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Biology and Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is Observational Research?

A

A research method in which data is collected by watching participants’ behaviour

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2
Q

Give 2 strengths of observational research.

A
  • Observational research often produces valid results as we can investigate how people actually behave, rather than how they said they would, like in self report methods.
  • Observations can be used when it would be unethical or impractical to manipulate the Independent Variable.
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3
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of observational research.

A
  • Difficult to replicate as the way people act in a certain scenario may not be exactly the same every time.
  • Results may be affected by observer bias, reducing the validity of the results.
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4
Q

What is a structured observation?

A

An observation in which observers collect data by recording the frequency of predetermined behaviours using a coding scheme.

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5
Q

Give 2 strengths of structured observations.

A
  • Produces quantitative data which is easy to analyse and compare between conditions
  • More objective and reduces chance of observer bias
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6
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of structured observations.

A
  • May produce invalid results as the behaviours recorded may not be representative of all behaviours that could occur
  • Produces quantitative data which lacks detail, therefore doesn’t provide detail and reasons for behaviour
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7
Q

What is an unstructured observation?

A

An observation in which observers collect data by writing down all behaviour that occurs in the observation period

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8
Q

Give 2 strengths of unstructured observations.

A
  • Collects qualitative data which is rich in detail and can explain reasons for behaviour
  • Unlike in structured observations, all behaviours will be recorded, so the results will be more valid
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9
Q

Give a 2 weaknesses of unstructured observations.

A
  • As observers are recording everything that occurs, they may miss certain behaviours, therefore decreasing the reliability of results.
  • Collects qualitative data, which is difficult to analyse and can be subjective, decreasing the validity of conclusions made.
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10
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A

An observation carried out in a controlled environment in which extraneous variables can be controlled, for example a laboratory.

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11
Q

Give 2 strengths of controlled observations

A
  • High levels of control over extraneous variables, so causality can be established
  • Can be replicated easily, so they have high external reliability.
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12
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of controlled observations

A
  • Low ecological validity as the environment is highly artificial
  • Participants are more likely to show demand characteristics, decreasing the validity of the results
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13
Q

What is a naturalistic observations?

A

An observation which takes place in the participants’ natural environment

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14
Q

Give 2 strengths of naturalistic observations

A
  • More ecologically valid as the environment is natural.
  • Participants are less likely to show demand characteristics, increasing the validity of the results
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15
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of naturalistic observations

A
  • Low levels of control over extraneous variables, so it is difficult to establish causality
  • Can not be replicated easily, so they have low external reliability.
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16
Q

What is a participant observation?

A

An observation where the observer takes part in the situation they are observing and becomes part of the observed group

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17
Q

Give 2 strengths of participant observations

A
  • Observer can gain a more in-depth understanding of the participants’ behaviour as they are interacting with them
  • The observer will understand the situation that they are observation better because they take part in it themself.
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18
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of participant observations

A
  • Observer will likely have to record behaviours afterwards, and therefore may forget some behaviours, decreasing the reliability of results
  • May lead to observer bias as the researcher is interacting with the participants
  • Usually involves deceiving participants, and therefore is unethical
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19
Q

What is a non-participant observation?

A

An observation in which the observer doesn’t participate in the situation that they are observing and does not become part of the observed group

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20
Q

Give 2 strengths of non-participant observations

A
  • Less likely to result in observer bias as the researcher does not interact with the participants
  • Observer can record behaviours as they happen, therefore not relying on memory
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21
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of non-participant observations

A
  • It may be difficult to understand behaviour of participants if the observer doesn’t interact with them
  • The observer may not understand the situation they are observing if they do not participate in it
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22
Q

What is a covert observation?

A

An observation in which the participants are not aware that they are being observed

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23
Q

Give a strength of covert observations

A

Reduces the chance of demand characteristics, increasing the validity of results.

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24
Q

Give a weakness of covert observations

A

They are unethical as participants do not give informed consent

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25
Q

What is a overt observation?

