Research Methods Flashcards
What is Quantitive research?
Data that can be counted and is usually given as numbers.
What is Qualitative research?
Data expressed in words and is non-numerical (can be converted for analysis)
What are the pros of Quantitative research
Easy to analyse, neat conclusions
What are the cons of Quantitative research
Oversimplifies human experience
What are the pros of Qualitative research?
represents true human complexity and behaviour through rich detail of thoughts and feelings
What are the cons of Qualitative research
Difficult to analyse, can create many interpretations of the same experiment (results are debatable)
What are the strengths of Lab experiments
High control of CVs and EVs,
easy to replicate,
high reliability,
standardised instructions and equipment,
cause and effect is easy to determine
What are the weaknesses of Lab experiments
Generalisability
Lack of realism
Low ecological validity
Artificial environment
What are the strengths of a field experiment
High mundane realism
High external validity
Authentic
What are the weaknesses of a field experiment
Loss of control for CVs and EVs
Cause and effect are difficult to establish
Privacy and consent issues
What are the strengths of a natural experiment
High external validity
Opportunities for research
What are the weaknesses of a natural experiment
Rare opportunities
Lack realism
Demand Characteristics
Cannot randomly allocate participants
IV cannot be constantly observed and so cannot be claimed as changed
What are the strengths of a Quasi experiment
Controlled environment
Easy replication
What are the weaknesses of a Quasi experiment
Cannot randomly allocate participants
IV cannot be claimed as changed
Define laboratory experiment
An experiment which is conducted in highly controlled environments
Define a field experiment
An experiment where the IV is manipulated in a natural environment
Define a natural expeiment
An experiment which is like a lab or field experiment (because the researcher measures the effect of an IV on a DV) However the researcher has no control over the IV. The IV is natural.
Define a quasi experiment
An experiment where there is an IV that is based on an existing difference between people e.g. age, height, weight, sexuality
Define IV
Independent Variable, the thing that is being changed
Define DV
Dependent Variable, the thing that is being measured.
Define CV
Confounding Variable. The thing that affect other variables in a way that produces fake or distorted associations between two variables.
Define EV
Extraneous variables. Anything that is not being investigated that has the potential to affect the outcome of a research study.
What are the two different types of hypothesis
Directional and non-directional aka. one tailed and two tailed
How do you begin a directional hypothesis
There will be (increase or decrease)…
How do you begin a non-directional hypothesis
There will be a difference…
What is the difference between directional and non-directional hypothesis
Directional hypothesis will have prior research whereas a non-directional hypothesis won’t.
Define hypothesis
testable statement for a relationship between two or more variables. Precise. Predicts the significant difference in the DV from the IV
What are the three experimental designs
Independent, Repeated and Matched Pairs
Define Independent design
Using different ppts in each experimental condition- ppts are only used once
Define Repeated measures design
Participants take part in both experimental comditions
Define matched pairs design
Use different participants in each experimental condition but participants have been matched with another participant based on key variables that might affect performance e.g. alcohol tolerance, gender, IQ
What are the advantages and disadvantages of independent group design
Advantages: no order effects, fewer demand characteristics, time saved
Disadvantages: more participants needed, individual differences of participants in different condition.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of repeated measures design
Advantages: less effect of individual differences, more data for fewer participants
Disadvantages: order effects, demand characteristics, stimulus materials
What are the advantages and disadvantages of matched pairs design
Advantages: participant variables kept more constant due to matching, no order effects as ppts only take part in one condition, fewer demand characteristics
Disadvantages: more participants, matching is difficult, time consuming
