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Research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Define standardisation

A

Using the same formalised procedures and instructions for all ppts in RS

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2
Q

Why is it important to use standardised procedures?

A

Prevents non-standardised procedures acting as an extraneous variable

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3
Q

What are extraneous variables

A

Any variable other then the IV, that may effect the DV if not controlled, they do not vary with the IV

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4
Q

Define investigator effects

A

Any effect that the investigators behaviour has on the RS outcome e.g leading qs

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5
Q

Define demand characteristics

A

Any cue from the researcher/research situation that may be interpreted by the ppt as revealing the aim of the study, resulting in change of behaviour.

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6
Q

What is a confounding variable?

A

Any variable, other then the IV that may affect the DV and vary systematically with the IV

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7
Q

What is a directional hypothesis?

A

States the direction of the difference of the relationship

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8
Q

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

A

Does not state the direction, only a ‘differece’

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9
Q

When is a directionally hypothesis used?

A
  • findings of previous R/S suggests a particular outcome
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10
Q

When is a non-directional hypothesis used?

A
  • when there is no previous research
  • within research there is contradictory evidence
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11
Q

What are the two levels of the IV

A
  • control condition
    -experimental condition
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12
Q

Define operationalisation

A

Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

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13
Q

What is one strength and one limitation of the independent group design?

A

Limitation: ppt are different, so effect on DV may be down to individual differences
Strength: no order effects they’re less likely to guess the aim, unlike repeated measures

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14
Q

What is one strength and limitation of repeated measures?

A

Limitation: order effects: ppts do 2x tasks so could result in demand characteristics
Strength: ppt variables are controlled+fewer ppl needed(more economical)

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15
Q

What is one strength and one limitation of matched pairs?

A

Limitation: there is an attempt to reduce ppt variables, but never matched perfectly there will always be important differences between them that could affect the DV
Strength: only one condition-order effects and demand characteristics are less of an issue

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16
Q

what is a pilot study?

A

small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted

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17
Q

what is the aim of a pilot study?

A

check procedures, materials,measuring scales etc work and allows modification by researcher

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18
Q

what is a single blind procedure?

A

ppts are unaware of aims, conditions etc to control demand characteristics

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19
Q

what is a double blind procedure?

A

where both the ppt and researcher are unaware of aims, conditions etc

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20
Q

What is a pilot study?

A

A small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted

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21
Q

What is a pilot study?

A

A small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted

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22
Q

What is the aim of a pilot study?

A

Check procedures, materials, measuring scales work+ allows amendments to be made

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23
Q

What is a volunteer sample?

A

Participant select themselves to participate =Produce an advert/ppt raise hands.

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24
Q

What is a random sample?

A

All ppt have same chance of being selected e.g use of numbers

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25
Q

What are the 5 types of sampling techniques?

A
  • volunteer
  • random
    -systematic
    -opportunity
  • stratified
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26
Q

What are the 4 types of experiment?

A

-lab
-field
-natural
-quasi

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27
Q

What is a lab experiment?

A

Experiments high are conducted in a highly controlled environment

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28
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

An experiment where the IV is manipulated in a more natural everyday setting

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29
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

When the researcher takes advantage of a pre-existing IV. ‘Natural’ bc the variable would’ve changed even if the experimenter was not interested.

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30
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

Experiments that have an IV that is based on existing differences between people e.g age. Variable isn’t manipulated it simply exist

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31
Q

What are two strengths of lab experiments?

A
  • high control over extraneous variables. Ensuring that effect on DV was result of manipulation of the IV. Ensuring cause+effect (int validity)
    -replication =more possible bc of high lvl of control. Ensures new extraneous variables= not introduced when repeating the experiment. Replication=vital for ensuring validity
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32
Q

Give two limitations of a lab study

A
  • lack generalisability, lab environment=artificial+ not like everyday life. In diff contexts ppt may behav differently, resulting in their behav not being generalised to everyday setting (low ext validity)
  • ppt=aware of being tested giving rise to DC =unnatural behav
  • artificial tasks do not represent real life experience( low mundane realism
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33
Q

Give one strength of field experiments

A
  • higher mundane realism than lab bc environ=more natural. Behav=more authentic+valid, especially as ppt=unaware of being studied (high int validity)
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34
Q

What are two limitations of a field experiment?

