research methods Flashcards
what are participant observations?
• observers are part of the study
what are non participant observations?
• when researchers are not part of the study
• e.g observations via a two way mirror
what are the strengths of participant observations?
• high ecological validity as observers do not make it unnatural
• more data obtained
what are the weaknesses of participant observations?
• hard to step back enough to take observations
• harder to replicate - lowers reliability
what are the strengths of non participant observations?
• objective and impartial data can be collected
• easier to record data
• easier to replicate - reliable
what are the weaknesses of non-participant observations?
• observers can be noticeable leading to demand characteristics
• observer may not understand the study completely and gather unuseful results
what is a covert observation?
• participants do not know that the observation is taking place
what is an overt observation?
• participants know that they are part of a study and that they are being observed
what are the strengths of overt observations?
• more ethical as informed consent can be obtained
what are the weaknesses of overt observations?
• participants know they are being observed so may show demand characteristics which lowers validity
what ethical guidelines do covert observations break?
• informed consent
• no intentional harm/distress
what are the strengths of covert observations?
• natural behaviour is shown - more valid
• no demand characteristics
what are the weaknesses of covert observations?
• unethical
what are the strengths of naturalistic observations?
• high ecological validity
what are the weaknesses of naturalistic observations?
• observer makes decisions on what’s recorded
• low generalisability
• cannot be easily replicated - less reliable
what are the BPs ethical guidelines?
• project liscence required
• animals should have suitable accommodation
• last resort after alternatives have been considered
• species must be appropriate and the minimum amount must be used
• can be some food deprivation but it must be minimised
• kept in groups if needed
what are the pros for animal testing?
• could benefit humans
• we have similarities with animals and can generalise their findings to humans
• practical due to shorter breeding cycles
• sufficient guidelines to protect animals
what are the cons for animal testing?
• speciesm as we wouldn’t do it on humans so why animals?
• animals still are significantly different to humans
• findings lack reliability and validity so not valuable
• cost-benefit analysis is not appropriate
what are the strengths of animal testing?
• animals are small and easy to handle
• short gestation periods
• some procedures are not suitable to humans
• stronger control of the environment
