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Psychology AS > RESEARCH METHODS > Flashcards

RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

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1
Q

definition of research question

A

question which describes what the psychologist wants to find out an answer to

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2
Q

definition of hypothesis

A

testable statement making a prediction about what will happen in the investigation

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3
Q

definition of research aims

A

general statement which describes what a psychologist intends to investgate

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4
Q

what is the independent variable

A

what you change/manipulate

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5
Q

what is the dependent variable

A

the thing you measure

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6
Q

what is the whole population

A

everyone in the world

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7
Q

what is the target population

A

anyone who matches the group which you want

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8
Q

what is the sample

A

the group you are working with

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9
Q

what is the sampling frame

A

list of people who they could research from

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10
Q

what is repeated/related measures

A

each participant is tested in all conditions of an experiment

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11
Q

what is independent groups design

A

tested in one condition of the experiement

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12
Q

what is matched pairs?

A

participants are matched to someone who is similar to them and they each complete one condition of the experiment.

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13
Q

what are experiments?

A

the process of manipulating an IV and measuring the DV while controlling all other variables

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14
Q

What is reliability?

A

when an experiment can be replicated and similar results obtained

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15
Q

what is validity?

A

validity is when results generated are an accurate reflection on how people behave

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16
Q

what are confiding variables?

A

something other than the IV which can affect the DV

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17
Q

what are participant variables?

A

those which occur when individuals characteristics of participants effect their behavior in an experiment for example.

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18
Q

what is experimental design?

A

shows the psychologists chosen how to see the participants when conducting an experiment.

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19
Q

what are laboratory experiments?

A

an experiment which is carried out in a controlled environment where the IV is manipulated and extraneous variables are controlled.

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20
Q

strengths of a laboratory experiment…

A
  • high level of control of extraneous variables
  • high degree of replicability
  • causes and effect relationships can be uncovered
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21
Q

limitations of a laboratory experiment…

A
  • reduced ecological validity
  • increased risk of investigator effects and demand characteristics
  • participants are often required to behave in ways that are artificial
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22
Q

what are field experiments?

A

an experiment that takes place outside a laboratory environment where the IV is manipulated and cause and effect relationships can be inferred

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23
Q

strengths of field experiments…

A
  • cause and effect relationships can be uncovered
  • higher level of ecological validity than a true laboratory experiment
  • reduction in demand characteristics
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24
Q

limitations of field experiments…

A
  • reduced control over extraneous variables
  • often more time consuming
  • ethical issues if participants do not know that they are experimented upon
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25
Q

what is a natural experiment?

A

an experiment where naturally occurring changes in independent variables are observed

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26
Q

what is a quasi-experiment?

A

an experiment where participants cannot be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups

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27
Q

strengths of natural and quasi experiments?

A
  • useful where it would be impractical or impossible to manipulate variables
  • high levels of ecological validity
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28
Q

limitations of natural and quasi experiments?

A
  • not always possible to clearly identify cause and effect relationships.
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29
Q

strengths of independent groups design…

A
  • no order effects
  • as both conditions can be tested simultaneously there is a potential saving of time and effort
  • as participants are involved in one condition only potential investigator effects and demand characteristics are reduced.
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30
Q

limitations of independent groups design…

A
  • participant variables may affect the results
  • participants from one group may differ from participants in another group
  • participants are only doing one condition
  • twice as many participants are needed for this design
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31
Q

strengths of matched pairs design…

A
  • good control of participant variables

- eliminates order effects

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32
Q

limitations of matched pairs design…

A

matching participants is very difficult

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33
Q

strengths of repeated measures design…

A
  • uses fewer participants
  • get two or more scores per participants saving time effort and money
  • participant variables are not a concern
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34
Q

limitations of repeated measures design…

A
  • there is a risk or order effects and because of the need to limit these, the design can be a complex one
  • the cost of a loss of participants is greater since data for both conditions is lost compared to one independent groups design
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35
Q

what is random sampling?

