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Psychology - Y10 + Y11 > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

3 types of experiments

A
  • Laboratory
  • Field
  • Natural
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2
Q

Whats a laboratory experiment?

A

Experiment carried out in a highly controlled environment like a lab

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3
Q

Strengths of lab experiment

A

Highly controlled = control of any extraneous variables to ensure they dont affect the results

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4
Q

Weaknesses of lab experiment

A
  • Tasks in experiments usually dont represent the behavior as we would test it in the real world
  • Ptpcps normally are aware theyre taking part in an experiment - they will display demand characteristics - lowers the validity of the results
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5
Q

Demand Characteristics meaning

A

Ptcps have an interpretation of what they want, they will change their behaviour to match with their interp. of the aims of the study

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6
Q

What are field experiments?

A

Take place in “the field” - natural environment and researcher still controls the IV to see what effect it has on the DV

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7
Q

Strengths of field exp.

A
  • Ptcps usually are unaware they are taking part in an exp. - more likely to act naturally and not show DC - increases validity as results are more accurate to what would happen irl
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8
Q

Weaknesses of field exp.

A
  • Experimenter has less control over extraneous variables as environment isnt highly controlled - lower validity - lower accuracy
  • Ethical issues - deception and informed consent
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9
Q

What is a natural exp.?

A

Where IV is naturally occuring and researcher has no control over it

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10
Q

Strengths of natural exp.

A
  • They can take place in lab setting
  • High ecological validity
  • No demand characteristics
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11
Q

Weaknesses of natural exp.

A
  • Events may only take place rarely so its hard for psychologists to follow up their research or for others to do the same - not reliable
  • Researcher not able to randomly allocate ptcps to certain coniditons of the IV - results may not be accurate
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12
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

Formal and testable statment of the relationship between 2 variables thats tested through experimentation

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13
Q

Whats a null hypothesis?

A

No relationship/impact

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14
Q

Whats an alternative hypothesis?

A

A prediction that 1 variable will affect the other

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15
Q

Target Population

A

Group of indiviuals researcher is interested in. Important because r. needs to gain a representative sample that allow them to make generalisations across the whole pop

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16
Q

4 types of sampling methods

A
  • Random
  • Oppurtunity
  • Systematic
  • Stratified
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17
Q

Whats the random sampling method?

A

Where every member of the target pop has en equal chance of getting selected

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18
Q

Strengths of random sampling method

A
  • More unbiased - more likely to be more representative of the target pop - makingmore valid generalisaitons possible from research findings
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19
Q

Weaknesses of random sampling method

A
  • Time-consuming as attempting to gather enough willing ptcps from a target pop takes a lot of time and effort
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20
Q

Whats oppurtunity sampling method?

A

Asking those around and most easily available that represent the tagret pop to ptcp in study

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21
Q

Strengths of oppurtunity sampling method

A
  • Easiest and quickest ways to gather ptcps for a study compared to others
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22
Q

Weaknesses of oppurtunity sampling method

A
  • Possible researcher can influence those selected as process isnt randomised
  • Researcher may selecct the ppl they think will support their hypothesis - researcher bias is a potential hinderance
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23
Q

Whats systematic sampling method?

A

Selecting every “nth” member of the target pop

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24
Q

Strengths of systematic sampling method

A
  • Little risk of researcher bias - reliable results
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25
Q

Weaknesses of systematic sampling method

A
  • You need a bigger sample to filter out ptcps
  • Gathering is time consuming
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26
Q

Whats stratified sampling method?

A

Sub-groups within the target pop are identified

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27
Q

Strengths of stratified sampling method

A
  • Very representative of TP - findings have high reliability and validity to make generalisations to the TP
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28
Q

Weaknesses of stratified sampling method

A
  • Time-consuming to identify sub-groups, select necessary ptcpsand attempt to get a proportionate sample involved in the study
  • Extremely difficult to execute and can be impractical
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29
Q

Types of experimental design

A
  • Independant groups
  • Repeated measures
  • Matched pairs
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30
Q

What is an independant groups design?