A

An observation in which the participants are aware that they are being observed

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26
Q

Give a strength of overt observations

A

They are usually ethical as participants are aware they are being observed and have therefore consented.

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27
Q

Give a weakness of overt observations

A

Results may be affected by demand characteristics as participants know they are being observed

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28
Q

What is time sampling?

A

When observers pick a time interval and only record behaviours that occur at those times.

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29
Q

Give a strength of time sampling

A

Observers are more likely to be able to record behaviours accurately and in detail as they have time to write down what they have observed, meaning what they write down will be valid

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30
Q

Give a weakness of time sampling

A

Any behaviours that occur outside of the time intervals will not be recorded so the results may not be representative of all behaviours, and so are less likely to be valid

31
Q

What is event sampling?

A

When observers observe all behaviour through the entire length of the observation, recording all events that occur using a coding scheme

32
Q

Give a strength of event sampling

A

No behaviours will be missed because the observer records behaviour that occurs throughout the whole length of the observation

33
Q

Give a weakness of event sampling

A

Behaviours that aren’t on the coding scheme won’t be recorded, therefore results may be invalid.

34
Q

What is inter-rater reliability in observations?

A

A measure of agreement between multiple observers in what they have seen

35
Q

What is observer bias?

A

When the observer interprets what they see in a way which is influenced by what they expect to see

36
Q

What is correlational research?

A

Research method which investigates the relationship between two co-variables without the researcher manipulating any of them

37
Q

What is a positive correlation?

A

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable also increases

38
Q

What is a negative correlation?

A

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable decreases

39
Q

What is no correlation?

A

No significant relationship is found between the co-variables

40
Q

Write a null hypothesis for correlational research

A

There will be no significant correlation between (Variable A) and (Variable B). Any correlation will be due to chance.

41
Q

Write a one-tailed alternate hypothesis for correlational research

A

There will be a significant positive/negative correlation between (Variable A) and (Variable B).

42
Q

Write a two-tailed alternate hypothesis for correlational research

A

There will be a significant correlation between (Variable A) and (Variable B).

43
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a strong positive correlation?

A

0.7 , 0.8 , 0.9 , 1

44
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a strong negative correlation?

A

-0.7 , -0.8 , -0.9 , -1

45
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a moderate positive correlation?

A

0.4 , 0.5 , 0.6

46
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a moderate negative correlation?

A

-0.4 , -0.5 , -0.6

47
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a weak positive correlation?

A

0.1 , 0.2 , 0.3

48
Q

What standard deviation values indicate a weak negative correlation?

A

-0.1 , -0.2 , -0.3

49
Q

What standard deviation values indicate no correlation?

A

0

50
Q

Give 2 strengths of correlational research

A
  • Good as preliminary research. We can investigate if there is a link between variables before investigating them further experimentally
  • Useful for investigating variables that would be unethical or impractical to manipulate.
51
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of correlational research.

A
  • Impossible to establish cause and effect as a relationship is established, but it is unclear which variable causes the effect in the other
  • There may be a third variable which is affecting the variables, therefore making the results invalid
52
Q

What is the difference between interviews and questionnaires?

A

In interviews, the questions are asked verbally by an interviewer, whereas in questionnaires, questions are written down

53
Q

Give a strength and a weakness of the self report method

A

Strength:
Is a cheaper, easier method of obtaining data about people’s thoughts and behaviours

Weakness:
Results are often affected by social desirability bias, meaning results may be invalid.

54
Q

Give a strength and a weakness of Questionnaires

A

Strength:
* Easier and cheaper way to collect lots of data as easy to distribute
* Results are less likely to be affected by social desirability bias because there is nobody else present when the participant completes the questionnaire

Weakness:
There is no way for the participants to clarify questions that they don’t fully understand. Therefore, results may be less valid as participants may not have answered how the researcher intended

55
Q

Give a strength and a weakness of Interviews

A

Strength:
Participants can ask interviewer to clarify any questions they don’t understand. This means the results are likely to be more valid as participants are more likely to answer how the research intended
Weakness:
* Much more time consuming as each participants needs to be individually interviewed
* More likely to be affected by social desirability bias because the interviewer is present, so the participant may give untruthful answers in an attempt to make themself appear more socially desirable

56
Q

What are closed questions? Give a strength and a weakness

A

Questions which are answered by the participant choosing from a pre-determined set of answers.
+ Produces quantitative data, which is easy to analyse and compare across conditions
- Lacks detail and doesn’t allow researcher to gain an insight into the reasons for behaviour.

