Research Methods

Question 1

Ethical issues

Answer 1

Protection from harm
Informed consent
Right to withdraw
Debriefing
Deception
Confidentiality

Question 2

Experimental design

Answer 2

Lab
Field
Natural
Quasi

Question 3

Experimental design

Answer 3

Independent groups
Matched pairs
Random

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

Question 5

Directional Hypothesis

Answer 5

States the direction of the difference or relationship.

Question 6

Non-directional hypothesis

Answer 6

Doesn’t state the direction.

Question 7

Variables

Answer 7

Any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation. Variables are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another.

Question 8

Independant variable (IV)

Answer 8

Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally, so the effect on the DV can be measured.

Question 9

Pilot studies

Answer 9

A small scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted.

It checks that procedures, materials, measuring scales etc. work and to allow the researcher to make necessary changes or modifications.

Question 10

Single-blind procedure

Answer 10

The participants don’t know the aim of the research at the beginning of the study, or which condition they are in.

Question 11

Double-blind procedure

Answer 11

Neither the participants nor the person conducting the study is aware of the aim of the investigation.

Often used in drug trials.

Question 12

Control groups and conditions

Answer 12

In the example of drug trials, the group that receives the REAL DRUG is the EXPERIMENTAL GROUP/CONDITION and the group that receives the PLACEBO is called the CONTROL GROUP/CONDITION.

Control is used in many experimental studies for the purpose of comparison.

Question 13

Random sampling

Answer 13

All members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected.
Complete a list of all the members of the target population is obtained and each name gets given a number, then they’re generated through a computer-based randomiser or picking numbers from a hat.

Free from researcher bias - the researcher has no influence over who is selected and this prevents them from choosing people who they think will support their hypothesis.

Difficult and time consuming - A complete list of the target population may be difficult to obtain. May end up with a sample that is unrepresentative.

Question 14

Systematic sampling

Answer 14

Every nth member of the target population is selected e.g every 5th pupil on a school register.

Avoids researcher bias - once the system for selection has been established the researcher has no influence over who is chosen.

Fairly representative e.g. it would be highly unlikely to get an all male sample.

Question 15

Stratified sampling

Answer 15

A sophisticated way of sampling in which the composition of the sample reflects the proportions of people in certain sub-groups (strata) within the target population or the wider population.

Avoids researcher bias - once the target population has been sub-divided into strata, the participants that make up the numbers are randomly selected and beyond the influence of the researcher.

Produces a representative sample - designed to accurately reflect the composition of the population. This means you can generalise findings.

Question 16

Opportunity sampling

Answer 16

When you select anyone who is willing and available to take part. The researcher asks anyone near them if they want to be part of the experiment.

Convenient - saves the researcher time and effort and its much less costly in terms of time and money more than random sampling for example.

Unrepresentative of the target population - drawn from a very specific area so findings can’t be generalised.

Researcher bias - The researcher has complete control over the selection of participants and may avoid the people they don’t like the look of.

Question 17

Volunteer sampling

Answer 17

Participants select themselves to be part of the sample, also referred to as self-selection.
The researcher may place an advertisement in the newspaper or on a common room notice board.

Easy - requires minimal input from the researcher (“they come to you”) and so is less time consuming than other forms of sampling.

Volunteer bias - Asking for volunteers may attract a certain ‘profile’ of person, which may mean their findings can’t be generalised.

Question 18

Lab experiment

Answer 18

Strengths
-Can control extraneous variables - the effect on the DV is definitely caused by the IV.

-Can be more certain about demonstrating cause and effect (High external validity)

Limitations

• Lacks generalisability - artificial, not like every day life. (Low external validity)
• Demand characteristics
• Low mundane realism

Question 19

Field experiment

Answer 19

Strengths
Higher mundane realism than lab as its more natural. May produce behaviour that is more valid. (High external validity)

Limitations
-Loss of control of extraneous variables. Cause and effect between IV and DV in field studies.

-Ethical issues - Can’t consent, invasion of privacy.

Question 20

Natural experiment

Answer 20

Strengths
- Provide opportunities for research that may not otherwise be undertaken for practical or ethical reasons.

-High external validity - involves the study of real-life issues and problems as they happen.

Limitations
-Naturally occurring thing might not happen regularly, reducing the opportunities for research. This may also limit the scope for generalising findings to similar situations.

-Can’t randomly allocate participants to conditions and therefore there may be confounding variables.

Question 21

Quasi experiment

Answer 21

Strengths
-Often carried out under controlled conditions and therefore share the strengths of a lab experiment.

• Can control extraneous variables - the effect on the DV is definitely caused by the IV.
• Can be more certain about demonstrating cause and effect (High external validity)

Limitations
-Can’t randomly allocate participants to conditions and therefore there may be confounding variables.