Research Methods Flashcards
Fallacies
errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument
Logical fallacy
An argument can sometimes sound logical and true on the surface but once it’s interpreted further it falls apart
Appeal to Authority
Using the position of an authority figure in your argument
Appeal to Nature
Making the argument that because something is natural it is therefore valid, justified or inherently good
Appealing to popularity
the fact that many people do something as a form of validation
Burden of Proof
Saying that the proof lies not with the person making the claim but rather someone else disproving the claim
Ad Hominem
Attacking the character or personal traits of the individual rather than the argument being made
Strawman
Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to discredit
Quantitative data
Numerical data that is measurable
Qualitative data
Involves collecting and analysing non numerical data to understand concepts, opinions or experiences
Primary research
Original research done by the researcher themself with their own data
Secondary research
Research which collects data from other peoples studies
Naturalistic observation
Studying someone in a natural environment
Laboratory experiment
An experiment carried out in a controlled environment
Field experiment
An experiment carried out in a natural environment
Natural experiment
An experiment where the experimenter does not directly control the IV
Quasi experiment
an experiment where the experimenter does not directly control the IV and the IV is naturally occuring
Parallel experimental design (Independent groups)
When participants split into two groups randomly and do 1 condition each
Crossover experimental design (repeated measures)
All groups doing the same conditions one group does it first then the second group after
Randomised Control Trials design (Matched pairs)
Recruit group of ppts, but find out what sort of people are in your group then match them one for one on key characteristics. Requires pretest
IV
What you change
DV
What you measure (outcome)
Hypothesis
A statement of expected results deduced from previous findings or logical reasoning
Null hypothesis
Stating there will be no difference or no relationship between two variables
Type 1 error
Error made when someone accepts something as true that is actually false
Type 2 error
Error made when someone accepts something false that is actually true
Interval data
Parametric
Nominal and ordinal data
Non - parametric
Cognitive biases
When new info isn’t judged rationally and we envision something different from how it actually is
Confirmation bias (cherry picking)
Tendency to interpret info in a way that confirms someone’s preconceptions, whilst ignoring evidence against it
Selection bias
Distortion of evidence or data that arises from the way the samples for a study are collected
Survivorship bias
A type of selection bias that ignores the unsuccessful outcomes of a selection process
Publication bias
Scientific journal editors and publishers are more likely to publish studies with positive results rather than negative
Choosing measures of average
Mode - not used often avoid
Median - used when data is not normally distributed
Mean - used when data is normally distributed
Variance
A measure of how scattered around the average value is
Range
Largest observation minus smallest observation
Interquartile Range
Upper quartile minus lower quartile
Standard Deviation
Measures the average amount by which all the values deviate from the mean
Choosing measure of spread
Standard deviation - When data is normally distributed
Interquartile range - Should be used when data is not normally distributed
Range - not a good measure
Focus groups
Recommended when you want to gain multiple perspectives from a large group
One to one interviews
Recommended when researcher wants to understand individual decision processes
Thematic analysis
- Become familiar with data
- Generate codes
- Generate themes
- Review themes
- Define and name themes
- write up report
Reflexivity
The idea of being aware of your own values, ideas, biases and pre-judgements
Guba and lincoln (1984)
- Credibility
- Transferability
- Dependability
- Confirmability
Volunteer sampling
When an individual comes forward to take part in your study after seeing a form of advertisement, physical media or social media.
-Biased
Opportunity sampling (Convenience sampling)
Asking people around you that are willing to take part.
-Biased
Random sampling
Write all names of the target population onto seperate pieces of paper and put them all in a hat. Pick out names in relation to sample size and then ask if those picked out want to be a part of the study.
-Not biased
Systematic sampling
Get a full list of the target population and then using a nth number to pick out the sample. Eg rolling a dice and getting a 5 and then using every 5th name
- Not biased
Stratified sampling
Researcher will find stratas of a target population. Eg 16 year olds, 17 year olds, 18 year olds
Cluster sampling
a sampling technique where the population is divided into clusters or groups based on criteria such as geographic location
Phenomenology
To explore the underlying meaning of an experience or phenomenon from the individuals perspective
Ethnography
To develop a rich, thick description that allows a deeper understanding of experiences within a particular group
Narrative research
To collect and analyse peoples accounts to describe their experiences and retell their story
Case Study
To collect data about a specific phenomenon within its real-life context
Grounded Theory
To systematically gather data to learn more about social relationships and the behaviours of groups, known as social processes
Ethics in Qualitative research
- Forced participation
- Lack of informed consent
- Lack of confidentiality
- Lack of anonymity
- Sharing ppts personal data
- Deception
- Physical or psychological harm
- Intrusion
Overt
When someone is aware they are being watched and can see the observer
Covert
When someone isn’t aware they are being watched being under cover. More chance of naturalistic and valid behaviour
Controlled observation
OBservations that take place in a controlled environment eg a lab
Participant observation
When observer is part of the group they are observing usually done covertly undercover cop
Structured observations
When you know what behaviours you are going to observing before observing them
Unstructured observations
When you have no idea what behaviours you will observe as you dont know what behaviours will come up. Eg observing people at a nudist beach