A

a sample in which all members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected to participate in research

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36
Q

strengths of random sampling…

A

as the researcher has no control over who is selected, investigator bias is avoided

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37
Q

limitations of random sampling…

A

possibility that the sample will not be representative thus limiting generalizability

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38
Q

systematic sampling…

A

where the population size is divided by the sample size to dictate which participants are selected for the sample- every nth name from the sampling frame

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39
Q

strengths of systematic sampling…

A

the only input the researcher has is deciding the sample size, therefore it avoids investigator bias.

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40
Q

limitations of systematic sampling…

A

still a chance that the sample will not be representative thus limiting generalizability

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41
Q

strengths of stratified sampling…

A

avoids investigator bias

representative so it can be generalised

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42
Q

limitations of stratified sampling…

A

if all key features of the population are not identified then the sample may not be representative.

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43
Q

what is stratified sampling?

A

aims to ensure that the key characteristics of the population are represented in the same proportion in the sample.

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44
Q

what is opportunity sampling?

A

a sample that consists of participants who were selected because of their availability

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45
Q

strengths of opportunity sampling…

A

less time consuming than other techniques

46
Q

limitations of opportunity sampling…

A

the researcher may consciously or subconsciously show bias in sample selection thus limiting generalizability

47
Q

what is volunteer sampling?

A

a sample where the participants self-selectq

48
Q

strengths of volunteer sampling…

A

less time consuming than other techniques

49
Q

limitations of volunteer sampling…

A

sample bias is likely as only certain types of people are motivated to do volunteer for research thus limiting generalizability.

50
Q

Ethical issues which need to be considered…

A

respect for the autonomy and dignity of person
scientific value
social responsibility
maximising benefit and minimising harm

51
Q

what is qualitative data?

A

data that is not numerical e.g quotes from research participants

52
Q

what is quantitative data?

A

data that is expressed in a numerical form

53
Q

strengths of qualitative data?

A
  • richer in detail than quantitative data

- can express the motivations and intent behind feelings and actions

54
Q

Limitations of qualitative data?

A
  • considered less reliable than quantitative data

- difficult to analyse objectively - two psychologists may look at the data and draw different conclusions

55
Q

strengths of quantitative data?

A
  • reliable
  • objective
  • useful when conducting experiments to count how many people do a particular thing
  • can be analysed statistically to reveal trends and correlations
56
Q

limitations of quantitative data?

A
  • cannot really be used to discuss feelings

- doesn’t have alot of rich detail/depth

57
Q

what are participant variables?

A

those which occur when individual characteristics of participants affect their behaviour in an experiment

58
Q

what are situational variables?

A

those which might affect the behaviour of the participants in an experiment but relate to the environment in which the experiment is taking place.

59
Q

what are experimental variables?

A

occur when the experimenter treats some participants different to others

60
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A

an observation that takes place in a highly controlled environment such as a laboratory

61
Q

what is a naturalistic observation?

A

observation which takes place in peoples natural environment without control over the variables

62
Q

what is a covert observation?

A

an observation which takes place without the knowledge or awareness of the participants

63
Q

what is an overt observation?

A

observation which takes place with the full knowledge and awareness of the participants

64
Q

what is a participant observation?

A

data is gathered by the psychologists whilst being part of the observed group or situation

65
Q

what is a non-participant observation?

A

data is gathered from a distance without the psychologist being involved in the observed group or situation

66
Q

strengths of a controlled observation…

A

high level of control

easier to establish cause and effect relationships

67
Q

limitations of a controlled observation…

A

the environment is artificial therefore you may not get natural behaviour

68
Q

strengths of a naturalistic observation…

A

high degree of natural behaviour which means findings can be generalised to everyday life

69
Q

limitations of a naturalistic observation…

A

no control of variables so difficult to establish cause and effect relationships

70
Q

strengths of a covert observation…

A

more valid results from participants because natural behaviour is being observed

71
Q

limitations of covert observation…

A

lack of informed consent means there are ethical issues

72
Q

strengths of overt observation…

A

ethically sound as participants know they are being observed and will have given consent

