Research Methods 5 Flashcards
What ‘s quantative data
- Concerned with the quantity, represented in numerical form
- quantative data collection techniques involve experiments, observations using behavioural categories and correlation
What is the experimental method?
The experimental method aims to determine cause and effect through the manipulation of variables.
What is a laboratory experiment?
A laboratory experiment takes place in a carefully controlled environment. The IV is manipulated by the experimenter.
Example: Milgram’s research into obedience.
Advantage of a laboratory experiment?
Easier to control all variables, allowing determination of whether the IV affects the DV.
Disadvantage of a laboratory experiment?
Lacks ecological validity, meaning findings cannot be generalized to the real world.
What is a field experiment?
A field experiment takes place in the real world, with the IV manipulated by the experimenter.
Example: Bickman’s research.
Advantage of a field experiment?
Has ecological validity, allowing findings to be generalized to the real world.
Disadvantage of a field experiment?
Lack of control of variables, which may affect the dependent variable.
What is a natural experiment?
In a natural experiment, the IV is naturally occurring and not manipulated by the researcher.
Advantage of a natural experiment?
Allows study of areas where IV manipulation is not possible for practical or ethical reasons.
Example: Institutionalized Romanian orphans.
Disadvantage of a natural experiment?
Lack of control of variables, increasing the likelihood of confounding variables affecting results.
What is a quasiexperiment?
A quasiexperiment involves an IV that already exists, such as age or gender, and is not manipulated.
Advantage of a quasiexperiment?
Allows study of areas where IV manipulation is not possible for practical or ethical reasons.
Disadvantage of a quasiexperiment?
Researcher cannot randomly allocate participants, leading to potential confounding variables.
What is a self-report technique?
A self-report technique involves participants explaining their own beliefs, opinions, or attitudes.
What is a questionnaire?
A questionnaire is a set of written questions to which participants record their own answers.
Advantage of a questionnaire?
Participants can answer without the researcher present, reducing experimenter bias.
Disadvantage of a questionnaire?
If wording is unclear, participants may misunderstand questions, leading to inaccurate answers.
What is an interview?
An interview is conducted face to face, with participants answering questions verbally.
Advantage of an interview?
Allows clarification of questions, ensuring participants understand what is being asked.
Disadvantage of an interview?
Participants may present themselves favorably due to social desirability, leading to untruthful responses.
What is a structured interview?
Structured interviews involve predetermined questions asked in a fixed order.
Advantage of a structured interview?
Easy to replicate as each participant receives the same questions, enhancing reliability.
Disadvantage of a structured interview?
May lack validity as the researcher cannot vary questions for more information.
What is an unstructured interview?
Unstructured interviews resemble a conversation with no set questions.
Advantage of an unstructured interview?
Can gain validity as the researcher can vary questions for deeper insight.
Disadvantage of an unstructured interview?
Questions won’t be replicated, leading to lower reliability.
What are correlations?
Correlations refer to a method of research investigating the relationship between two variables, called co-variables.
What are co-variables?
Co-variables are the two variables being investigated in a correlation.
Advantage of correlations?
An ethical way of collecting data as there is no manipulation of variables.
Disadvantage of correlations?
Cannot infer cause and effect, as it’s unclear if one variable causes a change in the other.
What are co-variables?
Co-variables are the variables investigated in a correlation. They are not referred to as independent and dependent variables because the study is investigating the relationship between them, not trying to show a cause and effect relationship.
What is the difference between correlations and experiments?
In experiments, the researcher controls or manipulates the independent variable and cause and effect can be established. In correlations, the variables are neither controlled nor manipulated, so cause and effect cannot be established.
What are observations?
Observational techniques involve watching and recording behaviour, e.g., watching how children play.
What is a naturalistic observation?
A naturalistic observation involves watching and recording behaviour in a real world situation.
An advantage is that it is likely to have low demand characteristics; a disadvantage is that there is a lack of control over extraneous variables.
What is a controlled observation?
In a controlled observation, the participants’ environment is structured.
An advantage is that there are high levels of control over extraneous variables; a disadvantage is that there is less ecological validity.
What is a covert observation?
In covert observation, participants don’t know and haven’t given their consent for their behaviour to be watched.
An advantage is that the validity of the data is increased; a disadvantage is that it is unethical.
What is an overt observation?
In overt observation, participants do know and have given their consent for their behaviour to be watched.
An advantage is that it is ethical; a disadvantage is that the validity of the data is decreased due to the Hawthorne effect.
What is participant observation?
Participant observation involves the researcher becoming a member of the group they are watching.
An advantage is that it may increase validity; a disadvantage is that the researcher may lose objectivity.
What is non-participant observation?
In non-participant observation, the researcher does not become a member of the group they are watching.
An advantage is that the researcher may remain objective; a disadvantage is that it may decrease validity.
What is a case study?
A case study is a detailed study about an individual or group of people and is either longitudinal or retrospective.
An advantage is that it provides lots of detail; a disadvantage is that it is difficult to replicate.
What is content analysis?
Content analysis is a technique for analysing qualitative data of various kinds, allowing data to be placed into categories and counted or analysed in themes.
A strength is that it is easy to perform; a weakness is that it is descriptive and may not show underlying reasons for behaviour.
What is thematic analysis?
Thematic analysis involves assessing data to identify patterns within it, following six stages from familiarisation with the data to writing up.
A strength is that it provides insights into themes; a weakness is that it may be subjective.