A
  • lack of control of ext variables. Cause+effect can’t be established, +precise replication is often impossible
  • ethical issues-unaware can’t consent and RS may invade privacy
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35
Q

What are 2 strengths of natural experiments?

A
  • provide opportunities 4 RS that may not be undertaken for ethical reasons e.g Romanian orphans
  • high ext validity bc involve RL issues+problems e.g effect of Nat disaster
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36
Q

Give 2 limitations of the natural experiment

A
  • naturally occurring event-rare-limit oppurtunities for RS+ scope of generalising to similar situations
  • ppt=not randomly allocated in experimental conditions. Can’t ensure cause+effect of IV+DV
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37
Q

What is one strength of a quasi experiment?

A

Often carried out under controlled conditions+ share same strengths as lab

38
Q

What is one limitation of a quasi experiment

A

Can’t randomly allocate ppts to conditions therefore CF

39
Q

What is a systematic sample?

A

Every nth member of the target population is selected. A sampling frame is produced=list of target pop. Then sampling system=nominated

40
Q

What is a stratified sample?

A

Composition of the sample reflects the proportions of ppl in certain sub groups(strata) within the target population

41
Q

How do you carry out a stratified sample?

A
  1. Identify diff strata of the population
  2. Proportions=worked out for the strata
  3. Ppt selected through random sampling
42
Q

What is an oppurtunity sample?

A

Selection of ppt who are willing+available

43
Q

what are the 6 observational techniques?

A

naturalistic vs controlled
covert vs overt
ppt vs non-ppt

44
Q

what is a naturalistic observation?

A

watching+recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur

45
Q

what is a controlled observation?

A

watching+recording behaviour within a structured environment (i.e variables=managed)

46
Q

what is a covert observation?

A

ppt behaviour= watched+recorded without their consent or knowledge

47
Q

what is an overt observation?

A

ppt behaviour =watched+recorded w/their knowledge + consent

48
Q

what is a participant observation?

A

researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching+recording

49
Q

what is a non participant observation?

A

researcher remains outside of group whose behaviour she/he is watching+recording

50
Q

give one strength and one limitation of a random sample

A

s: free from researcher bias-no influence over selected ppt
l: sample could still be unrepresentative
l: difficult +time consuming e.g making list of target pop

51
Q

give two strengths of a systematic sample

A

no researcher bias, fairly representative

52
Q

give one strength+limitation of a stratified sample

A

s: avoid researcher bias, once strate=selected, random sample used
l: stratification=not perfect it cant reflect how people are idff. complete representation of target pop=impossible

53
Q

give one strength+limitation of an oppurtunity sample

A

s:sampling=convenient saves time, effort, cost compared to random
l: researcher bias-complete control over selection of ppt

54
Q

give one strength+limitation of a volunteer sample

A

s: minimal effort, so less time-consuming
l: volunteer bias- asking may attract certain profile of ppl e.g those whore helpful, keen may affect how findings can be generalised

55
Q

what are ethical issues?

A

conflicts btwn rights of ppt+goals of RS to create authentic+valid data

56
Q

what are the 5 ethical issues?

A

deception, informed consent, protection from harm, privacy, confidentiality

57
Q

what is deception?

A

deliberately misleading/witholding info

58
Q

what is privacy?

A

right to control info about themselves

59
Q

what is confidentiality?

A

if privacy invaded-ppt=right to have any personal data protected

60
Q

what is used during research to deal with ethical issues?

A

BPS code of conduct
- contains a BPS code of ethical guidelines

61
Q

how do you deal with informed consent?

