Research Methods Flashcards
What are aims?
The intention or research question developed from our theory
What is the dependent variable ? (DV)
What is being measured
What is the independent variable ? ( IV)
What the researcher changes
What is meant by operationalising your variables?
Making sure your variable are in a form that can be easily tested. So the IV needs to be specific and the DV needs to be measurable
What is a extraneous variable ?
Any variable, other than the independent variable, that may have an effect on the dependent variable if it’s not controlled.
What is a confounding variable?
Any variable, other than the IV t, that may affect the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV. They cannot be controlled before the experiment.
What are demand characteristics?
Any cue from the researcher or from research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation. This may lead yo a participant changing there behaviour within the research situation. It is a extraneous variable.
What is the investigators effect ?
Any effect of the investigators behaviour(conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome (the DV) . This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, participants during the research process.
What is randomisation?
The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of the conditions.
What is standardisation?
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
What are the disadvantages of independent group designs ?
- differences between the groups on the Dv may be more to do with the participants variable.
- they are less economical than repeated measure designs
What is the advantages of using independent group designs?
Order effective are not a problem.
What is the disadvantages of using repeated measures design ?
- Order effects. Such as the participants become bored or tired so might deteriorate there performance on the second task. It’s a confounding effect.
- demand characteristic tends to be more of a feature as participants are likely to workout the aim.
What are the advantages of using repeated measures ?
Participant variable are controlled and fewer participants are needed.
What are the advantages of using matched pairs?
- participants only need to take part in a single condition so order effects and demand characteristics are less of a problem.
What are the disadvantages of matched pairs ?
- although there is some attempt to reduce participants variable in this design, participants can never be matched exactly so participant effects May effect the DV.
- matching may be time consuming and expensive. Particularly if a pre test is required so it’s less economical than other designs.
What is random sampling ?
When you pick people out at random e.g picking a name out of a hat or using a computer to select the names at random.
What is systematic sampling?
Selecting names from the sampling frame at regular intervals
What is a sampling frame?
A list of people in the target population organised into, for instance, alphabetical order.
What is opportunity sampling ?
Approaching people who are available at the time (in the same place as you) and wish to take part.
What is volunteer sampling ?
Aka. Self-selecting. asking people to volunteer, usually through adverts placed in the media, or through posters.
Describe stratified sampling ?
It’s where you pick a group of people to reflect your target population. You would split your sampling frame into different categories(strata) then the proportions needed for the sample to be representative. Then you randomly select the people needed
What are the advantage of random sampling?
- free from researcher bias as the researcher has no influence over who is selected.
What are the disadvantages of random sampling ?
- it is difficult and time - consuming to conduct.
- May still end up with a unrepresentative sample.
- selected participants may refuse to take part meaning that you would end up with more like a volunteer sample.
What are the advantages of systematic sampling ?
- avoids researcher bias
- fairly representative
What are the disadvantages of systematic sampling ?
- is still not 100% representative.
What are the advantages of stratified sampling ?
- avoid researcher bias
- representative sample so generalisations of findings is possible
What are the disadvantages of stratified sampling ?
- the identified strata cannot reflect all the ways people are different, so complete representative of the target population is not possible
What are the advantages of opportunity sampling ?
- convenient and saves the researcher time
What are the disadvantages of opportunity sampling ?
- unrepresentative sample as it is drawn from a very specific area.
- researcher has control over the selection of participant. (Researcher bias)
What are the advantages of volunteer sampling ?
- collecting a sample is easy. Requires minimal input from the researcher so is less time consuming.
- students happy and willing to take part therefore mor l
What are the disadvantages of volunteer sampling ?
- volunteer bias is a problem. May attract a certain ‘profile’ of person.
what are strengths of a laboratory experiment?
- High control over extraneous variables so effect on the DV is a result of the IV.
- replication is more possible|
what are limitations of laboratory experiments?
- lack generalisability as it is a artificial environment. therefore low external validity
- low mundane realism
strengths of a field experiment ?
- higher mundane realism as its in a natural environment
- high external validity as behaviours are authentic
limitations of a field experiment
- lack of control over variables so cause and effect are more difficult to establish. Also replication is not possible.
strengths of a natural experiment
- high external validity as they involve the study of real life issues and problems
strengths of a natural experiment
- high external validity as they involve the study of real life issues and problems
limitations of natural experiments
- There is no control over extraneous variables that might bias the results.
Strengths of a quasi experiment
- often carried out in a controlled environment so the effects of the DV is a result of the IV.
Limitations of a Quasi experiment
- randomisation is not used so there may be confounding variables
Controlled observation
Watching and recording behaviour within structured environment
Covert observation
-participants are not aware there behaviours and being watched
Overt observation
Participants are aware they are being observed and give they give consent
Participant observation
The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching
Non- participant observation
- the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching.
Strengths of a naturalistic observation
- high external validity as findings can be generalised to everyday life
Limitations of naturalistic observations
- replication is difficult
- many uncontrolled extraneous variables that make it difficult to judge any pattern of behaviour
Limitations of a controlled observation
- findings may not be able to apply to real-life settings.
Strengths of controlled observations
- extraneous variables may be less of a factor so replication be one easier
Strengths of a covert observation
- behaviours observed will be natural. Increasing validity.
Limitations of a covert observation
- ethical issues such as confidentiality
Strengths of a obvert observation
- more ethically acceptable
Limitations of obvert observations
- participants reactivity may not be natural
Strengths of a participant observation
- researchers have an increased insight into the lives of people being studied as the researcher experiences the situation increasing the validity.
Limitations of participants observation
- researchers may lose objectivity as the come to identify strongly with the people they are observing
Strengths of a non- participant observation
- allows the researcher to maintain a objective psychological distance from their participant so the less danger of them going ‘naive’
Limitations of a non-participant observation
Valuable insight may be lost as there too far away from the people and behaviour there studying
Strengths of questionnaires
- they are cost-effective. Can gather large amounts of data quickly.
- the data produced is usually straightforward to analyse
Limitations of questioniares
-social desirability bias as participants want to make themselves look good so may not be truthful
- response bias such as acquiescence bias where the participant respond in a similar pattern as they completed the questionaire too quickly