Research Methods

Question 1

What are independent, dependant and control variables?

Answer 1

IV = change
DV = measure
CV = keep same

Question 2

What are extraneous variables?

Answer 2

factors that affect IV and DV, situational conditions and participants variables

Question 3

Situational variables

Answer 3

Environment = light, noise, temperature, distractions

Question 4

Participant variables

Answer 4

associated with abilities, attributes and tendencies

e.g. - personality type, physical ability, substance tolerance, memory ability, life experiences, mood, upbringing

Question 5

Controlling extraneous variables

Answer 5

silence to prevent noise

Question 6

Controlling situational variables

Answer 6

repeat study same for everyone
randomisation
counterbalancing = equal amount of participants doing first and second condition of study
single and double blind

Question 7

Controlling participant variables

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Null hypothesis

Answer 8

the result of outcome will have no effect or very little effect

Question 9

Alternative experimental hypotheses

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Random Sampling

Answer 10

\+equal chance of being selected
\+helps control participant variable
\+unbias
-participants still have to agree to take part
-less representative

Question 11

Stratified sampling

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

Volunteer sampling

Answer 12

\+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

Question 13

Opportunity sampling

Answer 13

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

Question 14

three types of research and experimental designs

Answer 14

independent measures of design
repeated measures of design
matched pairs design

Question 15

Independent measures of design

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Repeated measures of design

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Matched pairs design

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is reliability

Answer 18

consistency of an outcome or result

trust in the findings

Question 19

Reliability in sampling methods

Answer 19

biased

findings can differ if study is replicated

Question 20

Reliability in experimental designs

Answer 20

participants differ between conditions
variability between groups
unreiable

Question 21

What is validity

Answer 21

extent to which a study measures what intends to measure

Question 22

Validity in sampling methods

Answer 22

sample errors occur then the findings o research are untrue of target population

Question 23

Validity in experimental design

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Reliability and validity in Qualitative methods

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Reliability and validity of quantitative methods

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Ethical issues in psychological research

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Factors that must be included in experiments for ethics

Answer 27

1) Informed consent 2) Deception 3) Confidentiality 4) Right to withdraw 5) Protection of participants

Question 28

Different types of experiments

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments

Answer 29

+ high levels of control + validity - unnatural environment - invited to experiment so they may display demand characteristics - reductionist = ignored other variables that could be involved

Question 30

Strengths and weaknesses of field experiment

Answer 30

+ 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

Question 31

Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment

Answer 31

+IV naturally occurs +environment is real and naturalistic -not possibly to randomly allocate participants to conditions -extraneous variables difficult to control

Question 32

Different types of interviews

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews

Answer 33

``` + lots of in depth information + quick + easy to replicate + researchers need little training - only access superficial information - do not allow respondents to answer freely ```

Question 34

Strengths and weaknesses of semi-structured interviews

Answer 34

+ freedom to answer in their own way | - time-consuming

Question 35

Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews

Answer 35

``` + gather in-depth information + free to explore beliefs and attitudes - time consuming -need well-trained interviewers -impossible to replicate ```

Question 36

Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 36

``` + inexpensive + large sample + ethical + not affected by interviewer - response rate is slow - people may not have time - inclination to complete and return questionnaire ```

Question 37

Strengths and weaknesses of closed and open ended questionnaires

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Strengths and weaknesses if correlations

Answer 38

+ 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