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Psychology - Research Methods > Research Method Description > Flashcards

Research Method Description Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the types of Research Methods?

A

1) Observation
2) Self-report
3) Case study
4) Content analysis
5) Correlational method
6) Experiment

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2
Q

Observation

A

Participants looked at when engaged in whatever behaviour is being studied.

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3
Q

Types of observation

A

1) Naturalistic
2) Controlled

3) Participant
4) Non participant

5) Disclosed (overt)
6) Undisclosed (covert)

7) Structured
8) Unstructured

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4
Q

Naturalistic

A

Researcher is observing naturally occurring behaviour.

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5
Q

Controlled

A

Researcher attempts to control certain variables.

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6
Q

Participant

A

Requires researcher to join the group or partake in the study.

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7
Q

Non participant

A

Observations made from a distance or from outside the group being studied.

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8
Q

Disclosed (overt)

A

Participants are aware that they’re being observed.

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9
Q

Undisclosed (covert)

A

Participants are unaware that they’re being observed.

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10
Q

Structured

A

Researcher determines what behaviours need to be observed.

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11
Q

Unstructured

A

Researcher uses direct observations to record behaviours as they happen.

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12
Q

Self-report

A

Self-report techniques describe methods of gathering data where participants provide information about themselves without interference from the experimenter.

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13
Q

Types of Self-reported Data

A

1) Questionnaires
2) Interviews

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14
Q

Questionnaires

A

Asking a large sample of people for info on a specific topic.

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15
Q

What type of questions are asked in questionnaires/interviews?

A

1) Open questions
2) Closed questions

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16
Q

Open questions

A

Questions that allow participants to answer in their own words, without fixed responses.

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17
Q

Closed questions

A

Questions that limit the participant into a set of pre-determined answers.

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18
Q

Interview

A

Asking questions with a face-to-face nature.

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19
Q

What are the 2 forms of interviews?

A

1) Structured
2) Unstructured

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20
Q

Structured

A

Questions decided in advance.

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21
Q

Unstructured

A

Interview begins with some general aims but the interviewee’s answers guide subsequent questions.

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22
Q

Case study

A

An in-depth study of an individual or group. Uses info from a number of sources. Many techniques may be used.

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23
Q

Content analysis

A

An analytical approach based on the coding and quantification of various elements in any kind of text in a medium.

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24
Q

Correlational methods

A

Establishes relationships or associations between co-variables.

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25
Q

Experiment

A

Most rigorous test. Establishes cause and effect. 3 key features: manipulation of IV, randomisation and control.

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26
Q

What are the 4 types of Experiments?

A

1) Laboratory
2) Quasi
3) Field
4) Natural

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27
Q

Laboratory

A

Meets all 3 key features.

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28
Q

Quasi

A

No randomisation. Participants allocated to conditions according to characteristics they already possess.

29
Q

Field

A

Control of IVs but not EVs. Not necessarily random allocation.

30
Q

Natural

A

None of the 3 key feature.

31
Q

Advantages of Naturalistic Observations

A
  • High levels of ecological validity.
  • If unaware, participants may behave more naturally.
32
Q

Disadvantages of Naturalistic Observations

A
  • No control over the EVs.
  • If unaware, raise ethical issues.
33
Q

Advantages of Controlled Observations

A
  • Higher control of the EVs.
34
Q

Disadvantages of Controlled Observations

A
  • Behaviour may not be natural, reduces ecological validity.
  • Participants may be affected by the fact that they are being observed.
35
Q

Advantages of Participant Observations

A
  • High ecological validity.
  • Rich qualitative data.
36
Q

Disadvantages of Participant Observation

A
  • Researcher has to rely on memory.
  • Observer may become emotionally involved.
37
Q

Advantages of Non-participant Observations

A
  • Record observations as they occur, more reliable.
  • More objective, less involved.
38
Q

Disadvantages of Non-participant Observations

A
  • No relationship formed, less trust.
  • Meaning of the behaviour not so clear from a distance.
39
Q