A

Ptcps involved in study usually divided into 2 subgroups. 1 group will take part in the experimental condition and other wouldn’t be exposed to this and form the control group for comparison

31
Q

Whats repeated measures design?

A

All ptcps are exposed to both conditions of the experiment

32
Q

Independant groups design Strengths

A
  • Ptcps less likely to display demand characteristics as they dont have to oppurtunity to learn or adjust their behaviour in another condition (as they cant compare)
33
Q

Independant groups design Weaknesses

A
  • Diff between conditions could be due to ptcps variables or individual characteristics
34
Q

Repeated measures design strengths

A
  • Ptcps variables eliminated - less chance of individual diff influencing the results
35
Q

Repeated measures design weaknesses

A
  • Higher risk of DC - ptcps may notice the aim of study
36
Q

Whats matched pairs design?

A

Involves gathering ptcps and testing them prior to them taking part in the study on certain characteristics

37
Q

Strengths of matched pairs design

A
  • Reduces ptcps variables which can affect the results - cuz ppl are paireed up together based is similar traits that are relevant to the study
38
Q

Weaknesses of matched pairs design

A
  • You can generally only match ppl based on fixed traits such as gender, height, age however personality factors may be what determines diff in experiments, making results invalid
39
Q

Strengths of questionnaries

A
  1. Can be sent by hand, post, internet - lots of data
    * Quantitative data - close ended qstnr - easy to analyse
    * Anonymous - more likely to be honest
  2. Quick and easy
    * Cheap way of fathering info from large sample
    * Cheap to print and post
    * Ethical - ppl arent forced to do them
  3. Large sample
    * Can be sent to a large sample of ptcps - enables collected of large volumes of data
    * Allows psychologists to make comparisons - more valid conc. drawn
  4. Can get to ppl who live far apart
    * Lead to a more representative sample being obtained
    * Can be sent to ptcps far away to complete at home
40
Q

Weaknesses of questionnaires

A
  1. Rely on ppl being able to read
    * ptcps may struggle with interpreting/reading some qs - low response rate
    * where only those who understand the topic area in the research return the qstn
  2. Lack of control over accuracy on answers
    * Qs can be misunderstoof - complete wrong
  3. Bias sample
    * data collected relies on responses to be returned - usually poor rates
41
Q

Strengths of interviews

A
  1. Detailed
    * Unstructured interviews gather the most in-depth info and explore the beliefs and attitudes of respondents fully
  2. Avoids over simplifying
    * Can deviate from the interview schedule if they feel an interesting topic can be explored - means that the meaning behind the ptcps responses isnt lost
  3. Greater attention to individuals view point
    * Info about a ptcps beliefs, feelings, opinions which would be v difficult to acheive in an experiment. Interviews provides us with greater insight
42
Q

Weaknesses of interviews

A
  1. Demand characteristics/interviewer effects
    * Social desirability bias - where a respondent may answer a question in a way thats deemed socially acceptable
    * Interviewer effect - where their characteristics can impact the way a respondent answers qs
  2. Difficult to analyse
    * Interview data = time-consuming to analyse and interpret when its so detailed (and in a qualitative format)
  3. Time consuming and expensive
    * Time and expensive when training interviewers to conduct unstructured interviews
43
Q

Types of observations

A
  • Covert
  • Overt
  • Controlled/structured
  • Naturalistic/ Unstructured
  • Ptcps observation
  • Non-ptcps observation
44
Q

What is a covert observation?

A

Ptcps arent aware they are being observed and they cant see anyone taking notes/recordings

45
Q

What is an overt observation?

A

Ptcps can see the researcher and are aware they are being observed

46
Q

What is a controlled/structured observation?

A

Conducted in a lab setting, high levels of control

47
Q

What is a naturalistic/unstructured observation?

A

Takes place in the “real world” places, ptcps are likely to spen d their time such as school/work or their own homes

48
Q

What is ptcps observations?

A

Researcher joins the group being observed and takes part in group activities

49
Q

What are non-ptcps observations?

