Research Methods

Question 1

Observational Research

Answer 1

Watching behaviour, can be overt (aware) or covert (unaware)

Question 2

Advantages of observational research

Answer 2

Covert and natural - valid data
Easily analysed
New areas of research

Question 3

Disadvantages of observational research

Answer 3

Overt lacks ecological validity
Covert brings up ethical concerns
Observer bias

Question 4

Case study

Answer 4

Detailed, in-depth examinatino of single person, group, organisation or event.
Often used in clinical/biological studies

Question 5

Advantages of case studies

Answer 5

Rich and detailed data
Ethically acceptable
Sometimes proves all that is possible

Question 6

Disadvantages of case studies

Answer 6

Small sample size - can’t generalise
Researcher bias
Difficult to summarise and report

Question 7

Correlational studies

Answer 7

Describing relationships between two variables, which are not maniuplated but observed in natural environment.
Serve as starting point for theories and experimental research

Question 8

Advantages of correlational studies

Answer 8

Can measure direction and strength of relationships
Resulst have higher ecological validity

Question 9

Disadvantages of correlational studies

Answer 9

Extraneous variables may have a high impact
Cannot establish causation

Question 10

Cross-sectional studies

Answer 10

Correlational study that examines groups of people at different ages at same point in time

Question 11

Advantages of cross-sectional studies

Answer 11

Saves money and effort
Can examine multiple variables at once

Question 12

Disadvantages of cross-sectional studies

Answer 12

Doesn’t study change over time
Doesn’t determine underlying cause
Cohort effects: effect of being born in particular historical context

Question 13

Longitudinal study

Answer 13

Correlational study that follows development of individual across their lifetime

Question 14

Advantages of longitudinal study

Answer 14

Clear sequence of events
Establish change over time

Question 15

Disadvantages of longitudinal study

Answer 15

Expensive and difficult
Can become “test wise”
High attrition (drop-out rate)
Long time until meaningful results are obtained

Question 16

Protection from harm

Answer 16

Protected form physical and/or psychological harm

Question 17

Informed consent

Answer 17

Sound knowledge of purpose, potential benefits/risk and requirements of research

Question 18

Deception

Answer 18

Not informing on true purpose of research. Only used when there’s no alternative. Must have debriefing - true purpose of study and why deception was used

Question 19

Voluntary Participation

Answer 19

Take part in research without being pressured or coerced

Question 20

Right to Withdraw

Answer 20

Must be allowed at any stage for any reason with no negative consequences

Question 21

Confidentiality

Answer 21

Mainting privacy of information disclosed in professional relationship. Applies to non-disclosure, stroage, disposal and reporting.

Question 22

Privacy

Answer 22

Only collecting relevant information and maintaining confidentiality

Question 23

Anonymity

Answer 23

Right to be unidentifiable.

Question 24

Confounding Variable

Answer 24

Factors other than IV which vary with DV suggesting spurious correlation.

Question 25

Three types of confounding variables

Answer 25

• Participant
• Environment
• Researcher (experimenter effects and demand characteristics)

Question 26

Extraneous Variables

Answer 26

Variable other than IV which could effect the DV

Question 27

3 ways to minimise effects of extraneous variables

Answer 27

Random allocation
Single blind procedures
Standardization

Question 28

Identify the four sampling types

Answer 28

Convenience, random, stratified, snowball