Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Paper 1- Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

what is sampling

A
  • the process of selecting participants from the target population to take part in research
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is the target population

A

who you want to do the research on

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

why should samples be as representative of the target population as possible

A

the study will try to be generalised back to the target population so participants samples should be as representative as possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

why should sample size be sufficient size

A

to eliminate the impact of any anomalies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is random sampling

A

when every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
- so they are chosen entirely by chance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is an example of random sampling

A
  • putting names into a hat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is an advantage of random sampling

A
  • in large numbers, provides the best chance of an unbiased sample of a target population as everyone has equal chance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is the disadvantage of random sampling

A
  • the sample may not be representative of target population as pp may not be matched for ability, gender, background etc. increasing the chance of anomalies
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are the 4 types of sampling

A
  • random sampling
  • stratified sampling
  • systematic sampling
  • opportunity sampling
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is stratified sampling

A
  • when the target population is broken down into subcategories that represent the target population, then pp are selected in the proportion they occur in target population
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

if a target population of year 12 student consisted of 75% female and 25% male what would the sample of 20 be (stratified sampling)

A

15 female
5 male

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the advantage of stratified sampling

A
  • this is a representative sampling method as everyone in the target population would be represented in the pp being sampled
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is the disadvantage of stratified sampling

A
  • can be time consuming because the subcategories have to be identified and their proportions calculated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is systematic sampling

A
  • when a consistent system is in place for who is selected
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is an example of systematic sampling

A

eg every 4th person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is a problem with systematic sampling

A
  • it does not give an equal chance of selection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what is an advantage of systematic sampling

A
  • assuming the list order has been randomised, this method offers an unbiased chance of gaining a representative sample
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the disadvantage of systematic sampling

A
  • if list is not randomised or a narrow selection of target population, then unrepresentativeness may be present
    eg every 4th person was male
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is opportunity sampling

A
  • involves selecting pp that are around and available at the time of the study
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what is an example of opportunity sampling

A
  • first 20 students at school
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what is an advantage of opportunity sampling

A
  • quick, convenient and often the most economical method- therefore quite common
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is a disadvantage of opportunity sampling

A
  • likely to find an unrepresentative sample if only sampling at a particular time or in a particular place
    e.g first 20 students not likely to represent students who live far away
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are the strengths of using a correlation

A
  • initial relationship can be discovered which might not have been realised prior because a flexible design like correlations can lead to new variable relationships
  • the same people are providing both sets of data so it is repeated measures, so data will nit be affected by individual differences therefore results are not affected by participants variables
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what are the weaknesses of using correlations

A
  • correlational designs only indicate a relationship between 2 variables there is no cause and effect identifies as there is no IV or DV
  • the measures might not provide valid data- time in therapy is a clear measure but the benefit of therapy are not easy to quantify
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

what is a correlation coefficient

A

a measure of the strengths of correlation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what is the spearman test

A

-1 0 +1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what correlation is +1, -1 and 0

A

+1 is strongest positive correlation
-1 is strongest, negative correlation
0 is typically no relationship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what does casual relationship mean in term of correlation

A
  • researches using this does not establish a cause and effect relationship
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what happens in a positive correlation

A
  • one variable increases as the other variable increases
    eg time spent studying increase exam marks
30
Q

what is a negative correlation

A
  • one variable increases as the other decreases
    eg. more time watching tv decrease exam marks
31
Q

what does the correlation show if there is no relationship

A
  • correlation may state there is no meaningful correlation between variables- it is not linear
32
Q

are a negative and positive correlation linear

A

yes

33
Q

what does a non linear relationship show(correlation)

A

a correlation that reaches a point, then changes direction
- can be dipped or peaked curves
x
x x
x x

34
Q

what is a correlation

A

a measure of the relationship between 2 variables

35
Q

what will the hypothesis of correlations be

A

will be about the relationship between 2 variables

36
Q

what does a scatter diagram show

A

will show whether a correlation is positive or negative or neither

37
Q

how is a scatter graph generated

A

2 scores from each participant or variable generates a point on a graph

38
Q

what can be drawn on a scatter graph

A

a line of best fit- if there is a relationship, close to as many points as possible

39
Q

where are anomalies located on a scatter graph

A

are points furthest away from the line of best fit

40
Q

what does it mean if it is not clear where the line should go

A

there is no relationship

41
Q

what is quantitive data

A

numerical data

42
Q

what is an example of quantitive data

A

time or words recalled

43
Q

what is good about using quantitive data

A
  • provides info that is easy to analyse statistically and is reliable
44
Q

why is quanitive data criticised

A
  • associated with the scientific and experimental approach and criticised for not providing in depth description
45
Q

what are the strengths of quantitive data

A
  • scientific objectivity- can be interpreted with statistical analyse and because it is based on maths it is viewed as scientifically objective and rational
  • reliability- based on controlled, structured and replicable research procedures so the result of studies can be tested for accuracy through repeating the investigation
46
Q

