research methods Flashcards
Lab Experiment
The IV is manipulated by the researcher and it conducted in controlled conditions
strengths and weakness of lab experiment
s -It produced scientific research and can establish cause and effect
w - Low ecological validity, as they are conducted in an artificial setting
Field Experiment
The IV is manipulated by the researcher and it is conducted in a natural setting
strengths and weaknesses of field experiment
s - Offer a more realistic setting for a study and therefore have greater ecological validity
w - Lack control and variables can be influenced by extraneous variables
Quasi Experiment
The IV is naturally occurring and cannot be manipulated. It is conducted in natural settings
strengths and weaknesses Quasi experiment
s - It allows us to study the effects of the variables psychologists can manipulate
w - No control over participants
structured and unstructured observation
structured observation - A observation system will be used to record the data (coding frame), only certain behaviours shown will be recorded
unstructured observation - The researcher continuously records and reports behaviour, noting everything that happens
strengths and weakness of structured observation
s - Comparisons can be made across each observation and can see clear trends in data.
w - By only noting down some behaviour you could miss important information. Open to observer bias
strengths and weakness of unstructured observation
s -
You don’t miss any behaviour as all of it is recorded
w - The data gathered may be too dense and detailed making it hard to summarise and make comparisons between other participants
naturalistic and controlled observations
naturalistic observation - his is an observation which is carried out in the field, it a natural setting.
controlled observations - This is where all the possible factors which might alter the behaviour are controlled.
strengths and weakness of naturalistic observations
s - You may see more realistic behaviour
w - There is often a lack of control meaning other factors may influence behaviour
strengths and weakness of controlled observation
s -Allows cause and effect to be established
w - the situation is artificial, often showing behaviour which has been affected by the artificial setting
participant and non-participant observations
participant observation - This is a method of gathering data through observation, the observer is part of the group being observed.
non-participant observation - this is where the observer is not a member of the group being studied
strengths and weakness of participant observation
s -
You have a good vantage point for your observations. As Well as they you can understand why people are behaving how they do.
w - It may be hard to record the data and some may be missed
strengths and weakness of non-participant
s - You remain more objective
w - You may not have the same level of insight as an observer within the group
overt and covert observation
overt observation - This is where the participant knows that he/she is being observed, and has either given consent or is aware of the observation.
covert observation - This is where the participants does not know that he/she is being observed
self report ethods
questionnaire - Questionnaires are a set of questions that are usually completed as pen and paper tests, but can also be done over the internet or phone
interviews - structured, semi-structured and unstructured
structured interview
This is where the same set of questions is asked to each participant in the same order. Often researchers will not show any expression or interest.
semi-structured interview
This is where the interviewer has a list of questions but he may ask for clarification when needed
unstructured interview
This is where the researcher has topics to discuss but these don’t have to be in the same order for each participant. It is more like a conversation.
strengths and weaknesses of structured interview
s - it is easier to gather quantitative data and is possible to analyse it and draw trends
w - it is artificial and the respondent may not feel free to add or explain their answers
strengths and weakness of unstructured interview
s - it is more like a regular conversation meaning it has higher ecological validity. It also provided rich and detailed information
w - With such a broad range of topics is can often be hard to summarise and compare data