research methods

Question 1

what is the independent variable

Answer 1

the one that we change

Question 2

what is the dependant variable

Answer 2

what we are measuring

Question 3

define operationalise

Answer 3

to put a method to a hypothesis

Question 4

how to get a volunteer sample

Answer 4

advert in a newspaper

Question 5

what is an opportunity sample

Answer 5

study done with people available at the time

Question 6

what is a stratified sample

Answer 6

the target group is divided into subgroups - each representing a key characteristic

Question 7

strength of stratified sampling

Answer 7

very fair, represents different groups equally

Question 8

weakness of stratified sampling

Answer 8

takes a long time

Question 9

strength of volunteer sample

Answer 9

simple , time effective

Question 10

weakness of volunteer sample

Answer 10

volunteers are normally similar types of people - low generalisability

Question 11

strength of opportunity sample

Answer 11

quick and easy

Question 12

weakness of opportunity sample

Answer 12

not very representative - low generalisability

Question 13

strength of random sampling

Answer 13

fair and no bias - high validity

Question 14

weakness of random sampling

Answer 14

time consuming

Question 15

what is a repeated measures design

Answer 15

one group of participants takes part in both conditions

Question 16

what is an independent groups design

Answer 16

2 different groups do different conditions

Question 17

what is a matched pairs design

Answer 17

2 groups are matched on similar key characteristic

each group takes part in different conditions

Question 18

define counter balancing

Answer 18

group 1 do A then B
so , group 2 do B then A

Question 19

what does counter balancing minimise

Answer 19

order effects

Question 20

repeated measures design strength

Answer 20

no individuals differences

Question 21

repeated measures weaknesses

Answer 21

order effects

Question 22

independent groups strength

Answer 22

no order effects

Question 23

independent groups weakness

Answer 23

individuals differences

Question 24

matched pairs strengths

Answer 24

no order effects

participant variables controlled

Question 25

matched pairs weaknesses

Answer 25

time consuming

may not control all participant variables

Question 26

what is a laboratory experiment

Answer 26

• in an artificial environment

Question 27

lab experiment strengths

Answer 27

• most scientific/ objective
• controls extraneous variables
• replicable which may show predictive validity

Question 28

lab experiments weaknesses

Answer 28

• lacks ecological validity
• may involve deception
• possible demand characteristics

Question 29

what is a field experiment

Answer 29

conducted in a natural environment

Question 30

field experiment strengths

Answer 30

• high ecological validity
• no demand characteristics
• cause and effect conclusions can be drawn so high internal validity

Question 31

field experiments weaknesses

Answer 31

• hard to control extraneous/ confounding variables so reduces internal validity
• more difficult to replicate
• can be affected by experimenter effects

Question 32

what are natural experiments

Answer 32

naturally occurring IV and DV

Question 33

natural experiments strengths

Answer 33

• ethical as IV is not manipulated

Question 34

natural experiments weakness

Answer 34

• no control of extraneous variables
• rare to find events that can be studied
• ethical issues (deception, informed consent)

Question 35

strengths of closed questions

Answer 35

• quick and easy
• easily analysed
• questions are all the same so more reliable

Question 36

weakness of closed questions

Answer 36

• limited amount of info
• choice answers could mean different things to different people (subjective) so lacks validity

Question 37

strengths of open questions

Answer 37

• respondents can answer freely
• more detailed and valid , true to real life
• more objective

Question 38

weakness of open questions

Answer 38

• more time and effort needed
• qualitative analyses can lead to subjective interpretation

Question 39

3 types of interviews

Answer 39

1. structured
2. semi structured
3. unstructured

Question 40

structured interviews strengths

Answer 40

• easy
• do not need to establish a rapport

Question 41

weaknesses of structured interviews

Answer 41

• data can lack depth
• respondents may not be able to express opinions fully

Question 42

strengths of semi structured interviews

Answer 42

• conversations flow better
• more comfortable as more relaxed atmosphere

Question 43

weaknesses of semi structured interviews

Answer 43

• flexibility may lessen reliability

Question 44

strengths of unstructured interviews

Answer 44

• more flexible as questions can be changed
• increased validity
• usually in depth and detailed

Question 45

weaknesses of unstructured interviews

Answer 45

• time consuming
• employing and training interviewers is expernsive

Question 46

what is a longitudinal study

Answer 46

A group of participants are studies over a long period of time (e.g. months, years etc.)

Question 47

strengths of longitudinal studies

Answer 47

• no participant variables
• great at spotting developmental trends

Question 48

weaknesses of longitudinal studies

Answer 48

• dropouts of the study
• time consuming, expensive
• participants and researcher might form a relationship and then results may become bias

Question 49

define cross sectional studies

Answer 49

uses several groups of participants at a single point in time (e.g same age,gender, ethnicity)

Question 50

strengths of cross sectional studies

Answer 50

• cheap, quick and practical
• participants are more easily obtained

Question 51

weaknesses of cross sectional studies

Answer 51

• less detailed data
• the data collected is from a snapshot in time, it is harder to identify and analyse developmental trends