research methods Flashcards
1
Q
lab experiment
A
illegal to test real witnesses as it may bias testimony
IV: changed to test effect of leading question or weapon focus
DV: testimony or witness recall
- gather ppts to take part - vary characteristics of ppts
- show film or photo of incident or suspect - ppts see different films
- ask them to recall as a test of memory - vary time at which ppts recall and how they recall
2
Q
evaluation for lab experiment
A
- standardised procedure
- good controls allows cause and effect
- easier to replicate
- unnatural behaviour e.g. Loftus and Palmer 1974 ppts expecting to see something so pay more attention so cannot generalise findings to real life
- validity falls as ppts less likely to experience stress by watching film, not interviewed by police and unlikely to speak to others
3
Q
field experiment
A
- natural setting artificially constructed
- recreate environment in which a particular situation is likely to occur e.g. car accident
- same steps as lab but step 2 is witness real crime
- Valentine and meson 2009 - London dungeon was field experiment
4
Q
evaluation for field experiment
A
- hard to control as situational variables occur like distractions from others so can’t be replicated as extraneous variable affect findings leading to inconsistent results and low reliability
- behaviour more likely to reflect real life
- increased stress and less recall than lab so increased ecological validity
- ppts unaware they are participating so less risk of demand characteristics
- researcher needs to stage incident to not create excessive distress
5
Q
case studies
A
= in depth investigation of a single prson
- useful in understanding why a person committed an offence and develop formulation and explore factors relevant to offending
- clinical evaluations of case study determine if treatment of an offender is working
- gather FEW ppts to take part
- show film or photo of incident or suspect - ppts see different films
- ask them to recall as a test of memory - vary time at which ppts recall and how they recall (MORE DETAIL)
6
Q
case study evaluation
A
- detailed info as you used a variety of sources e.g. interview, questionnaire. identifying motives, beliefs
- cannot be generalised
7
Q
sampling methods
A
- usually opportunity sample or random sampling of students therefore low generalisability as they represent a homogenous group of individuals who do not have the variation of possible characteristics that typical witnesses might have
8
Q
what the research issues
A
- reliability
- validity
- objectivity
- credibility
9
Q
reliability
A
= consistency of the research findings
10
Q
credibility
A
- research is credible if it is valid, objective and reliable
- research needs to be credible as the application of findings is important for police
11
Q
validity
A
= how well a study measures what its supposed to
12
Q
objectivity
A
= researchers remain natural and unbiased when investigating a topic
- usually gather quantitative so no need for interpretation and no bias
- undertaking a case study on an offender requires you spending time and overtime so you get good understanding of there offending
Field and lab = quantitative so objective
Case study = qualitative so subjective