Research Methods Flashcards
What is reliability?
Reliability is the extent to which a test produces consistent scores over time.
What is Validity?
Validity is the extent to which a test measures what it intends to measure.
Stratified Sampling
Population of interest: Primary School Pupils
3 Purposefully selected strata
An attempt to be representative
Low, middle, high income area
Randomly sample students from those three schools.
Cluster Sampling
Population of interest: Primary School Pupils
3 randomly selected clusters
Sample all students from those three clusters.
Internal validity
the extent to which effect on the dependent variable are caused by the manipulation of the independent variable.
External validity
Definition of Case Study
Its an in-depth investigation of a single individual group, event or community. It provides detailed insights into specific instances or phenomena.
Strength/ Limitation of Case Study
+ Provides detailed insights. Can study rare phenomena.
- Limited generalisability. Susceptible to researcher bias.
Definition of Observation Studies
Involves researchers observing and recording participants behaviour without intervening or manipulating variables. The focus us in on the understanding and describing behaviours in their natural settings.
Strengths/Limitations of Observational Studies.
+ Captures natural behaviour.
No manipulation required.
- no causal conclusions. potential observer bias.
Define Surveys and Questionnaires
Standardized tools used to gather information from participants about specific topics, such as their beliefs, attitudes, or characteristics.
Strengths/ Limitations of Surveys and Questionnaires
+ Collects data from large samples
Standardized responses
_ May have response biases
Limited depth of information
Define Experimental Methods
May have response biases
Limited depth of information
Strengths/Limitations
+ Can establish causality
Controls for extraneous variables
- Can be artificial (low ecological validity)
Risk of confounding variables
Define Correlational Studies
Examine the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating any of them. They seek to understand how variables are related or associated.
Strengths/Limitations
+ Identifies associations
Can use large datasets
- Cannot establish causation
Potential third-variable problems
Define Repeated Measure Study
The same participants undergo multiple conditions or treatments, and their reactions or outcomes are observed in each.
Strengths/ Limitations of Repeated Measures.
+Reduces inter-participant variability
Economical (fewer participants needed)
-Order effects
Carryover effects
Define Longitudinal Study.
Track the same group of participants over a period, monitoring any changes or developments in specific variables or behaviours.
Strengths/Limitations of Longitudinal Studies.
+Tracks changes over time
Can establish temporal order
- Time-consuming & expensive
Risk of participant dropout
Define Cross-sectional Studies
Analyse data from participants at a single point in time, capturing a snapshot of a population regarding certain variables or behaviours.
Strengths/Limitations of Cross-Sectional Studies.
+ Quick snapshot of a population
Economical compared to longitudinal
- Cannot track changes over time
Cohort effects
Define Quasi-Experiments
Compare groups based on pre-existing conditions or characteristics, where the variable of interest isn’t manipulated by the researcher.
Strengths/Limitations of Quasi-experiments.
+ Studies natural groups
Often more feasible than true experiments
- Cannot randomly assign groups
Risk of confounding variables.
