RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards
(111 cards)
1
Q
definition of research question
A
question which describes what the psychologist wants to find out an answer to
2
Q
definition of hypothesis
A
testable statement making a prediction about what will happen in the investigation
3
Q
definition of research aims
A
general statement which describes what a psychologist intends to investgate
4
Q
what is the independent variable
A
what you change/manipulate
5
Q
what is the dependent variable
A
the thing you measure
6
Q
what is the whole population
A
everyone in the world
7
Q
what is the target population
A
anyone who matches the group which you want
8
Q
what is the sample
A
the group you are working with
9
Q
what is the sampling frame
A
list of people who they could research from
10
Q
what is repeated/related measures
A
each participant is tested in all conditions of an experiment
11
Q
what is independent groups design
A
tested in one condition of the experiement
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.
13
Q
what are experiments?
A
the process of manipulating an IV and measuring the DV while controlling all other variables
14
Q
What is reliability?
A
when an experiment can be replicated and similar results obtained
15
Q
what is validity?
A
validity is when results generated are an accurate reflection on how people behave
16
Q
what are confiding variables?
A
something other than the IV which can affect the DV
17
Q
what are participant variables?
A
those which occur when individuals characteristics of participants effect their behavior in an experiment for example.
18
Q
what is experimental design?
A
shows the psychologists chosen how to see the participants when conducting an experiment.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
25
what is a natural experiment?
an experiment where naturally occurring changes in independent variables are observed
26
what is a quasi-experiment?
an experiment where participants cannot be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups
27
strengths of natural and quasi experiments?
- useful where it would be impractical or impossible to manipulate variables
- high levels of ecological validity
28
limitations of natural and quasi experiments?
- not always possible to clearly identify cause and effect relationships.
29
strengths of independent groups design...
- 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.
30
limitations of independent groups design...
- 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
31
strengths of matched pairs design...
- good control of participant variables
| - eliminates order effects
32
limitations of matched pairs design...
matching participants is very difficult
33
strengths of repeated measures design...
- uses fewer participants
- get two or more scores per participants saving time effort and money
- participant variables are not a concern
34
limitations of repeated measures design...
- 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
35
what is random sampling?
a sample in which all members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected to participate in research
36
strengths of random sampling...
as the researcher has no control over who is selected, investigator bias is avoided
37
limitations of random sampling...
possibility that the sample will not be representative thus limiting generalizability
38
systematic sampling...
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
39
strengths of systematic sampling...
the only input the researcher has is deciding the sample size, therefore it avoids investigator bias.
40
limitations of systematic sampling...
still a chance that the sample will not be representative thus limiting generalizability
41
strengths of stratified sampling...
avoids investigator bias
| representative so it can be generalised
42
limitations of stratified sampling...
if all key features of the population are not identified then the sample may not be representative.
43
what is stratified sampling?
aims to ensure that the key characteristics of the population are represented in the same proportion in the sample.
44
what is opportunity sampling?
a sample that consists of participants who were selected because of their availability
45
strengths of opportunity sampling...
less time consuming than other techniques
46
limitations of opportunity sampling...
the researcher may consciously or subconsciously show bias in sample selection thus limiting generalizability
47
what is volunteer sampling?
a sample where the participants self-selectq
48
strengths of volunteer sampling...
less time consuming than other techniques
49
limitations of volunteer sampling...
sample bias is likely as only certain types of people are motivated to do volunteer for research thus limiting generalizability.
50
Ethical issues which need to be considered...
respect for the autonomy and dignity of person
scientific value
social responsibility
maximising benefit and minimising harm
51
what is qualitative data?
data that is not numerical e.g quotes from research participants
52
what is quantitative data?
data that is expressed in a numerical form
53
strengths of qualitative data?
- richer in detail than quantitative data
| - can express the motivations and intent behind feelings and actions
54
Limitations of qualitative data?
- considered less reliable than quantitative data
| - difficult to analyse objectively - two psychologists may look at the data and draw different conclusions
55
strengths of quantitative data?
- 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
limitations of quantitative data?
- cannot really be used to discuss feelings
| - doesn't have alot of rich detail/depth
57
what are participant variables?
those which occur when individual characteristics of participants affect their behaviour in an experiment
58
what are situational variables?
