research methods Flashcards
why do we use animals in research
to understand how our body functions and the diseases that affect us
what are the three Rs
refinement
reduction
replacement
what does refinement mean
finding ways of making animals lives better in labs
what does reduction mean
using as few animals as possible
what does replacement mean
using non animal alternatives wherever they exist
what alternatives are there to using animals
cell cultures
must only not use animals if the other way is s effective
why do non human research
may be out right interested in animals
great control and objectivity
experiments that can’t be done on humans
what is moral justification
pain and self awareness
- Speciesism
SINGER argues it is equivalent to racism
GRAY says duty of care must be to humans
what are the existing constraints
- strict controls under the law
- animal act 1986
- must have a license
can only be done if it is justifiable:
results are important enough
no other way of getting results
animals are put under the least harm possible
minimum number of animals used
what are the animals ethical principles
- CARE OVER CAGING AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT must be suitable and licensed - AVOID DISTRESS - QUALIFIED RESEARCHERS - COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS - LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVES
what are the BPS guidelines
- legislation
- choice of species
- no. of animals
- procedures
- procurement of animals
- housing and care
- final disposal of animals
strengths of animals in labs
- GRAY argues that we have a responsibility to humans t o understand as much as we can
- SINGER so research should take place if it is for the greater good of the greater number
- we can generalise findings as we have similarities with animals
- more controls can be put in place
- cheaper
weaknesses of animals in labs
- speciesism
- may not be generalisable
animals practical evaluation
+ small and easy to handle
+ short gestation period
+ similar structure
+ strong controls
- hard to generalise
- humans are more complex
ethical evaluation
+ gray argues its important to help our own species
+ knowledge can benefit humans and animals
+ strong guidelines
- animals feel pain and become distressed
- have an obligation to treat animals properly
what is participant observation
observer is a member of the group and takes part in the activities of the group
strengths of participant observation
does not disrupt what is happening
easy to get access
weaknesses of participant observation
so involved that may not makes observations
hard to replicate
what is non participant observations
fully not part of what is happening. sit away not involved
strengths of non participant observation
concentrate on observations
recording data is easier
weaknesses of non participant observation
has to be nearby and will be noticeable
what are structured observations
fully planned in advance with a coding system and predetermined sections
strengths of structured obsrvations
more controlled
record more natural behaviour
weaknesses of structured observations
hard to interpret when procedures are not followed
what are naturalistic observations
take place in participants natural settings
strengths of naturalistic observations
high ecological validity
in depth data
weaknesses of naturalistic observations
subjective
what are overt observations
know that the observation is taking place and are aware
strengths of overt observations
ethical
informed consent
weaknesses of overt observations
may not act natural
difficult to carry out because even observes would be watched
what are covert observations
participants do not know that the observation is taking place
strengths of covert observations
reactions are natural
weaknesses of covert observations
unethical as no informed consent if not in public
goes against guidelines
what is content analysis
whats been analysed is referred to as an artefact
not observing people directly
eg magazines and newspapers
what coding system is used
breaks down info into categories
strengths of content analysis
high ecological validity as based on observations
artefacts already exist so no chance of demand characteristics
can be replicated as long as artefacts are publicly available
weaknesses of content analysis
observer bias - different interpretations
big culture bias as effected by language
cant draw cause and effect relationships