A
  • ppt issued with a consent letter with all details of relevant info that may affect there decision in ppt+sign
    -U16-parents
62
Q

how do you deal with deception+protection from harm (4)

A
  • full debrief with details they=unaware of e.g aim/other conditions
  • told what the data will be used for +their right to withdraw data
  • told their behaviour=normal
  • extreme- provided counselling
63
Q

how do you deal with confidentiality?

A

protect personal details or record none (anonymity)+ remind ppt data=protected during briefing+debriefing

64
Q

give one strenght+limitation of a covert observation

A

s: ppt=unaware removed DC+observes nat behav. inc validity
l: ethics-informed consent

65
Q

give one strength+limitation of an overt observation

A

s: more ethically acceptable
l: ppt=aware=significant influence on their behav.

66
Q

give one strength+limitation of a naturalistic observation

A

s: high ext validity-findings can be generalised to RL=studied in environ which would normally occur in
l: lack of control=replication=difficult

67
Q

give one strenght+limitation of an controlled observation

A

s: EV=less of an issue=more control=replication=easier
l: may produce findings not generalisable to RL

68
Q

give one strength+limitation of an ppt observation

A

s: researcher experiences situation=high insight into lives on ppt being studies=high int. validity
l:danger as researcher may identify too strong with those being studies+lose objectivity

69
Q

give one strength+ limitation of a non-ppt observation

A

s: researcher maintains objective psychological distance from ppt, less likely to be subjective
l: lose valuable isnight gained in ppt obs. as too far away from ppl+behav being studied

70
Q

what is a paradigm shift?

A

a significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientifc discipline result of a scientific revolution

70
Q

define a paradigm

A

set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline

71
Q

why does a paradigm shift occur?

A

when there=too much contradictory evidence to ignore, so a set of core beliefs are challeneged+revolutionised

72
Q

why is psychology seen as a pre-science?

A

too much internal disagreement from approaches, traditional sciences have core beliefs that dont change/differ

73
Q

where does theory construction come from?

A

evidence from direct observation

74
Q

define theory

A

gen laws/rules to explain behav

75
Q

what is hypothesis testing used for?

A

for the hypothesis to be accepted or refuted as if refuted can be revisited and a new hypothesis is formed. known as deduction

76
Q

what is the theory of falsification?

A

just bc a theory has been repeatedly tested, doesnt mean its true, it just hasnt been proven false yet

77
Q

what are the strongest theories?

A

those that have been repeatedly tested and tried to be falsified but not been proven false

78
Q

what must occur for findings to replicable?

A

it must be repeatable across context+circumstance

79
Q

what do empirical methods emphasise?

A

emphasise data collection based on direct, sensory experience

80
Q

how can you improve the reliability of questionnaires?

A
  • test-re-test
  • if correlation co-efficient=lower then 0.80 then qs need to be alter/ removed-misinterpreted
  • use closed qs
81
Q

how can you improve the reliability of interviews?

A

-strcutured interviews
-same trained interviewer-no leading qs

82
Q

how can you improve the reliability of experiments?

A

-lab=more replicable methods not field
=strict control

83
Q

how can you improve the reliability of observations?

A

bheavioural categories are
- operationalised
- self-evident
-no overlapping
- all possible ebhaviours ocvered
so diff viewers=diff judgements

84
Q
A
85
Q

what is it when observers intepret things in diff ways?

A

subjectivity bias

85
Q

what is face validity?

A

a measure is scrutinised to determine if it appears to measure what it is suppose to measure

86
Q

what is concurrent validity

A

extent to which psychological measure relates to an exsisting similar measure

87
Q

define a case study

A

a detailed+in depth analysis of an single person, group or event of a particular interest

88
Q

define content analysis

A

a research technique which enables the indirect study of behaviour by examining the communication which ppl produce

89
Q

aim of content analysis

A

summarise +describe coomunication in systematic way so overall conclusions can e drawn

90
Q

what are the stages of content analysis?

A
  1. transcribe
    2.code
  2. tally
  3. write a report

Psychology (12 decks)

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