Research Methods Flashcards by Lourenco Goncalves

What is a questionnaire

Respondents record their own anwsers to questions that are structured. Comes in written form and its not face-to-face

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What is an advantage of using questionnaires

They can be easily repeated so that data can be colelcted from large numbers of people quickly.

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What is a disadvantage of questionnaires

people may not always tell the truth, this might be because it’ll make them look unlikeable, so they lie to seem more likeable

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Questionnaire: what is a closed question

Has a fixed number of possible anwsers
- provides quantitative data

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Questionnaire: what is an advantage of closed questions

Easy to analyse because data is in numbers, can be summarised using avarages or graphs, making it easier to draw a conclusion.

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Questionnaire: what is a disadvantage of using closed questions

participants may not be able to express how to truely feel due to low choice of anwsers. Therefore data is low in validity

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Questionnaire: what is an open question

allows respondents to provide their own anwsers.
- produces qualitative data

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Questionnaire: advantage of open question

Participants are able to express what they actually think rather than being restricted by multiple choice anwsers.

Increases validity of results.

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Questionnaire: disadvantage of closed questions

More dificult to draw conclusions because there are likely to be a wide range of anwsers.

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Questionnaire: What are ranked scales

type of closed question where respondents are asked to assess their views based off scales (1-5 or 1-10)

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Questionnaire: ranked scales advantage

produces quantitative data which is easier to analyse making it easier to draw conclusions.

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Questionnaire: ranked scales disadvantage

Participants may respond in patterns, like only selecting high numbers or only selecting the middle numbers.

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What are the 4 different types of sampling

Random
Stratified
Volunteer
Opportunity

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What is a random sample

sample of participants produced using a technique where each person has equal chance of being selected

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Example of random techniques

giving everyone in a population a number and using a random number generator to selected a sample.

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Random sample: Advantage

Gives an unbaised sample as all members of a population have an equal chance of being selected

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Random sample: Disadvantage

often not random as some selected participants may not wish to participate, leaving the final sample to be more of a volunteer rather than random

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what is stratified sample

participants selected from different subgroups in the target population based of the proportion of the subgroups frequency in that population.

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example of stratified sample

If the target population contains 10% 18-20 year olds, then the sample should contain 10% 18-20 year olds.

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Stratified sample: advantage

most representative sampling technique as..

all subgroups are represented in the same proportion as the target population

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Stratied sample: disadvantage

this technique is subject to biase as as it leaves the researcher to pick out what subgroups they want.

What is volunteer sample

asking participants to participate in the research

Example of volunteer sample

advertising it on the newspapers

volunteer sample: advantage

good way to find committed participants who are willing to see out time consuming studies, less likely to drop-out

volunteer sample: disadvantage

volunteers may exhibit demand characteristics by guessing the aim of the experiment, trying to be helpful

What is opportunity sample

asking people who are the most easily available at the time of the study

example of opportunity sampling

asking people who are walking past you if they are willing to participate in an experiment

Opportunity sampling: advantages

the most convinient way in gathering participants, you can use the people you find. Means that it takes less time to locate your sample.

Opportunity sampling: disadvantages

Some participants amy refuse, leading to the same weaknesses as volunteer samples like participnats having demand characteristics.

What is quantitative data

infromation in numbers

quantitative data: positive

easier to analyse and draw conclusions from, for example you can see what age group done better on a test or what film had a higher rating

quantitative data: negative

Collects data low in validity because it may not express participants' feelings because the anwsers provided are fixed

what is qualitative data

infromation in words or pictures

Qualitative data: positives

holistic approach as it represents the true complexities of human behaviour, unlike numeric data.

Qualitative data: negatives

this form of data has low credibility because of the fact interpreting data from this is likely to be subjective

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What are the 4 core principles of the BOS code of ethics

1. Respect 2. Competence 3. Responsibility 4. Integrity

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What is respect

recognises the inherent worth of all human beings regardless of difference in social status, race, sex etc

BPS code of ethics and conduct: When applying this value (respect), what are some of the things should members consider

Privacy and confidentiality Consent Communities and shared values within them

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What is competence

The ability to provide specific services to a professional. Members should not provide professional services outside their areas of knowledge

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What sort of things must members consider when applying this value (competence)

caution in making knowledge claims limits of knowledge and potential need to refer another professional

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What is responsibility

memebers must accept responsibility for what is within their power. awareness of responsibility ensures the trust of others is not abused

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What might psychologists consider when applying this value (responsibility)?

Professional accountability Responsible use of their knowledge and skills

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What is integrity

means being honest, accurate and consistent with one's actions, words, decisions and methods.

BPS code of ethics and conduct: What might psychologists consider when applying this value (integrity)

Fairness Addressing misconduct Maintaining personal and professional boundaries

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): What are 2 ways in dealing with ethical issues

Risk assessment and management and consent and debriefing

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): What is risk assessment and management

Identifying potential physical or psychological harm to participants during a research study

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): What does risk management involve

weighing up the long term benefits of the study with short term risks of participants

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): How is consent gathered

Dealth with my seeking freely given consent by participants who have been informed sufficiently to be able to make a decision

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): How can consent be gathered from studies that don't reveal the true aims

Give a brief about what participantion will entail and debrief them at the end about the true nature of the study

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): What right must be given to participants (consent and debriefing)

The right to withdraw from the study

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): What comitee oversees the risk assessment

Research ethics committee, they aprove a study before it begins

BPS code of ethics and conduct (dealing with ethical issues): Who is part of the Researcher ethics committee

Professionals and lay people