Research Methods Flashcards
What is a naturalistic observation?
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.
What are the strengths of using a naturalistic observation?
- Useful tool in preliminary research
- No demand characteristics
- High ecological validity as avoids change in behaviour
What are the limitations of using a naturalistic observation?
- 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.
What are the ethical issues with naturalistic observation?
- Consent must be given in non-public places such as schools and hospitals
- Confidentiality and identity protection must also be respected
What is a controlled observation?
Usually takes place in a laboratory where experimenter can manipulate IV and DV.
Examples include Bobo Doll and strange situation
What is an covert observation?
The participants do not know they are being observed.
What are the strengths of covert observations?
- More natural behaviour can be observed
- Less chance of demand characteristics
What are the weaknesses of covert observations?
- Ethical issues need to be considered (consent)
What is an overt observation?
The participants are aware they are being observed
What are the strengths of overt observation?
- Less ethical issues
What are the limitations of overt observations?
- Increases demand characteristics
- Reduces validity
What is participant observation?
Where the researcher observes while part of the group - the group is unaware of researchers identity and purpose
What is non-participant observation?
Where the researcher does not get involved and is dissociated from the behaviour of those who are observed.
What is qualitative data?
Collected in real-life settings and is based on peoples subjective opinions.
Involves direct interaction with participants.
Collected through interviews.
What are the strengths of qualitative data?
- Rich source of information
- Offers a deeper insight into what is being studies
What are the limitations of qualitative data?
- Time consuming
- Expensive
- Smaller sample size
What is quantitative data?
Numerical data that can be statistically analysed.
Collected through administration by researcher, telephone,post, email.
What are the strengths of quantitative data?
- Relationship between IV and DV can be studies in detail
- Can be used to test hypothesis and backed by by statistical data
What are the limitations of quantitative data?
- Context of study is ignored
- Thoughts and feelings are not considered
- Large sample is required to ensure accurate results
What is primary data?
Primary data is collected by the researcher using the experimental method, interview case studies and questionaires
What is secondary data?
Secondary data comes from existing sources such as previous research, government reports and web information
What is meta-analysis?
Meta-analysis is a form of secondary data
It aims to find patterns, agreements,disagreements or reveal an relationship.
Example: strange situation
What is a self-report?
Where participants are asked something about themselves/attitudes/beliefs.
This is in the form of interviews and questionaires
What are the limitations with self-reporting?
- 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
What is a correlation coefficient?
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.
What are the strengths of a correlation?
- It is possible to make a predictions about one variable from the other
- Useful tool when variables cannot be manipulated
What are the weaknesses of a correlation?
- Impossible to establish cause and effect
- interpretation of results may be difficult
- A third unknown variable may be involved
What is the difference between correlations and experiments?
- 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.
What is BPS?
Aims to protect research participants, the reputation of psychology and psychologists themselves.
What the four principles of the BPS?
Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity
