Research Methods Flashcards
What are the 4 types of experimental methods
Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
Give a brief explanation of the laboratory experimental method
Carried out in extremely controlled environments, where conditions are highly controlled.
What is a pro of the lab experimental method
High control over extraneous and confounding variables. IV and DV are strongly controlled. High internal validity and therefore reliability
What is a con of the lab experimental method
Low ecological validity as everything is extremely controlled. Low generalisability. Demand characteristics.
Give a brief explanation of the field experimental method
IV is naturally manipulated, done in a public setting where there are unwilling volunteers
Give a pro of the field experimental method
High ecological validity as none of the variables are maniupalted to the experimenter’s liking
Give a con of the field experimental method
Low reliabilty, as variables aren’t controlled and extraneous variables are more likely to pop up. Also questionable ethics
Give an explanation of the natural experimental method
The IV changes without the experimenter’s intervention, researcher just records the effects on the DV. No random allocation. Often takes advamntage of real world events, such as romanian orphans
Give a pro of natural experimental method
High validity, allows for more unethical studies to take place as the event has already hapenned
Give a con of natural experimental method
Naturally occuring event may not happen often
Give a brief explentaion of quasi experimetnal method
IV already exists cannot be manipulated - e.g. gender.
Give a pro of quasi experimental method
Take place in lab so can have high validity
Give a con of quasi experimental method
No control over environment and therefore extraneous variables
What are extraneous variables
A variable which is not being measured or manipulated which can affect the study, e.g. temperature of the room when testing concentration may affect it, but also may not be intended to
Click to see a table that summarises experimental methods
Comparison of Experimental Methods
ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY
EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES
REPLICABILITY
LABORATORY
Low
Controlled
High
FIELD
High
Not controlled
Low
NATURAL
High
Not controlled
Low
QUASI
Low/High
Controlled/Not controlled
High/Low
What are the 4 parts of Observational Techniques
Covert (overt)
Participant (Non-participant)
Naturalistic (Controlled)
Structured (Unstructures)
Explain Covert observations
Known as ‘undisclosed’, where the participants are unaware they are being observed. They may be informed they have been studied after the experiment
Give a pro of covert observations
No investigator effects as participant unaware they are being studied. For example, often particpants will attempt to guess the aim of the study, in covert observations they can’t do this.
Give a con of covert observations
Ethical issues as participant hasn’t consented to be studied.
Explain an Overt Observation
‘Open’, participants are aware they are being studied
Give a pro of overt observations
More ethical than the covert method
Give a con of overt observations
Investigator effects are likely to occur, an example is a particpant might give bias towards a side of the experiment they want to be seen as, e.g. seeing if people will give a homeless person some money
Explain participant observations
When the experimenter also takes part in the study. Can be covert or overt.
Give a pro of particpant observation.
Researcher can obtain in-depth data as they are in close proximity the the particpants
Give a con of particpant observation
Presence of the investigator can cause investagator effects, influencing the other participant’s behaviour
Explain non-particpant observation
When the person who is conducting the experiment doesn’t take part in the experiment
Give a pro of non-particpant observation
Investigator effects less likely to occur due to the lack of presence of an investiagot
Give a con of non-participant observation
Because of a lack of proximity to the particpants, the result of the experiment may be less reliable.
Explain naturlistic observations
An observation carried out in an unaltered, unmanipulated setting where the observer does not intefere.
Give a pro of naturlistic observations
High ecological validity as there is little to no control over extraneous variables
Give a con of naturalistic observations
Issues with reliablity, as the little control over variables means extraneous variables can affect the outcome of the experiment
Give an explanation of controlled observations
Take place under strict conditions, in a laboratory setting where extraneous variables can be controlled to prevent interference with the results
Give a pro of controlled observations
High reliabilty as extraneous variables are controlled
Give a con of controlled observatiosn
Low ecological validity as extraneous variables aren’t controlled, which isn’t always accurate to real life
Give an explanations of structured observations
In structured observations, the researcher uses coded ‘schedules’ according to a previously agreed formula to document the behaviour and organise data into behavioural categories. A behavioural category is when psychologists must decide which specific behaviours should be examined, e.g. when particpants look away from test they are taking
Give a pro of structured observations
Easier to compare behaviours between groups
Give a con of structured observations
Investigator may miss behaviours that aren’t part of the behavioural categories chosen
Explain unstructured observation
When the experimenter documents anything they deem to be useful or important, or recording every instance of behaviour
Give a pro of unstructured observation
As data is recorded in great detail, the results are often reliable and contain a lot of useful information
Give a con of unstructured observation
Prone to observer bias due to the lack of categories.
What are the two main types of self-report techniques
Questionnares, Interviews