A

Researcher is separate from ptcps recording observations without taking part in group activities

50
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of covert

A
  1. Ptcps are unaware they’re being observed - more likely to show naturalistic behaviour - higher validity
  2. Unethical as ptcps are unable to give informed consent
51
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of overt

A
  1. Highly ethical as ptcps gave informed consent
  2. Demand characteristics - low validity
52
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of controlled/structured

A
  1. Highly controlled - no extraneous variables affecting results - reliable
  2. Controlled - low ecological validity, may lead to DC
53
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of ptcps observation

A
  1. Close proximity to ptcps - unlikelt to miss any behaviour, high ecological validity is observation is also covert
  2. Difficult to replicate, researchers can lose objectivity
54
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic/uncontrolled

A
  1. High EV
  2. Extraneous variables - reduces validity
55
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of non-ptcps observation

A
  1. Researcher more likely to remain objective in their interpretation of ptcps behaviour
  2. Researcher misses out on important insights the ptcps may not behave naturally due to a lack of trust/ rapport
56
Q

Types of correlation

A
  • Positive - both variables increase
  • Negative - 1 variable increases, other decreases
  • Zero
57
Q

What are standardising prodecures?

A

Set of sequences which apply to all the ptcps when necesssary to ensure experiment is unbiased - allow researcher to controll all variables so results are valid

58
Q

What is “instructions to ptcps”?

A

Verbal.written instructions to address issue to ptcps, done in sections : briefings, standardised instructions given, debriefing

59
Q

What is randomisation?

A

To make sure there are no biases in procedures - way of controlled EV

60
Q

What are the 2 methods for the allocation of ptcps to conditions so that it reduces researcher bias?

A
  • Counterbalacing
  • Random Allocation
61
Q

What is random allocation?

A

Independant group design

62
Q

What is counterbalancing?

A

Prob with otcos repeating tasks is that it causes order effects = when ptcps learn from experience and do better in the other conditions.
Using this allows for the effects of it to be balaned out equally between the conditions, providing valid results

63
Q

What is meant by ethics in psychology?

A

Refers to correct rules of conduct needed when carrying out research.
BPS (British Psychological Society) have outlined ethical issues psych. need to consider

64
Q

What are the ethical considerations?

A
  • Consent
  • Debrief - have ptcps been informed about the aim?
  • Confidential
  • Deception - have they been lied to?
  • Withdraw - ptcps can leave anytime
  • Protection from harm - have they been affect psychologically/physically?

Can Do Cant Do With Participants

65
Q

Types of data

A
  • Quantitative
  • Qualitative
  • Primary
  • Secondary
66
Q

Quantitative vs Qualitative

A

Quantitative:
* Numerical forms data
* Easy to display - graphs, %
* Doesnt provide “why”
Qualitative
* Data in descriptive form
* Rich in detail data
* Can provide a “why”
* Time consuming to collect, hard to summarise

67
Q

Primary vs Secondary

A

Primary:
* Collected first hand from the source by researcher
* Majorirt of data in psychological research is this data
Secondary:
* Data thats alr published

68
Q

What is meant by descriptive statistics?

A

Researchers usually want to identify patterns in behavior through statistics rather than concrete on individual performances

69
Q

What do graphs present?

A
  • Represent relationship between 2 or more variables
  • Summarise data - no raw data from a study
  • Scatter or line graphs
70
Q

What do bar charts present?

A
  • Data in categories
  • Categories - x-axis
  • Frequency on y-axis
  • Gaps between bars
71
Q

What do frequency tables present?

A
  • Shows how often something occurs
72
Q

What do histograms present?

A
  • Used to present continuous data
  • Continuous scores - x-axis
  • Frequency - y-axis
  • No spaces between bars as data is continous
73
Q

What is normal distribution?

A

Arrangement of data in which most values group in the middle of the range and the rest taper off symmetrically towards each end

74
Q

What is intero-observer reliability?

A

Which 2 or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way, then they compare to check for consistency

Psychology - Y10 + Y11 (7 decks)

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