Research methods Flashcards
What is the scientific cycle?
Observing something Writing a hypothesis Designing a study to test the hypothesis Collecting data Analysing results Questioning the validity of the study Drawing conclusion
What is an experiment?
It involves the manipulation of the independent variable to see if or how this effects the dependent variable.
What makes a good experiment?
Valid, reliable and repeatable.
What is mundane realism?
How a study mirrors the real world. To understand behaviour in the real world.
What is an extraneous variable?
A variable that does not vary systematically- this is about the participants, its an unwanted IV.
What is a confounding variable?
This varies systematically with the IV. Its due to the design of the experiment and leads to a meaningless outcome.
What is validity?
The extent to which a study provides a true or legitimate explanation of behaviour.
What is internal validity?
This refers to what happens inside the study.
What are the three types of internal validity?
- Control (if the change in independent variable caused the effect on the dependent variable)
- Construct validity (something lacks construct validity if you test one theory using an experiment but another theory explains it results better)
- Mundane realism (extent to which the experiment reflects the real world)
What is external validity?
Refers to how well you generalise from research participants (apply the findings of a study) to people, places and times involved in the study.
What is ecology validity?
How well you can generalise a study to different places or settings.
What is population validity?
How well you can generalise a study to different people or populations.
What is historical (temporal) validity?
How well you can generalise a study to different times.
What is a laboratory experiment?
Takes place in highly controlled environment, researcher manipulates IV and controls both variables.
What is a field experiment?
Takes place in a natural, more everyday setting in the field, researcher controls the effect on the DV.
What is a quasi experiment?
IV is based on an existing difference between people (age or gender), so nobody manipulates the IV- it just exists.
What is a natural experiment?
The researcher takes advantage of a pre- existing independent variable, the IV is not bought about buy the researcher , it wouldve happened even if the researcher wasnt there.
What are ethics?
Ethics are standards that concern any group of professional people- they include documents advising what is expected of them in terms of right and wrong in their jobs.
What is a weakness of lab experiments?
Theyre artificial and involves a controlled sistuation. Participants may know that theyre being studied so it may lack mundane realism. Participants may not act naturally which reduces the ecological validity.
Possibility of participant effects, investigator effects and demand characteristics.
What are strengths of lab experiments?
Well controlled so not many extraneous or confounding variables- higher internal validity.
Can easily be replicated to see if results occur again, demonstrating external validity.
Weaknesses of field experiments?
More time consuming therefore more expensive than lab experiments.
Less control of extraneous/confounding variables than lab which reduces internal validity
Many problems of lab may be present in field, the Iv may lack realism.
Ethical issues as the participants do not know they are being studied.
Strengths of field experiments?
Less artificial than lab experiments, usually higher in mundane realism
Participants are not aware of studying so natural.
Weaknesses of natural?
Allows research to be done where the IV cant be manipulated for ethical reasons
Cannot demonstrate causual relationships cause the IV is not manipulated
Random allocation- confounding variables cant be controlled
Sample may have unique characteristics, meaning that the findings cant be generalised
Strengths of natural?
Enables psychologists to study real problems so there is more mundane realism
Can only be used where conditions vary naturally
Strengths of quasi?
Can only be used where conditions vary naturally
Allows comparison between different types of people
Weaknesses of quasi?
Participants may be aware of study, therefore reduces internal validity
Dependent variable may be a fairly artificial task thus reducing MDR and ecological validity
Random allocation not possible therefore more confoudning variables- comprimises internal validity
Cannot demonstrate casual relationships
What is an independent group experimental design?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two or more groups. Each participant therefore does one level of the IV and the DV is compared between groups.
What is a matched pairs experimental design?
Pairs of participants are matched on key relevant variables for the study (age). Each member placed in two different groups. Performance (DV) is compared across the two.
What are the 2 groups in repeated measures?
Experimental group that receives the treatment.
Control group receives no treatment.
What is repeated measures?
Counterbalancing - test AB, BA
Using 2 different tests to reduce the practice effect
Use a cover story to avoid participants guessing the aim
What are strengths of independent groups?
There would be no order effects
Different participants take part in different groups so it doesnt matter if one test is more difficult.
Can be tested at the same time- saving time and effort.
Participants unlikely to guess the aim as they only do 1.
Weakness of independent groups?
No control of participant variables. (confounding)
Strengths of matched pairs?
Controls some important variables (that the researcher can think of before the experiment)
Weaknesses of matched pairs?
Time consuming and difficult to match participants on key variables.
You need more participants.
Not possible to control all participant variables.
