Research Methods

Question 1

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

Is where a researchers watch peoples behaviour in normal settings .
Requires the recording of events and behaviour.
There is no manipulation of the IV and DV.
Example: watching different types of games boys and girls play in a playground.

Question 2

What are the strengths of using a naturalistic observation?

Answer 2

• Useful tool in preliminary research
• No demand characteristics
• High ecological validity as avoids change in behaviour

Question 3

What are the limitations of using a naturalistic observation?

Answer 3

• Lack of control
• High risk of confounding variables
• Replication can be difficult due to differences in natural settings
• Potential bias from observer through misinterpretation or expectation.

Question 4

What are the ethical issues with naturalistic observation?

Answer 4

• Consent must be given in non-public places such as schools and hospitals
• Confidentiality and identity protection must also be respected

Question 5

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 5

Usually takes place in a laboratory where experimenter can manipulate IV and DV.
Examples include Bobo Doll and strange situation

Question 6

What is an covert observation?

Answer 6

The participants do not know they are being observed.

Question 7

What are the strengths of covert observations?

Answer 7

• More natural behaviour can be observed

- Less chance of demand characteristics

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of covert observations?

Answer 8

• Ethical issues need to be considered (consent)

Question 9

What is an overt observation?

Answer 9

The participants are aware they are being observed

Question 10

What are the strengths of overt observation?

Answer 10

• Less ethical issues

Question 11

What are the limitations of overt observations?

Answer 11

• Increases demand characteristics

- Reduces validity

Question 12

What is participant observation?

Answer 12

Where the researcher observes while part of the group - the group is unaware of researchers identity and purpose

Question 13

What is non-participant observation?

Answer 13

Where the researcher does not get involved and is dissociated from the behaviour of those who are observed.

Question 14

What is qualitative data?

Answer 14

Collected in real-life settings and is based on peoples subjective opinions.
Involves direct interaction with participants.
Collected through interviews.

Question 15

What are the strengths of qualitative data?

Answer 15

• Rich source of information

- Offers a deeper insight into what is being studies

Question 16

What are the limitations of qualitative data?

Answer 16

• Time consuming
• Expensive
• Smaller sample size

Question 17

What is quantitative data?

Answer 17

Numerical data that can be statistically analysed.

Collected through administration by researcher, telephone,post, email.

Question 18

What are the strengths of quantitative data?

Answer 18

• Relationship between IV and DV can be studies in detail

- Can be used to test hypothesis and backed by by statistical data

Question 19

What are the limitations of quantitative data?

Answer 19

• Context of study is ignored
• Thoughts and feelings are not considered
• Large sample is required to ensure accurate results

Question 20

What is primary data?

Answer 20

Primary data is collected by the researcher using the experimental method, interview case studies and questionaires

Question 21

What is secondary data?

Answer 21

Secondary data comes from existing sources such as previous research, government reports and web information

Question 22

What is meta-analysis?

Answer 22

Meta-analysis is a form of secondary data
It aims to find patterns, agreements,disagreements or reveal an relationship.
Example: strange situation

Question 23

What is a self-report?

Answer 23

Where participants are asked something about themselves/attitudes/beliefs.

This is in the form of interviews and questionaires

Question 24

What are the limitations with self-reporting?

Answer 24

• it is essential not to ask leading questions
• there are self-limits to a person’s knowledge about themselves
• people do not know what influences their behaviour
• participants are can be influenced by personality or appearance of interviewer

Question 25

What is a correlation coefficient?

Answer 25

A number that expresses the degree to which two sets of data are related.

It will have a value between +1 (positive) and -1 (negative).

When correlation coefficient is 0, there is no linear correlation at all.

Question 26

What are the strengths of a correlation?

Answer 26

• It is possible to make a predictions about one variable from the other
• Useful tool when variables cannot be manipulated

Question 27

What are the weaknesses of a correlation?

Answer 27

• Impossible to establish cause and effect
• interpretation of results may be difficult
• A third unknown variable may be involved

Question 28

What is the difference between correlations and experiments?

Answer 28

• Correlations are considered a statistical technique, meaning it is a method of study.
• Correlations do not confer cause and effect
• Only studies that manipulate the IV can be called experiments.

Question 29

What is BPS?

Answer 29

Aims to protect research participants, the reputation of psychology and psychologists themselves.

Question 30

What the four principles of the BPS?

Answer 30

Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity