Research Methods

Question 1

What is an experiment?

Answer 1

experiments look for a causal relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated to cause a change in the dependant variable

Question 2

What are Lab experiments?

Answer 2

the experiment is conducted in an unnatural and controlled environment. the Iv is manipulated

Question 3

What are the strengths of Lab experiments?

Answer 3

extraneous variables controlled

casual relationships can be determined

standardised procedures so increases reliability and replicability

Question 4

What are the weaknesses of Lab experiments?

Answer 4

lack of ecological validity

participants could show demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 5

What are field experiments?

Answer 5

the experiment takes place in natural settings but the IV is manipulated

Question 6

What are the strengths of Field experiments?

Answer 6

high ecological validity as they are showing natural behaviour

less likely to show demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of field experiments?

Answer 7

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)

Question 8

What are natural experiments?

Answer 8

the experiment takes place in natural settings and the IV is not directly manipulated by the researcher. it happens naturally by chance

Question 9

What are the strengths of natural experiments?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of natural experiments?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

what is an experimental design?

Answer 11

how participants are allocated to the conditions of the study

Question 12

what is an independent measures design?

Answer 12

different groups of participants are used for each level of the IV

Question 13

what is a repeated measures design?

Answer 13

each participant takes part in every condition of the study

Question 14

what is a matched pairs design?

Answer 14

participants are matched in pairs according to a characteristic they have that is similar

Question 15

what are the strengths and weaknesses of the independent measures design?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what are the strengths and weaknesses of the repeated measures design?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what are the strengths and weaknesses of the matched pairs design?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

what are two types of self reports?

Answer 18

questionnaires and interviews

Question 19

what are questionnaires?

Answer 19

research method using written questions

there are two types of questions

close ended (quantitative data)

open ended (qualitative data)

Question 20

what are interviews

Answer 20

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

Question 21

what are case studies?

Answer 21

case studies are detailed investigations about a single person, or a small group. the maximum amount of qualitative and quantitative data is gathered

Question 22

what are the strengths and weaknesses of case studies?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

what are the 4 types of observations?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

what are correlations?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

what is a hypothesis?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

what is opportunity sampling?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

what is opportunity sampling?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

what is random sampling?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

what is quantitative data?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

what is qualitative data?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

what are the ethical relationships for humans?

Answer 31

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