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psychology > research methods > Flashcards

research methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is Observational Research?

A

A research method in which data is collected by watching participants’ behaviour

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2
Q

Give 2 strengths of observational research.

A
  • Observational research often produces valid results as we can investigate how people actually behave, rather than how they said they would, like in self report methods.
  • Observations can be used when it would be unethical or impractical to manipulate the Independent Variable.
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3
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of observational research.

A
  • Difficult to replicate as the way people act in a certain scenario may not be exactly the same every time.
  • Results may be affected by observer bias, reducing the validity of the results.
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4
Q

What is a structured observation?

A

An observation in which observers collect data by recording the frequency of predetermined behaviours using a coding scheme.

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5
Q

Give 2 strengths of structured observations.

A
  • Produces quantitative data which is easy to analyse and compare between conditions
  • More objective and reduces chance of observer bias
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6
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of structured observations.

A
  • May produce invalid results as the behaviours recorded may not be representative of all behaviours that could occur
  • Produces quantitative data which lacks detail, therefore doesn’t provide detail and reasons for behaviour
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7
Q

What is an unstructured observation?

A

An observation in which observers collect data by writing down all behaviour that occurs in the observation period

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8
Q

Give 2 strengths of unstructured observations.

A
  • Collects qualitative data which is rich in detail and can explain reasons for behaviour
  • Unlike in structured observations, all behaviours will be recorded, so the results will be more valid
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9
Q

Give a 2 weaknesses of unstructured observations.

A
  • As observers are recording everything that occurs, they may miss certain behaviours, therefore decreasing the reliability of results.
  • Collects qualitative data, which is difficult to analyse and can be subjective, decreasing the validity of conclusions made.
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10
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A

An observation carried out in a controlled environment in which extraneous variables can be controlled, for example a laboratory.

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11
Q

Give 2 strengths of controlled observations

A
  • High levels of control over extraneous variables, so causality can be established
  • Can be replicated easily, so they have high external reliability.
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12
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of controlled observations

A
  • Low ecological validity as the environment is highly artificial
  • Participants are more likely to show demand characteristics, decreasing the validity of the results
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13
Q

What is a naturalistic observations?

A

An observation which takes place in the participants’ natural environment

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14
Q

Give 2 strengths of naturalistic observations

A
  • More ecologically valid as the environment is natural.
  • Participants are less likely to show demand characteristics, increasing the validity of the results
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15
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of naturalistic observations

A
  • Low levels of control over extraneous variables, so it is difficult to establish causality
  • Can not be replicated easily, so they have low external reliability.
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16
Q

What is a participant observation?

A

An observation where the observer takes part in the situation they are observing and becomes part of the observed group

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17
Q

Give 2 strengths of participant observations

A
  • Observer can gain a more in-depth understanding of the participants’ behaviour as they are interacting with them
  • The observer will understand the situation that they are observation better because they take part in it themself.
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18
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of participant observations

A
  • Observer will likely have to record behaviours afterwards, and therefore may forget some behaviours, decreasing the reliability of results
  • May lead to observer bias as the researcher is interacting with the participants
  • Usually involves deceiving participants, and therefore is unethical
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19
Q

What is a non-participant observation?

A

An observation in which the observer doesn’t participate in the situation that they are observing and does not become part of the observed group

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20
Q

Give 2 strengths of non-participant observations

A
  • Less likely to result in observer bias as the researcher does not interact with the participants
  • Observer can record behaviours as they happen, therefore not relying on memory
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21
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of non-participant observations

A
  • It may be difficult to understand behaviour of participants if the observer doesn’t interact with them
  • The observer may not understand the situation they are observing if they do not participate in it
22
Q

What is a covert observation?

A

An observation in which the participants are not aware that they are being observed

23
Q

Give a strength of covert observations

A

Reduces the chance of demand characteristics, increasing the validity of results.

24
Q

Give a weakness of covert observations

A

They are unethical as participants do not give informed consent

25
Q

What is a overt observation?

A

An observation in which the participants are aware that they are being observed

26
Q

Give a strength of overt observations

A

They are usually ethical as participants are aware they are being observed and have therefore consented.

27
Q

Give a weakness of overt observations

A

Results may be affected by demand characteristics as participants know they are being observed

28
Q

What is time sampling?

A

When observers pick a time interval and only record behaviours that occur at those times.

29
Q

Give a strength of time sampling

A

Observers are more likely to be able to record behaviours accurately and in detail as they have time to write down what they have observed, meaning what they write down will be valid

30
Q

Give a weakness of time sampling

A

Any behaviours that occur outside of the time intervals will not be recorded so the results may not be representative of all behaviours, and so are less likely to be valid

31
Q

What is event sampling?

A

When observers observe all behaviour through the entire length of the observation, recording all events that occur using a coding scheme

32
Q

Give a strength of event sampling

A

No behaviours will be missed because the observer records behaviour that occurs throughout the whole length of the observation

33
Q

Give a weakness of event sampling

A

Behaviours that aren’t on the coding scheme won’t be recorded, therefore results may be invalid.

34
Q

What is inter-rater reliability in observations?

A

A measure of agreement between multiple observers in what they have seen

35
Q

What is observer bias?

A

When the observer interprets what they see in a way which is influenced by what they expect to see

36
Q

What is correlational research?

A

Research method which investigates the relationship between two co-variables without the researcher manipulating any of them

37
Q

What is a positive correlation?

A

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable also increases

38
Q

What is a negative correlation?

A

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable decreases

39
Q

What is no correlation?

A

No significant relationship is found between the co-variables

40
Q

Write a null hypothesis for correlational research

A

There will be no significant correlation between (Variable A) and (Variable B). Any correlation will be due to chance.

41
Q

Write a one-tailed alternate hypothesis for correlational research

A

There will be a significant positive/negative correlation between (Variable A) and (Variable B).

42
Q

Write a two-tailed alternate hypothesis for correlational research

A

There will be a significant correlation between (Variable A) and (Variable B).

43
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a strong positive correlation?

A

0.7 , 0.8 , 0.9 , 1

44
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a strong negative correlation?

A

-0.7 , -0.8 , -0.9 , -1

45
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a moderate positive correlation?

A

0.4 , 0.5 , 0.6

46
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a moderate negative correlation?

A

-0.4 , -0.5 , -0.6

47
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a weak positive correlation?

A

0.1 , 0.2 , 0.3

48
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a weak negative correlation?

A

-0.1 , -0.2 , -0.3

49
Q

What standard deviation values indicate no correlation?

A

0

50
Q

Give 2 strengths of correlational research

A
  • Good as preliminary research. We can investigate if there is a link between variables before investigating them further experimentally
  • Useful for investigating variables that would be unethical or impractical to manipulate.
51
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of correlational research.

A
  • Impossible to establish cause and effect as a relationship is established, but it is unclear which variable causes the effect in the other
  • There may be a third variable which is affecting the variables, therefore making the results invalid

psychology (4 decks)

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