Research Methods Flashcards
What is an experiment?
experiments look for a causal relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated to cause a change in the dependant variable
What are Lab experiments?
the experiment is conducted in an unnatural and controlled environment. the Iv is manipulated
What are the strengths of Lab experiments?
extraneous variables controlled
casual relationships can be determined
standardised procedures so increases reliability and replicability
What are the weaknesses of Lab experiments?
lack of ecological validity
participants could show demand characteristics and social desirability bias
What are field experiments?
the experiment takes place in natural settings but the IV is manipulated
What are the strengths of Field experiments?
high ecological validity as they are showing natural behaviour
less likely to show demand characteristics and social desirability bias
What are the weaknesses of field experiments?
low controls over extraneous variables (reduces reliability and replicability)
can be sure that the Dv is due to the IV or other factors
participants are unaware of their participation (ethical issues)
What are natural experiments?
the experiment takes place in natural settings and the IV is not directly manipulated by the researcher. it happens naturally by chance
What are the strengths of natural experiments?
high ecological validity
least likely to show demand characteristics and social desirability bias
researchers can study variables that would usually be unethical or unpractical to study
What are the weaknesses of natural experiments?
only possible when the IV naturally exists
controlling extraneous variables are difficult
causal relationships are difficult to be determined
hard to replicate as levels of standardisation is difficult to achieve, low reliability too
what is an experimental design?
how participants are allocated to the conditions of the study
what is an independent measures design?
different groups of participants are used for each level of the IV
what is a repeated measures design?
each participant takes part in every condition of the study
what is a matched pairs design?
participants are matched in pairs according to a characteristic they have that is similar
what are the strengths and weaknesses of the independent measures design?
strengths
no order effects incurred
recedes the chance of demand characteristics and social desirability
random allocation of participants
weaknesses
individual differences can distort results
more participants are required
what are the strengths and weaknesses of the repeated measures design?
strengths
participant variable so does not affect the results
counterbalancing reduces order effects
fewer participants are used
weaknesses
order effects are incurred
they may show demand characteristics and social desirability bias
what are the strengths and weaknesses of the matched pairs design?
strengths
reduces the chance of demand characteristics and social desirability bias
participant variables are less likely to affect the results
no order effects
weaknesses
sample bias in the matching process leads to distorted results
what are two types of self reports?
questionnaires and interviews
what are questionnaires?
research method using written questions
there are two types of questions
close ended (quantitative data)
open ended (qualitative data)
what are interviews
research method using verbal questions asked directly
structured (fixed questions)
unstructured (questions depend on the answer of the respondent)
semi-structured (fixed and unwritten questions)
Interpretations of self-reports by the researcher must be objective
what are case studies?
case studies are detailed investigations about a single person, or a small group. the maximum amount of qualitative and quantitative data is gathered
what are the strengths and weaknesses of case studies?
strengths
the data collected is highly valid
the researcher builds rapport with the subject, making it likely for them to open up and provide true information
the subject is less likely to show demand characteristics as case studies are longitudinal studies
weaknesses
the researchers findings may be biased due to the close relation with subject
the data is low in reliability and replicability
the data is only internally valid
what are the 4 types of observations?
naturalistic: participants behaviour is observed in their natural environment without it having any manipulations from the researcher
controlled: participants behaviour is observed in a setting that has been manipulated by the researcher
unstructured: researcher records all of the behaviours being exhibited by the subject
structured: researcher records only the particular behaviour being studied
what are correlations?
a statistical relationship that suggest the probability of a true relationship between the IV and the DV. to make sure whether a correlational relationship os casual. the two variables must be investigated in a laboratory environment where extraneous variables are controlled
what is a hypothesis?
a testable statement proving the outcomes of a study
non-directional: predicts that there will be a relationship between the variables, but does not specify the direction of the relationship
directional: predicts that there will be a specific relationship between the variables
null: any relationship that is found between the variables are purely due to chance
what is opportunity sampling?
participants are chosen because they are available
strength
quicker and easier than other methods
weakness
likely to be non-representative, as people from the same area may be a biased sample
what is opportunity sampling?
participants are invited to participate. those who reply will be part of the sample
strength
participants are more likely to stay committed and would be willing to return for repeated testing
weakness
sample may be unrepresentative because people who respond may be similar (they may have free time
what is random sampling?
all participants are chosen randomly. could be with a draw or random number generator
strength
sample is likely to be representative of the target population as all type of people have an equal chance of being chosen
weakness
everyone may be equally chosen, for example there may be more girls than boys
what is quantitative data?
data in numerical format
strength
objective measure, very reliable, data can be analysed using statistical methods and data is easy to compare
weakness
limits response of participants, so data may not be very valid
what is qualitative data?
data written in a non-numerical format that often expresses a quality or opinion
strenth
highly valid, unrequested, but important data is incurred
weakness
data interpretation may be subjective. not representative, generalisable, or reliable
what are the ethical relationships for humans?
informed consent: aim should be told to the participants before the study so they can decide if they want to participate or not
right to withdraw: they should be informed that they can withdraw at any point
deception: participants should not be deceived during the study however if its necessary to do so to protect the findings of the study, then participants need to be debriefed
confidentiality: participants identity and personal data should be concealed from the general public
privacy: private questions should be avoided. participants should be made aware of their right to ignore the questions they incur during this study