57
Q

What are open questions? Give a strength and a weakness

A

Questions that the participant can answer in any way they choose
+ Provides detail and insight into the reasons for behaviour
- Produces qualitative data, which is difficult to analyse and compare across conditions

58
Q

What is a Likert Scale?

A

Questions in which participants indicate on a scale how much they agree with a statement given

59
Q

What is a Semantic Differential Scale?

A

Questions in which the participants is given a statement, as well as a scale with two contrasting adjectives on the ends. They have to say where on the scale their opinion on the statement lies between the two adjectives.

60
Q

Name the 3 types of Interview and define each

A
  • Structured: Interviewers ask a predetermined list of questions in the same order and in the same way
  • Semi-structured: Interviewers ask a predetermined list of questions but they can deviate from the list and ask follow up questions
  • Unstructured: The topic of the interview is the only thing that is predetermined. The interviewer asks anything they believe will give them useful answers.
61
Q

Give a strength and a weakness of structured interviews

A

+ As the questions are standardised, the research will be more reliable as it can be easily replicated
- The interviewer can’t ask follow up questions, meaning they may not be able to gain a full understanding of the participant’s thoughts and feelings. Therefore, results may lack validity

62
Q

Give a strength and a weakness of unstructured interviews

A

+ As the interviewer is able to ask follow up questions, they can gain more valid data
- Low reliability as the interview can not be replicated as the questions are not standardised

63
Q

What is individual measures design? Give a strength and a weakness

A

Each participant only takes part in one of the conditions.
+ Order effects will not affect the results
- Differences between conditions may be due to participant variables

64
Q

What is repeated measures design? Give a strength and a weakness

A

Each participant takes place in all of the conditions
+ Participant variables will not affect the results
- Order effects may affect the results

65
Q

How can order effects be reduced?

A

Counterbalancing

66
Q

What is the matched pairs design? Give a strength and a weakness

A

Each participant takes part in one condition, however each participant is
matched according to certain characteristics with another participant in the
other condition.
+ The effect of order effects and participant variables are reduced
- Can be time consuming or difficult to match participants

67
Q

What is a laboratory experiment? Give a strength and a weakness

A

A laboratory experiment is an experiment carried out in a highly controlled environment, such as a laboratory.
+ Researchers can control for extraneous variables and ensure the procedure is
fully standardised and replicable, increasing reliability
- Results may lack ecological validity, as the artificial environment may cause unnatural behaviour from the participants

68
Q

What is a field experiment? Give a strength and a weakness

A

A field experiment is an experiment carried out the participants’ natural setting
+ Results are likely to be high in ecological validity as participants’ behaviour will be more natural
- Researchers have little control over extraneous variables, therefore decreasing reliability

69
Q

What is a quasi experiment? Give a strength and a weakness

A

A quasi experiment is an experiment in which the IV is not directly manipulated by the researcher
+ Useful for conducting research into naturally occurring variables or variables that would be unethical or impractical to manipulate
- Low reliability as the researcher has no control over the IV

70
Q

What are the 4 principles of the BPS code of ethics?

A

Respect, competence, responsibility, integrity

71
Q

Which ethical guidelines form part of the ‘Respect’ principle of the BPS code?

A

Informed consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality

72
Q

Which ethical guidelines form part of the ‘Responsibility’ principle of the BPS code

A

Protection from Physical and Psychological harm, Debrief

73
Q

Which ethical guideline forms part of the ‘Integrity’ principle of the BPS code

A

Deception

Biology and Psychology (8 decks)

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