what are the weaknesses of quantitive data

A
  • validity- does not usually take place in natural settings, so they are limited when considering real life behaviour
  • meanings- data driven research does not allow pp to explain the choice behind their behaviour in a study, so detail and human behaviour are lost
47
Q

what is qualitative data

A
  • generate data that describes meaning and experiences (word)
48
Q

how does a qualitive method study behaviour

A
  • in a natural setting
49
Q

what are the strengths of qualitative method

A
  • validity, results give researchers a richer understanding and an insiders view of reasons for behaviour- allows researcher to find issues that are often missed from quantitive data
  • representative, is representative of the real life context that human behaviour takes place in realistic view
50
Q

what are the weaknesses of qualitive methods

A
  • subjective, way in which research takes place means the data is often subjective and can be open to biased interpretation of meaning
  • reliability, context, situations, events and conditions that many qualitative methods documents cannot be replicated to real extent- results cannot be retested for accuracy, generalises to a wider context are weak as its a small sample
51
Q

what are the 3 experimental designs

A
  • matched pairs design
  • independent measures design
  • repeated measures design
52
Q

what is an experimental design

A

concerns the way that pp are allocated to conditions in a research study

53
Q

what is an independent measures deign

A
  • if 2 groups in an experiment consist of different individuals
    eg if we are trying to discover whether girls are less aggressive than boys- then we will have 2 groups, boys and girls
54
Q

what are the strengths of an independent measures design

A
  • no demand characteristics so pp cant compare different conditions of study and are unlikely to guess aim
  • order effects like practice, fatigue and boredom are avoided as pp only do one condition in the study
  • same test can be used for both groups with only IV manipulated so can be good way to test differences
55
Q

what are the weaknesses of independent measures design

A
  • pp variables differ, which could become confounding variables
  • statistical test can be less reliable- there is more variation between 2 conditions
  • you have to find twice as many people- could be time consuming and uneconomical
56
Q

what is a matched pairs design

A
  • match every subject in one group with a very similar person in the other group
57
Q

what are the strengths of matched pairs design

A
  • pp variables like IQ, education and culture etc are controlled because people are paired on similar traits
  • order effects are avoided- pp take part in only one condition
  • demand characteristics are less of a problem because pp only take part in 1 condition and are not gonna guess the aim
58
Q

what are the weaknesses of matched pairs design

A
  • pp variables can never be perfectly matched so cannot completely control this
  • matching pp is time consuming and not always effective-close matches can be hard to find
  • if 1 person drops out, then whole pair ahs to be dropped from data-can be expensive if have to be replaced
59
Q

what is a repeated measures design

A
  • when the researcher uses the same pp in each conditions-test pp two or more times
60
Q

what are the strengths of a repeated measures design

A
  • pp variables do not differ between conditions as the pp are the same people
  • statistical test can be more reliable-there is limited variation between 2 conditions
  • you only need 1 group of pp so it is not time consuming and is economical
61
Q

what are the weaknesses of a repeated measures design

A
  • demand characteristics, pp can compare the different conditions of the study and more likely to guess the aim
  • order effects like practice, fatigue and boredom can occur-pp do 2 or more conditions in the study
62
Q

what is the mode

A

the most common
1,1,1,2,2,3= 1

63
Q

what is the mean

A

add up all numbers/ how many numbers
1,1,2,3= 1+1+2+3/4= 7/4

64
Q

what is the median

A

middle number
1,2,3,5,6= 3
1,2,3,5,6,7= 4

65
Q

what is the range

A

biggest value- smallest value

66
Q

what is a case study

A
  • involves studying an individual or small group, usually over a long period of time
67
Q

what data does case studies mainly involve

A
  • qualitative data from interviews- gives richness and detail
68
Q

what is often studied in case studies

A
  • unique circumstances
    eg a brin damage study can provide knowledge about what a particular part of brain does
69
Q

how can case studies gather data

A

use different ways- eg questionnaires, experiments, interviews

70
Q

how long do case studies take

A

usually longitudinal- take place over a longer period of time
- so researcher can see how behaviour changes over months

71
Q

what are the strengths of case studies

A
  • capable of providing interesting and rich, detailed data about people giving them strong validity - hard to use detail using other research methods
  • can look at rare situations which are difficult to find, a case study is a way of gathering lots of info about a rare occurrence
  • researchers spend a lot of time with pp, so a relationship may occur so should recognise when being to intrusive, often use initials of pp so improves confidentiality
  • triangulation means researchers can combine methods(interviews etc) to gather valid, qualitive data
72
Q

what are the weaknesses of case studies

A
  • might cause bias as researchers are spending lots of time with pp so cause bias in what data is recorded- possible subjectivity in the data
  • focus on only one or few people means its difficult to generalise the findings as not representative of target population therefore lack reliability as effect of any anomalies on data cannot be limited by sample size
  • case study involves lots of retrospective data, pp may have to remember events from their past- memory errors may influence what they say

Paper 1- Psychology (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions