Research Methods Flashcards
What are laboratory experiments?
- It tests the hypotheses in a specifically designed and highly controlled environment
- Variables are manipulated to test the relationship between them
What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?
- 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
What are the weaknesses of laboratory experiments?
- 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
What is a field experiment?
- 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
What are the strengths of field experiments?
- 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
What are the weaknesses of field experiments?
-Results become LESS RELIABLE due to the likelihood of EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES and source of bias
What is a natural experiment?
- 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
What is another word for natural experiments?
Quasi experiments
What are the strengths of natural experiments?
- 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
What are the weaknesses of natural experiments?
- 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
What is the definition for Independent Variable (IV)?
The variable that is being TESTED
What is the definition for the Dependent Variable (DV)?
The variable that is MEASURED
What are demand characteristics?
The idea that participants may act in a way that the researcher wants them to
What is validity?
The legitimacy of the data that has been collected
What is reliability?
The consistency of the measurement
What are Extraneous Variables?
Variables that are not controlled in the research that could manipulate the results
What do self-report techniques comprise of?
Interviews and questionnaires
What are self-report techniques?
They are based on a set on questions, whether it’s a face-to-face meeting or a questionnaire.
What are the strengths of interviews?
- 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
What are the strengths of questionnaires?
- They can be ECONOMIC and generate LARGE SAMPLES
- As they are structure, RELIABILITY is increased
What are the weaknesses of interviews?
- There are DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS as they are face-to-face
- The participants may adjust answers based on the researchers profile
What is a correlational analysis?
- Variables are in a quantitative form
- They are processed statistically to determine in they are related to each other
What are the strengths of correlational analysis?
- SECONDARY DATA can be used - which can be ECONOMIC for the researcher
- Can indicate the STRENGTH of the relationship
What are case studies?
It’s a highly detailed analysis of one individual or event
What are strengths of case studies?
- Rich source of data
- Depth of detail contributes to VALIDITY
What are the weaknesses of case studies?
- CAUSAL relationships are difficult to establish
- Hard to GENERALISE from unique cases
What are observational techniques?
Watching and recording the behaviour of others
What are two types of observational techniques?
- 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
What are the strengths of observational techniques?
-High VALIDITY as behaviours are occurring in a natural environment
What are the weaknesses of observational techniques?
- 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
