Research Methods Flashcards
What is a questionnaire
Respondents record their own anwsers to questions that are structured. Comes in written form and its not face-to-face
What is an advantage of using questionnaires
They can be easily repeated so that data can be colelcted from large numbers of people quickly.
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
Questionnaire: what is a closed question
Has a fixed number of possible anwsers
- provides quantitative data
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.
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
Questionnaire: what is an open question
allows respondents to provide their own anwsers.
- produces qualitative data
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.
Questionnaire: disadvantage of closed questions
More dificult to draw conclusions because there are likely to be a wide range of anwsers.
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)
Questionnaire: ranked scales advantage
produces quantitative data which is easier to analyse making it easier to draw conclusions.
Questionnaire: ranked scales disadvantage
Participants may respond in patterns, like only selecting high numbers or only selecting the middle numbers.
What are the 4 different types of sampling
Random
Stratified
Volunteer
Opportunity
What is a random sample
sample of participants produced using a technique where each person has equal chance of being selected
Example of random techniques
giving everyone in a population a number and using a random number generator to selected a sample.
Random sample: Advantage
Gives an unbaised sample as all members of a population have an equal chance of being selected
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
what is stratified sample
participants selected from different subgroups in the target population based of the proportion of the subgroups frequency in that population.
example of stratified sample
If the target population contains 10% 18-20 year olds, then the sample should contain 10% 18-20 year olds.
Stratified sample: advantage
most representative sampling technique as..
- all subgroups are represented in the same proportion as the target population
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
- Respect
- Competence
- Responsibility
- 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
