Research methods Flashcards
Laboratory experiment
Adv
DisAdv
Conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity.
+Easily control the variables + Easy to replicable +Decipher what the cause and effects were more easily
-Lacks ecological validity -If people are tested, they may be subjected to demand characteristics, lack mundane realism
Field experiments
Adv
DisAdv
Conducted in a real life setting, which reduces the amount of control over extraneous variables, however the ecological validity is improved.
+Higher mundane realism(Experiment situation resembles a real-life situation) +Produce behaviour more valid and authentic +High external validity
-Hard to control extraneous variables -Precise replication is usually impossible due to uncontrolled IV and DV -Ethical issue: Ppts cannot consent –> invasion of privacy
Natural experiments
Adv
DisAdv
An IV that already exists is tested in its natural environment, greatly reducing the control of extraneous variables. This
The type of experiment allows for investigation of variables that cannot ethically be created.
+High external validity
-Hard to replicate
Quasi-experiments
Adv
DisAdv
The study of the effects of a natural event where the IV is naturally manipulated.
E.g. IV could be age or gender
+High ecological validity +Few demand characteristics
-Harder to control variables -Hard to replicate -Many possibles of confounding variables
BPS code of conduct
British psychological Society (BPS) - consists of ethical guidelines. Instructs psychologists in the UK about what behaviour is acceptable/unacceptable
Consent, Deception, Confidentiality, Debrief, Withdrawal, Protection
Ethical issue?
Issues which arise when a conflict exists between the rights of participants in research studies and the goals of the research to produce authentic valid data.
4 types of ethical issues: +Informed consent +Deception +Protection from harm +Privacy and confidentiality
Informed consent
-Ppts aware of the aim, procedures and their rights and what their data will be used for.
-Dealing with informed consent: +Ppts should be given a consent letter +Must be signed +Under 16, parental consent is required
Deception
-Misleading or withholding information from the ppts.
-Dealing with deception: +Debrief at the end +Made aware of the true aims of the investigation
Protection from harm
Ppts should not be placed at any more risk than their daily lives. Protected from physical and psychological harm. Should be reminded they have rights
-Dealing with protection(Debrief) : +Give full debrief at the end +Right to withdraw +Reassure ppts +May require sources of counselling
Privacy and confidentiality
-Ppts have rights to control information about themselves. In law under the Data Protection Act
-Dealing with confidentiality anonymity: +All personal details must be protected-maintain anonymity +Refers ppts using numbers or initials +Standard practice during debrief-ppts are reminded that their data will be protected
Naturalistic observation
Adv
DisAdv
Participants are observed in their natural
environment
+High ecological validity
-Hard to control extraneous variables
Controlled observation
Adv
DisAdv
Participants are observed in a lab setting
+Easy to control other variables +Reliability increases
-Lack ecological validity
Covert observation
Adv
DisAdv
The observer is hidden and therefore participants do not know they are being observed.
+Reduce demanded characteristics
-Ethical issues: Consent
Overt observation
Adv
DisAdv
The participants know they are under observation.
+Consent from ppts
-Demanded characteristics
Non-participants observation
Adv
DisAdv
The observer does not join the group under observation.
+Higher objectivity
-reduces the insight that could be
achieved with a participant observation.
