Research Methods Flashcards
What are independent, dependant and control variables?
IV = change DV = measure CV = keep same
What are extraneous variables?
factors that affect IV and DV, situational conditions and participants variables
Situational variables
Environment = light, noise, temperature, distractions
Participant variables
associated with abilities, attributes and tendencies
e.g. - personality type, physical ability, substance tolerance, memory ability, life experiences, mood, upbringing
Controlling extraneous variables
silence to prevent noise
Controlling situational variables
repeat study same for everyone
randomisation
counterbalancing = equal amount of participants doing first and second condition of study
single and double blind
Controlling participant variables
same participants in both conditions of study
use different participants but match important characteristics
random allocation = not bias, prevent certain type of person in one condition of study
Null hypothesis
the result of outcome will have no effect or very little effect
Alternative experimental hypotheses
prediction of the expected outcome of the study
directional = expected direction results will go can be predicted
non directional = a difference or relationship will be found, but does not state what the difference or relationship will be
experimental hypothesis = laboratory or field
Random Sampling
\+equal chance of being selected \+helps control participant variable \+unbias -participants still have to agree to take part -less representative
Stratified sampling
technique which ensures subgroups of the target population are proportionately represented in a sample
+useful to include certain type of people
+representative
-time-consuming
-sample error (can refuse to take part)
Volunteer sampling
\+minimal error \+ethical \+can be done online \+easy to get large number / certain type \+avoids peer pressure -not representative -can be biased -unreliable = only some personality types want to participate in study -not everyone will see advert
Opportunity sampling
recruits participants who are readily available at the time (e.g. asking people on the street to partake) \+quick \+easy/simple -biasty -findings may differ at different times
three types of research and experimental designs
independent measures of design
repeated measures of design
matched pairs design
Independent measures of design
participants are split into groups, each tested in 1 condition \+no order effects \+only take part in 1 condition of study -more participants needed -individual differences between groups control by randomly allocating
Repeated measures of design
same participants used in all conditions of study
+fewer participants = more economical
+no individual differences
-participants are more able to guess aim
-results may reflect practice of fatigue
control by counterbalancing or randomisation
Matched pairs design
different participants used in each condition of study, matched for likeness on important characteristics
+fair comparisons
+equally matched
-time-consuming
-all characteristics can be equally matched
What is reliability
consistency of an outcome or result
trust in the findings
Reliability in sampling methods
biased
findings can differ if study is replicated
Reliability in experimental designs
participants differ between conditions
variability between groups
unreiable
What is validity
extent to which a study measures what intends to measure
Validity in sampling methods
sample errors occur then the findings o research are untrue of target population
Validity in experimental design
way in which participants are allocated to the conditions of the study
affect validity
repeated measures design is used and order effects are shown
outcome may be result of practice or fatigue and not the intended variable being investigated
Reliability and validity in Qualitative methods
which ideas and theories emerge
case studies, unstructured interviews and participant observation
behaviour from the perspective of participants
not easy to replicate
not produce reliable findings
limits the generalisability of the findings
researcher can become very involved in investigation and close to their participants
researcher bias
triangulation to ensure they do not lose their professional objectivity
Reliability and validity of quantitative methods
scientific route of enquiry
hypothesis to test a theory
questionnaires and observations
facts and measure behaviour applied to target population = generalisable
objective and less open to researcher bias
Ethical issues in psychological research
respect age, ability, gender, sexuality, religion and culture
have right to withdraw
scientific integrity = conduct well-designed research and not claim misleading findings
social responsibility = produce beneficial findings
maximising benefit and harm = not places in unordinary situation, safeguard participants and minimise risk
Factors that must be included in experiments for ethics
1) Informed consent
2) Deception
3) Confidentiality
4) Right to withdraw
5) Protection of participants
Different types of experiments
Laboratory experiment = controlled environment
= studying types of behaviour and ability -> memory or reaction
Field experiment = natural environment, examines naturally occurring variable in real-life situation -> conformity and obedience
=control over extraneous variables
Natural experiment = real-life environment, do not manipulate IV as it occurs naturally
Strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments
+ high levels of control
+ validity
- unnatural environment
- invited to experiment so they may display demand characteristics
- reductionist = ignored other variables that could be involved
Strengths and weaknesses of field experiment
+ conduct in naturalistic environment = behaviour is natural
+ cause and effect between IV and DV = extraneous variables controlled
- extraneous variables controlled in real-life environment
- participants may be unaware of taking part so researchers may not have gained informed consent
Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment
+IV naturally occurs
+environment is real and naturalistic
-not possibly to randomly allocate participants to conditions
-extraneous variables difficult to control
Different types of interviews
structured = pre-set questions
= respondents asked same questions in the same way and order
= number of interviewers are required to get information from lots of respondents
semi-structured = pre-set questions, open-ended, thoughts and beliefs
unstructured = no pre-set questions or schedule to folllow
=conversation can go anywhere
=open ended
=in depth information
Strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews
\+ lots of in depth information \+ quick \+ easy to replicate \+ researchers need little training - only access superficial information - do not allow respondents to answer freely
Strengths and weaknesses of semi-structured interviews
+ freedom to answer in their own way
- time-consuming
Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews
\+ gather in-depth information \+ free to explore beliefs and attitudes - time consuming -need well-trained interviewers -impossible to replicate
Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires
\+ inexpensive \+ large sample \+ ethical \+ not affected by interviewer - response rate is slow - people may not have time - inclination to complete and return questionnaire
Strengths and weaknesses of closed and open ended questionnaires
Closed-ended:
+ quantitative data
+ easy to analyse
- right option may not be available
Open-ended:
- more difficult to analyse because they produce qualitative data
+offer more freedom
Strengths and weaknesses if correlations
+ cheaper
+ less time-consuming
+ useful when studying an unethical topic
+ compare co-variables rather than manipulate behaviour
+ less interventionist
+ more ethical
-cause and effect cannot be established
