Research methods

Question 1

What is primary data?

Answer 1

It is information that researchers have gathered themselves directly from a group of participants

Question 2

What is a clinical example of primary data?

Answer 2

Rosenhan as they sent participants to mental hospitals to test the reliability of the DSM and they observed.

Question 3

What are the strengths of primary data?

Answer 3

• You are reliant
• Appropriate to the study
• Operationalised
• More credible as the data is gathered for a particular purpose

Question 4

What are the weaknesses of primary data?

Answer 4

• Time-consuming
• Expensive
• Limited by time, location, number and type of participants

Question 5

What is secondary data?

Answer 5

Relies on evidence that has been gathered by other researchers by accessing peer-reviewed articles or public statistics.

Question 6

What is an example of secondary data in clinical?

Answer 6

Carlsson did a meta-review on multiple pieces of research to find the relationship between dopamine and neurotransmitters.

Question 7

What are the strengths of using secondary data?

Answer 7

• Quick
• Easy
• Can check for reliability and validity
• Offers potential for large quantities of data

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of using secondary data?

Answer 8

• Having to rely on others that the experiment and the findings are reliable
• That may not be appropriate to the study
• The study could have been subjective to interpretations

Question 9

What is longitudinal data?

Answer 9

Takes place over a long period of time and often involves comparing a single sample group with their own performance over time which means development or time is measured.

Question 10

What is an example of longitudinal data in clinical?

Answer 10

Twin studies- as it is looking at how twins behave over periods of time and comparing if they are similar or stay the same.

Question 11

What are the strengths of longitudinal data?

Answer 11

• No difficulty in making comparisons between people that could be affected by individual differences
• Only reliable way to measure the effect of behaviour with time.
• Important for considering long term effects of a treatment

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of longitudinal data?

Answer 12

• Sample- attrition- people drop out or die so the sample is smaller and is not reliable
• Cohort effects- they will all share the same experience so not generalisable
• New treatment may be developed and therefore becomes outdated.

Question 13

What is cross-sectional data?

Answer 13

Researchers take a quick ‘snapshot’ of behaviour in a given population. They take a large sample to get a good cross-section of the target population.

Question 14

What is an example of cross-sectional data in clinical?

Answer 14

Becker- Fiji
The TV and the effects on body image from role models on TV. Used 2 different groups in different years.

Question 15

What are the strengths of cross-sectional data?

Answer 15

• Quicker than longitudinal so can apply results sooner
• Results are more valid as reported at the time when they have the most application rather than years later.

Question 16

What are the weaknesses of cross-sectional data?

Answer 16

• Cohort effects- comparing different groups of people, individual differences may have an effect.
• The results could be an effect of being raised in a particular time/place- cultural ideas

Question 17

What is cross-cultural data?

Answer 17

Taking samples from different cultures groups to draw comparisons bout similarities and differences to consider hoe culture impacts a particular behaviour.

Question 18

What is an example of cross-cultural data?

Answer 18

Luhrmann et al. (2015) interviewed 60 Americans, Indians, and Ghanaian people with schizophrenia. 70% of Americans said their voices told to hurt people, while 50% of Ghanaian people said their voices were positive.

Question 19

What are the positives of cross-cultural data?

Answer 19

• how culture plays a role in how behaviour- reliability and validity of the diagnosis.
• Identify elements of abnormal behaviour
• Reduce ethnocentrism- improve generalisability

Question 20

What are the negatives of cross-cultural data?

Answer 20

• likely to be a conflict between the cultural values of some or all the participants and those of the researcher
• lack validity in interpretation
• clinicians must fully understand culture
• there are different cultures within a country

Question 21

What is a meta-analysis data?

Answer 21

Looking at secondary data from multiple studies conducted by other researchers and drawing the findings together to make overall conclusions

Question 22

What is an example of meta-analysis data?

Answer 22

Carlsson et al. (2015) looked into neurotransmitters and their role in schizophrenia. He found that more glutamate caused negative schizophrenia symptoms in the cerebral cortex and also looked into treatments

Question 23

What are the positives of meta-analysis data?

Answer 23

• large sample from different areas
• quick
• cost less
• no ethical concern

Question 24

What are the negatives of meta-analysis?

Answer 24

• Not involved in getting the information directly- lacking reliability and validity that you are not aware of
• Research that had a null effect may not be published- biased
• Researchers may choose to include unpublished work to make their findings more valid, so there is an increased risk that it is not peered reviewed.

Question 25

What is grounded-theory data?

Answer 25

Developing a theory from research evidence using codes and categories to see patterns and is more specific over time.

Question 26

What is an example of grounded theory?

Answer 26

Nathaniel’s (2007) data was gathered with ‘codes’ and ‘categories’ with nurse practices until sees patterns. Theoretical concepts begin apparently and become more specific.

Question 27

What are the positives of grounded theory?

Answer 27

-Integrated theory and evidence- good degree of validity
- getting lots of information

Question 28

What are the negatives of grounded theory?

Answer 28

• Biased as it is based on subjective opinion
• Researchers could be ‘fording’ data- miss crucial evidence that could contradict concepts
• lack validity- someone else came to a different conclusion
• long time
• unclear
• interpret viewpoint and decide the codes

Question 29

What does HCPC stand for?

Answer 29

Health and care professions council

Question 30

What is the HCPC?

Answer 30

The regulatory body exists to monitor a variety of professionals/professions including practitioner psychologists. They have to demonstrate them to stay registered with the HCPC.

Question 31

What does character mean in the HCPC?

Answer 31

Provide a credible character reference from people who have known them for at least 3 years suitable for the role. Criminal cautions and convictions are given to professionals and may affect their suitability to practise.

Question 32

What does health mean in the HCPC?

Answer 32

Must provide information every 2 years when they re-register about their general health. Give information if their health issues may impact their ability to practise safely. People must stop work if their health may impair their ability to practise.

Question 33

What do standards of proficiency mean in the HCPC?

Answer 33

Specific expectations for the ability to practise effectively. Autonomy and accountability. Specific requirements within each standard to be demonstrated

Question 34

What do the standards of conduct, performance and ethics mean in the HCPC?

Answer 34

14 guidelines that practitioners must adhere to. Include points such as maintaining confidentiality in work with service users. Only working within the limits of their knowledge.