research methods Flashcards
features of experiments
- Experimenters compare data collected from 2+ experimental groups
with data collected in a control group to make conclusions
about causality - Control groups provide baseline
- IVs are manipulated and DVs are
measured. - The DV is measured with the belief that any difference
is caused by the IV - Standardised procedures and instructions are often used to give
participants the same experience.
what is a lab experiment
Maintained where the experimenter has a high level of
control
strengths of lab experiment
- Ethics – participants give
consent, but its not always informed. The
right to withdraw is often given - Reliability – procedures ave
standardised instructions and procedures,
giving consistency - Validity – a high level of control allows
causality to be shown
weakness of lab experiment
- Ethics – there may be deception of the
aim of the study to ensure validity - Validity – artificial conditions can produce unnatural behaviour,
lowering ecological validity - Validity – features of the environment
may reveal the aim, leading to demand characteristics
what is a field experiment
an experiment that takes place in natural settings
strengths of a field experiment
- Validity – participants do not know they are taking part,
so they are less likely to show demand characteristics. - Validity – there is high ecological validity as
participants are in their everyday environment.
weakness of field experiment
- Ethics – participants often don’t know they are taking
part so this removes their right to withdraw and
debriefing is often impossible. - Reliability – there is less control over extraneous
variables, so research is difficult to replicate
what is independent measures design
Each participant takes part in one group/condition of the independent variable
what are experimental designs
how participants are allocated to groups/conditions
of the independent variable.
3 types of experimental design
- repeated measures,
- independent measures
- matched pairs
strengths of independent measures desin
- Validity: no ordegn effects as participants take
part in only one condition e.g. fatigue, boredom, or
practice effects. - Validity: Less chances of demand characteristics
weaknesses of independent measures design
- Validity: More participants are needed to get data.
- Validity: No control for participant variables.
eg. participants in one group may be naturally
better at the task given.
how can you eliminate participant variables in independent measures
Random allocation: done by tossing a coin or allowing a computer to
allocate groups.
what is repeated measures design
Each participant takes part in all conditions of the IV
strengths of repeated measures
- Validity: Participant variables are
controlled as the same people do both
conditions. - Fewer participants are needed, which is
useful if samples are limited
weaknesses of repeated measures
- Validity: Order effects can occur, so demand characteristics increase
- Apparatus may need duplicating
how can you eliminate order effects in repeated measures
counterbalance conditions. Half the participants first experience condition A
and then condition B, while the other half do B then A.
what is matched pairs design
Participants are matched for variables that could affect the results. Then, each
participant takes part in only one condition of the IV.
strengths of matched pairs design
- Validity: Participant variables are
controlled. - Validity: No problems with
order effects.
weaknesses of matched pairs design
- Validity: Not all
relevant variables may be able to be matched. - It can be difficult and time-consuming to find participants.
what are a self reports
Allow participants to respond to questions about their beliefs and
opinions, and discuss their behaviours.
2 types of self reports
- questionnaire
- interview
features of questionnaires
- Questionnaires can be done by hand or online.
- How questions are asked depends on the type of response/data the researcher wants.
3.Data can be quantitative or qualitative .
strengths of questionnaires
- Questionnaires can obtain views from
a large sample - Anonymity can lead to more honest
answers.
weaknesses of questionnaires
- Participants may not elaborate on answers
when writing, limiting depth of the data. - Participants may give socially desirable
answers, not reflecting their own views/beliefs.
things to consider in a questionnaire
- Leading questions should be avoided to increase validity as these suggest a correct answer.
- Questions should be clear and understandable, so they should
avoid ambiguity. - Anything offensive or upsetting in the questions should be avoided to prevent
distress.
types of questions
- closed
- open
what are closed questions
they offer pre-determined answers for the participant to choose from.
forms of closed questions
- Yes/No
- Category choice
- Likert/rating scale
what is a forced/fixed choice question
Scales do not allow answers like ‘unsure/undecided’ and are
intended to ‘force’ the participant to make a response.
strengths of closed questions
- Data is quantitative and can be analysed
and displayed
visually - Forced choice questions prevent
participants from avoiding questions.
weaknesses of closed questions
- A limited choice of categories can reduce
validity. - Participants may not be able to freely
express their opinions
what are open questions
Participants can express their opinion freely without pre-determined responses.