Advantages of Disclosed (overt) observations

A
  • Reduction of ethical issues.
  • Increases the trust.
40
Q

Disadvantages of Disclosed (overt) Observations

A
  • Increase in demand characteristics.
41
Q

Advantages of Undisclosed (covert) Observations

A
  • Fewer demand characteristics.
42
Q

Disadvantages of Undisclosed (covert) observations

A
  • Ethical issues raised.
  • May come to distrust psychologists in the future.
43
Q

Advantages of Structured observations

A
  • Makes the recording of data easier and more systematic.
  • Likely to produce quantitative data which makes it easier to analyse and compare.
  • Smaller risk of observer bias.
44
Q

Disadvantages of Structured observations

A
  • Results aren’t as in depth and detailed.
  • Some behaviours the researcher records may not be important
45
Q

Advantages of Unstructured observations

A
  • More detailed results.
46
Q

Disadvantages of Unstructured observations

A
  • There may be a greater risk of observer bias (no behavioural categories).
  • Produces qualitative data which is more difficult to analyse.
47
Q

Advantages of Open Questions

A
  • Rich qualitative data.
  • Allows respondent to express what they really think.
48
Q

Disadvantages of Open Questions

A
  • Can make analysis difficult.
49
Q

Advantages of Closed Questions

A
  • Quantitative data that can be statistically analysed.
50
Q

Disadvantages of Closed Questions

A
  • Artificial questioning not realistic.
  • Loses the richness of qualitative responses.
  • Might not understand questions.
51
Q

Advantages of Questionnaires

A
  • Large sample relatively quickly.
  • Large amounts of data.
  • Researcher doesn’t need to be present.
  • Investigator effects reduced.
52
Q

Disadvantages of Questionnaires

A
  • Social desirability.
  • May be untruthful.
  • Low response rates.
  • Distortion of the sampling frame.
  • Different interpretations of the questions.
53
Q

Advantages of Interviews

A
  • Detailed qualitative data.
  • Participants express themselves freely.
  • Encouraged to be honest.
54
Q

Disadvantages of Interviews

A
  • Statistical analysis difficult.
  • More time consuming than the questionnaire.
  • Increased investigator effects.
55
Q

Advantages of Case Study

A
  • Rich meaningful data.
  • High ecological validity.
  • Basis for future research.
56
Q

Disadvantages of Case Study

A
  • Difficult to replicate, difficult to establish reliability.
  • Difficult to generalise findings.
  • Possibility of researcher bias is high.
57
Q

Advantages of Content Analysis

A
  • High in ecological validity.
  • Findings can be tested for reliability through replication.
58
Q

Disadvantages of Content Analysis

A
  • Observer bias reduced validity.
  • Likely to be culturally biased.
59
Q

Advantages of Correlational Method

A
  • Allows researchers to analyse situations that cannot be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons.
  • Can suggest trends that can lead to experiments.
60
Q

Disadvantages of Correlational Method

A
  • Does not imply causation.
  • Only identifies linear relationships not curvilinear relationships.
61
Q

Advantages of Laboratory Experiments

A
  • High level of control (IV and EVs).
  • Replicability.
  • Can conclude cause and effect.
62
Q

Disadvantages of Laboratory Experiments

A
  • Lack ecological validity.
  • Investigator effects.
  • Demand characteristics.
  • Artificiality.
63
Q

Advantages of Field Experiments

A
  • Can conclude cause and effect.
  • Higher levels of ecological validity.
  • Reduced demand characteristics.
64
Q

Disadvantages of Field Experiments

A
  • Less control over EVs.
  • More time consuming.
  • Random allocation difficult.
65
Q

Advantages of Natural Experiments

A
  • High levels of ecological validity.
  • Useful where it would be unethical or impossible to manipulate the IV.
66
Q

Disadvantages of Natural Experiments

A
  • Loss of control of EVs; can’t conclude cause and effect.
  • No random allocation of conditions.
67
Q

Advantages of Quasi Experiments

A
  • High ecological validity.
68
Q

Disadvantages of Quasi Experiments

A
  • Lack of control.
  • Not replicable.

Psychology - Research Methods (20 decks)

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