Strengths of repeated measures?
Controls participant variable as all in the same condition.
You only need half as many participants as the others.
Weaknesses of repeated measures?
The order of conditions may affect performance (an order affect eg boredom effect)
Participants do all the conditions so may guess the aim.
One of the tests may be more difficult then the other so same participants do better in one condition.
A gap may be needed between conditions to avoid effects.
How to deal with limitations of repeated measures?
Researchers may use two different tests to reduce practice effect.
Counterbalancing- each group does a different order of the tests, eg AB and BA.
Cover story to avoid the participants guessing the aim.
How to deal with limitations of independent groups?
Randomly allocate participants- can be drawn into a hat.
How to deal with limitations of matched pairs?
Restrict the number of variables to match on to make it easier.
Conduct a pilot study that shows key variables, as this will help match participants.
What is a naturalistic observation?
Nothing is changed as researchers do not get involved. This means high ecological validity.
What is a controlled observation?
Researchers control the situation (e.g. Bandura). Lacks internal validity.
What is a covert observation?
Participants are unaware they are being watched- leads to problems of consent. High validity.
What is an overt observation?
Participants know they’re being subtly watched. May cause demand characteristics. Can ask for informed consent.
What is a participant observation?
When the researcher is a observer in a part of the group theyre watching.
What is a non-participant observation?
When the observer watches from a distance.
What key things does an information sheet have to include?
Introduction to the purpose of the study with brief details of the background, FAQ awnsers (risks of the study, what will happen to me if i take part), name and contact, thankyou for taking part.
What key things does a consent form have to include?
Title of study, contact, confirmation that the participant has read and understood the information sheet, can withdraw without reason, consents to certain aspects of study, signature and date.
What key things does a debrief sheet have to include?
True aim of study, if independent group was used outline two conditions of study, ask if they have questions, relevant ethical considerations, thanks for taking part.
What are the 4 principles of ethics?
Respect, competence, responsibility, integrity.
What is respect in terms of ethics?
Respect for the worth of all people- including their privacy, informed consent and confidentiality.
What is competence in terms of ethics?
Psychologists should maintain high standards in their professional work.
What is responsibility in terms of ethics?
Psychologists have a responsibility to protect participants from physical and psychological harm as well as debriefing at the end of the study.
What is integrity in terms of ethics?
Psychologists should be honest and accurate to participants.
What is informed consent in BPS code of conduct?
Participants must be made aware of everything they will go through during the study and consent to this.
What is deception in BPS code of conduct?
The central principle is the reaction of participants when deception is revealed and if this causes objections or discomfort then deception is inappropriate.
What is protection from harm in the code of conduct?
If there is potential harm, discomfort or long term negative effect to a participants future life, then the researcher must protect them from this.
What are the 5 most important ethical issues?
Informed consent, deception, the right to withdraw, protection from physical and psychological harm and confidentiality.
What is opportunity sampling?
Recruit those people who are most convenient or most available.
What is volunteer sample?
Advertise in a newspaper or on a notice board or on the internet.
What is a random sample?
Sample participants in a way which means that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected to participate.
What is a stratified sample?
Subgroups within a population are identified (e.g. gender). Participants then obtained from the subgroup in proportion to their occurrence in the population.
What is a systematic sample?
Use a predetermined system to select participants e.g. every 6th person. The numerical interval is applied consistently to create entire sample.
What are weaknesses of systematic?
Need to have a list of all the population then contact all those selected.
The process of selection can interact with a hidden periodic trait within the population- can lead to not having a representative sample.
What are strengths of systematic?
The results are likely to be representative of the target population.
What are weaknesses of random?
Unbiased selection does not guarantee an unbiased sample e.g. females could be chosen again and again which may not be representative.
Strengths of random sampling?
Unbiased- all members of target population have an equal chance of selection.
Weaknesses of opportunity?
Inevitably biased because the sample is drawn from a small part of the population e.g. if you’re collecting data from the centre of town at 9am you’re likely to only get working people.
Strengths of opportunity?
The easiest method because you use the first suitable participants, so it takes less time.
Weaknesses of volunteer?
Sample is biased because participants are more likely to be more highly motivated- volunteer bias.
Volunteers are eager to please- demand characteristics.
Strengths of volunteer?
Gives access to a variety of participants.
Creating sample requires little effort from researchers.
Weaknesses of stratified?
Very time consuming to identify subgroups, then randomly select participants and contact.
Samples require detailed knowledge of the population.
Strengths of stratified?
Likely to be more representative than other methods as the subgroups represent the actual population.