‘Why’, ‘describe’ and ‘how’ are used in the questions to give qualitative
answers.
strengths of open questions
- Data is qualitative-more insight.
- Participants can give different opinions,
so researchers can understand the
complexity of an issue.
weaknesses of open questions
- Data is harder to analyse
- Data may be open to interpretation.
how can you distribute questionnaires
- online
- in person
- postal
online questionnaire distribution
Online: sending out email requests/online advertisements to complete online.
Strength: access to a large group and easily completed/returned.
Weakness: only targets those online.
in person questionnaire distribution
approaching face to face and asking them to complete it.
Strength: lower costs.
Weakness: limits the sample to those available at the time.
postal questionnaire distribution
sent via the postal system to be returned.
Strength: can target specific groups.
Weakness: expensive and takes time for people to return.
types of interviews
- structured
- unstructured
- semi structured
structured interviews
Fixed questions are pre-prepared and every participant receives the same questions
in the same order.
Strength: standardized as all participants receive the same questions, increasing
reliability.
Weakness: do not allow participants to elaborate on interesting answers.
unstructured interviews
There is no preparation. Questions are asked depending on the direction in
which the discussion goes.
Strength: allow researchers to gain an insight into the area they are researching,
not constrained by set questions.
Weakness: there is more risk of researcher bias.
semi structured interviews
Some structured questions and some unstructured questions
Strength: allow researchers to gain insight into the area.
Weakness: at more risk of researcher bias
strengths of interviews
- Interviews can gather rich, in-depth data.
- The participant can explain their
behaviour.
weaknesses of interviews
- There is an increased likelihood of socially
desirable answers as participants will be
afraid of being judged. - Researchers have to be cautious of
leading questions.
what is a case studies
detailed investigations involving a single ‘unit’: one individual
or a group/organisation of people.
features of case studies
- Useful when researching rare cases
- Triangulation- Data is gathered using a number of different techniques
- Data is often gathered over an extended period of time (making them longitudinal)
- Both qualitative and quantitative data can be gathered.
- Data can be gathered from the participants but also from family, friends and
official records
6.Often begin with a case history
strengths of case studies
- Validity – a case study provides rich and
detailed information giving insight into
an individual’s psychology. - Validity – a case study provides rich and
detailed information giving insight into
an individual’s psychology.
weaknesses of case studies
- Validity – researcher bias can occur as
they work closely with the participant- less objectivity - Reliability – case studies are difficult to
replicate as they are detailed analyses of
one individual/small group.
what is an observation
Data is collected through observing (watching) participants with the aim of
recording the behaviour shown.
features of an observation
- overt or covert
- participant or non-participant
- structured or unstructured
- naturalistic or controlled
what is an overt observation
when the participants know they are being observed.
what is a covert observation
where the participants do not know they are being observed
strength of overt observation
more ethical
as participants know they are being
observed, which avoids deception
weakness of overt observation
may produce demand
characteristics as participants know they
are being watched so may act unnaturally
strength of covert observation
avoid demand
characteristics as participants do not
know they are being observed.
weakness of covert observation
less ethical as
participants do not know they are being
observed and cannot withdraw.
what is participant observation
when the observer becomes part of the community
they wish to observe
what is non-participant observation
when the observer is not a part of the group and
they observe from a distance
strength of participant observation
observers may gain a greater understanding of the
participants’ behaviour as they are involved in the situation
weakness of participant observation
observers may become too involved with
those they are observing and become less objective.
strength of non-participant observation
observers are more likely to be objective as
they are not personally involved in the situation.