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
what are experimental variables?
occur when the experimenter treats some participants different to others
60
What is a controlled observation?
an observation that takes place in a highly controlled environment such as a laboratory
61
what is a naturalistic observation?
observation which takes place in peoples natural environment without control over the variables
62
what is a covert observation?
an observation which takes place without the knowledge or awareness of the participants
63
what is an overt observation?
observation which takes place with the full knowledge and awareness of the participants
64
what is a participant observation?
data is gathered by the psychologists whilst being part of the observed group or situation
65
what is a non-participant observation?
data is gathered from a distance without the psychologist being involved in the observed group or situation
66
strengths of a controlled observation...
high level of control
| easier to establish cause and effect relationships
67
limitations of a controlled observation...
the environment is artificial therefore you may not get natural behaviour
68
strengths of a naturalistic observation...
high degree of natural behaviour which means findings can be generalised to everyday life
69
limitations of a naturalistic observation...
no control of variables so difficult to establish cause and effect relationships
70
strengths of a covert observation...
more valid results from participants because natural behaviour is being observed
71
limitations of covert observation...
lack of informed consent means there are ethical issues
72
strengths of overt observation...
ethically sound as participants know they are being observed and will have given consent
73
limitations of overt observation...
participants may not behave naturally if they are aware of being observed
74
strengths of participant observation...
greater insight into behaviour is gained by being part of the group
increased validity of the findings
75
limitations of participant observation...
objectivity of observations are affected by being part of the group/situation
76
strengths of non-participant observation...
lack of direct involvement ensures greater objectivity
77
limitations of non-participant observation...
data lacks richness of that provided by participant observation
78
what are self-report techniques?
a research method which requires the participant to report on themselves
79
what the strengths of self-report techniques?
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
what are the limitations of self report techniques?
they rely on participants being honest
| participants may feel the need to give socially desirable answers
81
what is primary data?
data collected from first hand experience
82
strengths of primary data...
data gathered is for the purpose of addressing the specific research hypothesis - this increases its validity
83
limitations of primary data...
often time consuming and expensive
84
what is secondary data?
data collected from an already published source
85
strengths of secondary data...
readily available so quick and possibly inexpensive
86
limitations of secondary data...
secondary so already undergone some interpretation so may have some inherent biases
87
what is meta-analysis
a technique for combining the findings of independent studies often with smaller samples to create a larger sample
88
strengths of meta-analysis
useful in situations where a topic has been extensively studied
89
limitations of meta-analysis
reliant on the psychologist who did the research primarily doing a good job
90
what is a questionnaire?
a self report method where RPS are presented with a set of pre-determined questions
91
strengths of questionnaires...
can be cost effective and time effective because they can be quickly administered
they can provide honest data improving reliability
92
limitations of questionnaires...
response rates can be poor when administered in absence of the researcher
difficult to generalise the findings
only certain people return them
93
what are closed questions?
questions which allow participants to respond in certain ways
94
strengths of closed questions...
provides control by requiring to answer in a certain way
| require minimum effort to answer and analyse
95
limitations of closed questions...
have to guess the range of answers
respondent may have an answer which is not there
lack engagement/longer questions cause fatigue
96
what are open questions?
questions which the respondants are allowed to respond freely and without restriction
97
strengths of open questions...
offers flexibility to the respondent
| good way of accessing motivations and feelings
98
limitations of open questions
provide qualitative data which is difficult to analyse
| questions may not be answered in a helpful way
99
what is an interview?
where participants answer questions face to face
100
strengths of interviews...
can address sensitive and complex issues
| good source of qualitative data
101
limitations of interviews...
more time consuming than a questionnaire
102
what is an unstructured interview?
a flexible interview based around themes rather than fixed questions
103
strengths of an unstructured interview...
allows interviewee to go into more depth and detail
104
limitations of unstructured interviews...
information gathered is difficult to analyse objectively
| increased risk of interviewer bias
105
what are correlations?
an analysis of the relationship between co-variables
106
strengths of correlations...
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
limitations of correlations...
cannot reliably establish cause and effect
| only work for linear relationships
108
what is the mean?
an average of a set of scores
109
what is the median?
the middle value in a set of scores
110
what is the mode?
the most frequently occurring value in a set of scores
111
what is the range?
measure of dispersion that is the difference between the highest and lowest value
