research methods Flashcards
what is the independent variable
the one that we change
what is the dependant variable
what we are measuring
define operationalise
to put a method to a hypothesis
how to get a volunteer sample
advert in a newspaper
what is an opportunity sample
study done with people available at the time
what is a stratified sample
the target group is divided into subgroups - each representing a key characteristic
strength of stratified sampling
very fair, represents different groups equally
weakness of stratified sampling
takes a long time
strength of volunteer sample
simple , time effective
weakness of volunteer sample
volunteers are normally similar types of people - low generalisability
strength of opportunity sample
quick and easy
weakness of opportunity sample
not very representative - low generalisability
strength of random sampling
fair and no bias - high validity
weakness of random sampling
time consuming
what is a repeated measures design
one group of participants takes part in both conditions
what is an independent groups design
2 different groups do different conditions
what is a matched pairs design
2 groups are matched on similar key characteristic
each group takes part in different conditions
define counter balancing
group 1 do A then B
so , group 2 do B then A
what does counter balancing minimise
order effects
repeated measures design strength
no individuals differences
repeated measures weaknesses
order effects
independent groups strength
no order effects
independent groups weakness
individuals differences
matched pairs strengths
no order effects
participant variables controlled
matched pairs weaknesses
time consuming
may not control all participant variables
what is a laboratory experiment
- in an artificial environment
lab experiment strengths
- most scientific/ objective
- controls extraneous variables
- replicable which may show predictive validity
lab experiments weaknesses
- lacks ecological validity
- may involve deception
- possible demand characteristics
what is a field experiment
conducted in a natural environment
field experiment strengths
- high ecological validity
- no demand characteristics
- cause and effect conclusions can be drawn so high internal validity
field experiments weaknesses
- hard to control extraneous/ confounding variables so reduces internal validity
- more difficult to replicate
- can be affected by experimenter effects
what are natural experiments
naturally occurring IV and DV
natural experiments strengths
- ethical as IV is not manipulated
natural experiments weakness
- no control of extraneous variables
- rare to find events that can be studied
- ethical issues (deception, informed consent)
strengths of closed questions
- quick and easy
- easily analysed
- questions are all the same so more reliable
weakness of closed questions
- limited amount of info
- choice answers could mean different things to different people (subjective) so lacks validity
strengths of open questions
- respondents can answer freely
- more detailed and valid , true to real life
- more objective
weakness of open questions
- more time and effort needed
- qualitative analyses can lead to subjective interpretation
3 types of interviews
- structured
- semi structured
- unstructured
structured interviews strengths
- easy
- do not need to establish a rapport
weaknesses of structured interviews
- data can lack depth
- respondents may not be able to express opinions fully
strengths of semi structured interviews
- conversations flow better
- more comfortable as more relaxed atmosphere
weaknesses of semi structured interviews
- flexibility may lessen reliability
strengths of unstructured interviews
- more flexible as questions can be changed
- increased validity
- usually in depth and detailed
weaknesses of unstructured interviews
- time consuming
- employing and training interviewers is expernsive
what is a longitudinal study
A group of participants are studies over a long period of time (e.g. months, years etc.)
strengths of longitudinal studies
- no participant variables
- great at spotting developmental trends
weaknesses of longitudinal studies
- dropouts of the study
- time consuming, expensive
- participants and researcher might form a relationship and then results may become bias
define cross sectional studies
uses several groups of participants at a single point in time (e.g same age,gender, ethnicity)
strengths of cross sectional studies
- cheap, quick and practical
- participants are more easily obtained
weaknesses of cross sectional studies
- less detailed data
- the data collected is from a snapshot in time, it is harder to identify and analyse developmental trends