73
Q

limitations of overt observation…

A

participants may not behave naturally if they are aware of being observed

74
Q

strengths of participant observation…

A

greater insight into behaviour is gained by being part of the group
increased validity of the findings

75
Q

limitations of participant observation…

A

objectivity of observations are affected by being part of the group/situation

76
Q

strengths of non-participant observation…

A

lack of direct involvement ensures greater objectivity

77
Q

limitations of non-participant observation…

A

data lacks richness of that provided by participant observation

78
Q

what are self-report techniques?

A

a research method which requires the participant to report on themselves

79
Q

what the strengths of self-report techniques?

A

allows more detailed access to the participants thoughts and feelings
enables the psychologist to investigate what participants might think, feel or do in the future

80
Q

what are the limitations of self report techniques?

A

they rely on participants being honest

participants may feel the need to give socially desirable answers

81
Q

what is primary data?

A

data collected from first hand experience

82
Q

strengths of primary data…

A

data gathered is for the purpose of addressing the specific research hypothesis - this increases its validity

83
Q

limitations of primary data…

A

often time consuming and expensive

84
Q

what is secondary data?

A

data collected from an already published source

85
Q

strengths of secondary data…

A

readily available so quick and possibly inexpensive

86
Q

limitations of secondary data…

A

secondary so already undergone some interpretation so may have some inherent biases

87
Q

what is meta-analysis

A

a technique for combining the findings of independent studies often with smaller samples to create a larger sample

88
Q

strengths of meta-analysis

A

useful in situations where a topic has been extensively studied

89
Q

limitations of meta-analysis

A

reliant on the psychologist who did the research primarily doing a good job

90
Q

what is a questionnaire?

A

a self report method where RPS are presented with a set of pre-determined questions

91
Q

strengths of questionnaires…

A

can be cost effective and time effective because they can be quickly administered
they can provide honest data improving reliability

92
Q

limitations of questionnaires…

A

response rates can be poor when administered in absence of the researcher
difficult to generalise the findings
only certain people return them

93
Q

what are closed questions?

A

questions which allow participants to respond in certain ways

94
Q

strengths of closed questions…

A

provides control by requiring to answer in a certain way

require minimum effort to answer and analyse

95
Q

limitations of closed questions…

A

have to guess the range of answers
respondent may have an answer which is not there
lack engagement/longer questions cause fatigue

96
Q

what are open questions?

A

questions which the respondants are allowed to respond freely and without restriction

97
Q

strengths of open questions…

A

offers flexibility to the respondent

good way of accessing motivations and feelings

98
Q

limitations of open questions

A

provide qualitative data which is difficult to analyse

questions may not be answered in a helpful way

99
Q

what is an interview?

A

where participants answer questions face to face

100
Q

strengths of interviews…

A

can address sensitive and complex issues

good source of qualitative data

101
Q

limitations of interviews…

A

more time consuming than a questionnaire

102
Q

what is an unstructured interview?

A

a flexible interview based around themes rather than fixed questions

103
Q

strengths of an unstructured interview…

A

allows interviewee to go into more depth and detail

104
Q

limitations of unstructured interviews…

A

information gathered is difficult to analyse objectively

increased risk of interviewer bias

105
Q

what are correlations?

A

an analysis of the relationship between co-variables

106
Q

strengths of correlations…

A

allows researchers to investigate situations that could not be done experimentally
do not just indicate a realtionship but indicate the strength of a relationship

107
Q

limitations of correlations…

A

cannot reliably establish cause and effect

only work for linear relationships

108
Q

what is the mean?

A

an average of a set of scores

109
Q

what is the median?

A

the middle value in a set of scores

110
Q

what is the mode?

A

the most frequently occurring value in a set of scores

111
Q

what is the range?

A

measure of dispersion that is the difference between the highest and lowest value

Psychology AS (4 decks)

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