Research Methods Flashcards
What are the key research methods used in psychology?
- Experiments (Laboratory, Field, Natural, Quasi)
- Observations (Controlled, Naturalistic, Participant, Non-Participant)
- Self-Reports (Questionnaires, Interviews)
- Case Studies
- Correlational Research
Experimental Methods
What are the four types of experiments?
- Laboratory Experiment – Controlled setting, high internal validity.
- Field Experiment – Real-world setting, less control over variables.
- Natural Experiment – IV is naturally occurring, no control over allocation.
- Quasi-Experiment – IV is based on an existing characteristic (e.g., age, gender).
Experimental Methods
What are the strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments?
Strengths: High control, replicable, cause-and-effect relationships.
Weaknesses: Low ecological validity, risk of demand characteristics.
Experimental Methods
What are demand characteristics?
When participants change their behavior based on what they think the study is about.
Experimental Methods
What are extraneous and confounding variables?
• Extraneous Variables: Uncontrolled factors that may affect results (e.g., background noise).
• Confounding Variables: Variables that systematically vary with the IV, affecting the DV.
Observations
What are the different types of observations?
- Controlled Observation – Some variables are controlled.
- Naturalistic Observation – No interference, high ecological validity.
- Participant Observation – Researcher joins in.
- Non-Participant Observation – Researcher watches from a distance.
Observations
What are the strengths and weaknesses of observations?
Strengths: High ecological validity, real-life behaviors.
Weaknesses: Observer bias, lack of control, ethical issues (in covert observations).
Self-Report Methods
What are the two types of self-report methods?
- Questionnaires – Pre-set written questions.
- Interviews – Face-to-face or online questioning.
Self-Report Methods
What are the strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires?
Strengths: Can reach many people, quick and cheap, data is easy to analyze.
Weaknesses: Social desirability bias, misinterpretation of questions.
Self-Report Methods
What are the strengths and weaknesses of interviews?
Structured Interviews: Reliable but may limit depth.
Unstructured Interviews: More detail but harder to analyze.
Semi-Structured Interviews: A balance of both.
Case Studies
What is a case study?
An in-depth investigation of an individual or small group over time.
Case Studies
What are the strengths and weaknesses of case studies?
Strengths: Rich, detailed data, useful for rare cases.
Weaknesses: Hard to generalize, researcher bias.
Correlational Research
What does a correlation measure?
The relationship between two variables (but not causation).
Correlational Research
What are the types of correlation?
- Positive Correlation – Both variables increase together.
- Negative Correlation – One variable increases while the other decreases.
- Zero Correlation – No relationship between variables.
Correlational Research
What are the strengths and weaknesses of correlations?
Strengths: Can analyze relationships between variables.
Weaknesses: Does not prove causation.
Sampling Methods
What are the different types of sampling methods?
- Random Sampling – Equal chance of selection, but can be unrepresentative.
- Opportunity Sampling – Quick and easy, but biased.
- Volunteer Sampling – Participants sign up, but may be biased.
- Systematic Sampling – Every nth person is chosen, reduces bias.
- Stratified Sampling – Proportional representation of subgroups.
Experimental Design
What are the three types of experimental design?
- Independent Groups Design – Different participants in each condition.
- Repeated Measures Design – Same participants in all conditions.
- Matched Pairs Design – Participants matched on key characteristics.
Experimental Design
What are the strengths and weaknesses of each design?
• Independent Groups: No order effects, but participant variables may affect results.
• Repeated Measures: No participant variables, but order effects can occur.
• Matched Pairs: Controls participant variables, but difficult to match participants.
Ethics in Research
What are the key ethical guidelines in psychology?
- Informed Consent – Participants must agree to take part.
- Right to Withdraw – Participants can leave at any time.
- Confidentiality – Personal details must be protected.
- Protection from Harm – No psychological or physical harm should occur.
- Debriefing – Participants must be told the true aim of the study.
- Deception – Only allowed if necessary and justified.
Ethics in Research
What is the role of the BPS (British Psychological Society)?
It sets ethical guidelines for psychological research.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
What are the two types of data?
- Qualitative Data – Descriptive, non-numerical.
- Quantitative Data – Numerical, can be statistically analyzed.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
What are the different measures of central tendency?
- Mean – Average, but affected by outliers.
- Median – Middle value, not affected by extreme scores.
- Mode – Most frequent value, but not always useful.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
What are the measures of dispersion?
- Range – Difference between highest and lowest value.
- Standard Deviation – Measures how spread out scores are.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
What are the types of statistical tests in psychology?
- Chi-Square Test – For nominal data and independent groups.
- Mann-Whitney U Test – For ordinal data and independent groups.
- Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test – For ordinal data and repeated measures.
- Spearman’s Rank Correlation – For relationships between two variables.
