Research Methods

Question 1

Strengths of open questions

Answer 1

• Give detailed and in-depth data as respondent is not constrained to a selection of answers therefore can be considered more valid.

Question 2

Weaknesses of open questions

Answer 2

• Difficult to analyse because tend to interpret by the respondent therefore difficult to compare data with those other respondents. Answer must also be analysed by researcher therefore could be classed as subjective as they need to be interpreted.

Question 3

Quantitative data

Answer 3

Normally in the form of numbers. Statistical tests can be used to determine significance.

Question 4

Qualitative data

Answer 4

Normally in the form of words.

Can be analysed by generating themes and categories.

Question 5

Case studies

Answer 5

Allow data to be gathered in both depth and detail.
It is a study of an individual or small group, the individual or group becomes the focus of the case city where different methods will be used to collect in-depth data.

Question 6

Independent variable

Answer 6

Variable that is manipulated by the researcher to investigate whether it consequently brings change in another variable.

Question 7

Dependent variable

Answer 7

Is measured and predicted to be dependent upon the IV.

Question 8

Control group

Answer 8

A group of participants that do not experience the experimental situation but acts as a baseline which to judge any change. This allows comparison of results.

Question 9

Over observation

Answer 9

a form of observation where those being observed are aware of the presence of an observer.

Question 10

Covert observation

Answer 10

A form of observation were the participants do not know they are being observed.
In an unstructured observation, the researcher will record all relevant behaviour but has no system.

Question 11

Strengths of a naturalistic observation

Answer 11

• The observations are carried out in the child’s natural environment which means that real life behaviour will be displayed . For example, in Robertson & Robertson the children were observed in the hospital setting or at home with them giving high ecological validity.
  
  • If time sampling is used carefully with tallying, prepared categories and more than one observer then inter -rater reliability can be checked.

Question 12

Weaknesses of naturalistic observation

Answer 12

• Lack of control of extraneous variables which means other variables can influence the behaviour of the infant. E.g., in Robertson & Robertson the temperament of the infant could have been a factor –lowers validity
  
  • Children may be influenced by being observed so this also lowers validity.
  • Researchers are not always able to replicate naturalistic observations due to a lack of control in the environment so reliability of findings cannot always be tested.
  • Ethical issues may occur if consent has not been given by the child’s parents for the child to be part of the observation.

Question 13

Cross sectional research

Answer 13

undertaking research.
This is designed to gather information on a population at a single point in time. A cross-section of the population is targeted and their measures are compared.

Question 14

Strengths of cross sectional studies

Answer 14

• Cross-sectional studies obtain immediate results and are more cost-effective as you only need to use the researcher once.
  
  • There is also fewer demands on participants, therefore may be viewed as more ethical.

Question 15

Weaknesses of cross-sectional studies

Answer 15

However as different participants are used, participant variables may affect the results obtained.

Question 16

Longitudinal research

Answer 16

Allow you to gather data from your participants over the course of time and determine whether any changes occur.

Question 17

Strengths of longitudinal research

Answer 17

• Avoid the cohort effect; the differences within social and cultural groups that change over time.
  
  • Removes participant variables as the same participants are used throughout the duration of the study. This prevents individual differences from affecting the results.

Question 18

Weaknesses of longitudinal studies

Answer 18

• More expensive and time-consuming. Therefore are difficult to replicate resulting in low reliability.
  -Replication of longitudinal study would be expensive and you cannot guarantee the same conditions are used.
  Participants may be lost due to various reasons (attrition), this can alter the direction or aim of the study. As well as temporarily stop the study while another participant is found.

Question 19

Standard deviation

Answer 19

• Takes into account every score set
  
  • A low standard deviation suggests a little spread of scores
  • A high standard deviation suggests more wide spread of scores
  • Calculated on the basis of each individual score from the mean
  • Mores sensitive than the range

Question 20

Spearman’s rank correlation

Answer 20

Ordinal data

Co-variables

Question 21

Chi-squared

Answer 21

Independent groups

Nominal data

Question 22

Semi-structured interviews

Answer 22

Have a set list questions but ask questions to follow common themes displayed by patient.
Lack reliability as each interview is unique to the individual.

Question 23

Structured interviews

Answer 23

Have a set list of questions to ask.

Can be compared across other interviews as question list is the same therefore has reliability.

Question 24

Directional (one tailed) hypothesis

Answer 24

Predicts the nature of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

Question 25

Non-directional (two tailed) hypothesis

Answer 25

Predicts that the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable, but the direction of the effect is not specified.

Question 26

Reliability

Answer 26

A test has this if, when repeated, it gives similar results. In other words, findings prove to be replicated

Question 27

Validity

Answer 27

A test is high in this if it tests what it is supposed to test. This is low, however, if we have reasons to question the truth of the findings.

Question 28

Lab experiment

Answer 28

This is where the researcher carries out an experiment under controlled or laboratory conditions

Question 29

Control group

Answer 29

This is a condition or group in the experiment that provides comparison scores so that when compared with the experimental conditions, the effect of the IV can be seen.
The only difference between this and the experimental conditions is that this condition does not get the IV

Question 30

Extraneous variables

Answer 30

These are all variables other than IV that could have an impact on the DV. They have to be kept constant or controlled in order to isolate the IV as a causal variable

Question 31

Confounding variables

Answer 31

An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV.

Question 32

Repeated measures design

Answer 32

The is an experimental design where every participant is tested in every condition. They act as their own control group.

Question 33

Pilot study

Answer 33

In order to test the questions for clarity to check whether the students understand them.

• To check whether the sampling method/technique gathers a representative sample of the college students.

Question 34

Concurrent validity

Answer 34

Establishing validity that compares evidence from several studies testing the same thing to see if they agree.

Question 35

Predictive validity

Answer 35

The extent to which performance on a test is related to later performance that the test was designed to predict.

Question 36

Type I error

Answer 36

Type I error is the rejection of a true null hypothesis

Question 37

Type II error

Answer 37

Type II error is the failure of rejecting a false null hypothesis

Question 38

Wilcoxon test

Answer 38

• Test of difference
• Repeated measures design or matched pairs design
• The data is at least ordinal level

Question 39

Mann-Whitney U test

Answer 39

• Independent groups

- Ordinal level data

Question 40

Define objectivity

Answer 40

Objectivity is being neutral and unbiased when collecting and interpreting research data in psychology

Question 41

Secondary data

Answer 41

• Data that has already been collected and the info is stored for researchers to use and re-analyse for a new purpose.
• Results from psychological studies are classed as secondary data. The researcher will conduct an in-depth review of the secondary data before collecting their own data.
• In clinical psychology, secondary data may include medical records or school reports.
• Secondary data is collected indirectly from existing records about people who fit the criteria for the target population/

Question 42

Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data.

Answer 42

• There is a high validity in the qualitative data as participants are free to respond how they wish.
• Thematic analysis could be used with the data and can be rated/categorised by multiple researchers to reduce subjectivity.
• Analysis of quantitative data is less likely to be open to interpretation by the researcher.
• Quantitative data from laboratory experiments gives higher reliability so the data accurately shows cause and effect relationships between IV and DV.

Question 43

Strengths and weaknesses of thematic analysis

Answer 43

• Enables qualitative data to be analysed and compared with other research findings into the same topics.
• considered to be less scientific because themes are subjective in nature and so validity is lowered due to researcher bias.