

Answer 18

the nature of a group of participants

Question 19

random sampling

Answer 19

• when every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
• the aim is to obtain a sample that is representative of the target population
• it can reduce the chance of sampling bias

Question 20

convenience/opportunity sampling

Answer 20

• gathers participants who happen to be available for the study at a conviene time or place
• is based on convenience, for both the researcher or participant
• depending on the nature of the study, it may lead to sampling and/or researcher bias

Question 21

volunteer/self-selected sampling

Answer 21

• participants are the ones that approach the researchers and volunteer to participate in the study
• there is typically some form of marketing that calls for volunteers
• participants may have more commitment to the study due to the fact that they volunteered