Research Methods

Question 1

What are laboratory experiments?

Answer 1

• It tests the hypotheses in a specifically designed and highly controlled environment
• Variables are manipulated to test the relationship between them

Question 2

What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?

Answer 2

• The results are RELIABLE as all variables have been controlled
• It’s easy to REPLICATE the procedure, meaning that reliability can be re-checked
• Conclusions can be drawn about CAUSE AND EFFECT relationships
• The pace of research can be forced i.e. the results can be delivered quicker

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

Answer 3

• There may be LOW VALIDITY as the events don’t occur in a natural environment
• There is a higher likelihood of DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS
• There may be ETHICAL DILEMMAS as more variables and more people are manipulated

Question 4

What is a field experiment?

Answer 4

• They take place in the environment that the behaviour would be expected to take place in
• The research is able to manipulate the IV, but they may not have control of environmental or participant variables

Question 5

What are the strengths of field experiments?

Answer 5

• VALIDITY is likely to increase due to the natural environment
• DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS are REDUCED as there is usually limited contact between the participant and the researcher

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of field experiments?

Answer 6

-Results become LESS RELIABLE due to the likelihood of EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES and source of bias

Question 7

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 7

• The researcher exploits a situation that is naturally occurring - in an environment that the behaviour is expected to occur in
• The IV has been operationalised by someone/the circumstances, and the DV may also by operationalised by the circumstances

Question 8

What is another word for natural experiments?

Answer 8

Quasi experiments

Question 9

What are the strengths of natural experiments?

Answer 9

• No/little DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS
• HIGH VALIDITY as it’s using real situations/experiences
• It’s possible to study events that CAN’T BE MANIPULATED or that have NO ETHICAL PROBLEMS

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of natural experiments?

Answer 10

• There is no control over the variables, which means there is LITTLE RELIABILITY
• There may still be ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS due to lack of consent or feedback

Question 11

What is the definition for Independent Variable (IV)?

Answer 11

The variable that is being TESTED

Question 12

What is the definition for the Dependent Variable (DV)?

Answer 12

The variable that is MEASURED

Question 13

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 13

The idea that participants may act in a way that the researcher wants them to

Question 14

What is validity?

Answer 14

The legitimacy of the data that has been collected

Question 15

What is reliability?

Answer 15

The consistency of the measurement

Question 16

What are Extraneous Variables?

Answer 16

Variables that are not controlled in the research that could manipulate the results

Question 17

What do self-report techniques comprise of?

Answer 17

Interviews and questionnaires

Question 18

What are self-report techniques?

Answer 18

They are based on a set on questions, whether it’s a face-to-face meeting or a questionnaire.

Question 19

What are the strengths of interviews?

Answer 19

• They can gather other sources of info such as non-verbal communication
• They can allow for CLARIFICATION of answers
• They can be a rich source of VALID data and RELIABILITY

Question 20

What are the strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 20

• They can be ECONOMIC and generate LARGE SAMPLES

- As they are structure, RELIABILITY is increased

Question 21

What are the weaknesses of interviews?

Answer 21

• There are DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS as they are face-to-face

- The participants may adjust answers based on the researchers profile

Question 22

What is a correlational analysis?

Answer 22

• Variables are in a quantitative form

- They are processed statistically to determine in they are related to each other

Question 23

What are the strengths of correlational analysis?

Answer 23

• SECONDARY DATA can be used - which can be ECONOMIC for the researcher
• Can indicate the STRENGTH of the relationship

Question 24

What are case studies?

Answer 24

It’s a highly detailed analysis of one individual or event

Question 25

What are strengths of case studies?

Answer 25

• Rich source of data

- Depth of detail contributes to VALIDITY

Question 26

What are the weaknesses of case studies?

Answer 26

• CAUSAL relationships are difficult to establish

- Hard to GENERALISE from unique cases

Question 27

What are observational techniques?

Answer 27

Watching and recording the behaviour of others

Question 28

What are two types of observational techniques?

Answer 28

• NATURALISTIC takes place in the environment that the behaviour is expected to be seen in
• STRUCTURED has activities built into the observation and the behavioural categories that go with it

Question 29

What are the strengths of observational techniques?

Answer 29

-High VALIDITY as behaviours are occurring in a natural environment

Question 30

What are the weaknesses of observational techniques?

Answer 30

• There may be ETHICAL ISSUES in observing people without their consent
• There may be DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS if participants know that they are being observed
• Observing without a schedule makes the results LESS RELIABLE as behaviours may be missed