research methods Flashcards
extraneous variables
variables that could affect the dv. essentially nuisance variables. do not vary systematically with the iv
confounding variables
any variable that affect the dv. change systematically with the iv.
renders results useless.
pros and cons of independent groups design
PROS:
- order effects not a problem
CONS:
- individ dif between confounding variables - try to control with random allocation
- less economical
pros and cons of repeated measures
PROS:
- ind dif not a problem
- fewer people needed than igd
CONS:
- order effects
- demand characteristics
- practice effects
pros and cons of matched pairs
PROS:
- order effects not a problem
CONS
- time consuming to match pps
- less economical than rmd
- cant control every variable
lab experiment
WHAT: IV is manipulated to see effects of DV. conducted in highly controlled environment.
PROS:
- high control over variables
- high internal validity
- replication is possible
CONS:
- lacks generalisability (low external validity)
- demand characteristics
- lack mundane realism
EXAMPLES: loftus & palmer, asch, little albert, ainsworth & bell
field experiment
WHAT: IV is manipulated but in more natural setting
PROS:
- higher mundane realism
- higher external validity
CONS:
- higher chance of extraneous variables
- replication not possible
- ethical issues
EXAMPLES: hoflings hospital, pavillion, rosenthal & jacobson
natural experiment
WHAT: IV is not manipulated by researcher. researcher takes advantage of pre-existing IV
PROS:
- provide opportunities for studies that would otherwise not be possible, mainly due to ethical reasons
- high external validity
CONS:
- naturally occuring events rarely happen
- rare events mean its difficult to generalise findings
- pps cannot be randomly allocated so cannot be fully sure if IV was affecting DV
EXAMPLES: charlton et al, hodges & tizard
quasi experiments
WHAT: IV is based on existing difference between people
PROS:
- high control over variables
- high internal validity
- replication is possible
- can conclude cause and effect
CONS:
- same as natural
what is a pilot study
small scale practice run of a study to test procedure
four major ethical issues
- informed consent
- deception
- privacy and confidentiality
- protection from harm
pros and cons of correlations
PROS:
- useful starting point
- quick and economical as no manipulation of variables is requires
- can be used when it would be unethical or impractical to manipulatr variables
can be repeated over large samples
CONS:
- cannot establish cause and effect
- cannot establish direction of causality
- may be unknown third variable afecting results
distribution curves
NORMAL: mean median and mode are exact same midpoint, symmetrical
LEFT SKEWED: mean>median>mode
RIGHT SKEWED: mode>median>mean
peer review major functions
- allocate research funding
- validate quality and relevance of research
- suggest amendments and improvements
what is a case study
an in depth investigation of a single person, group, event or community.
case study eval
PROS
- rich detailed info
- contribute to understanding of normal behaviour
CONS
- cannot generalise
- issue with bias and retrospect
stages if content analysis (qualitative data)
CODING - creating behavioural categories
THEMATIC ANALYSIS - identify themes
