Research Methods

Question 1

What are the goal of research psychology?

Answer 1

1. Describing behavior
2. Undestanding what causes behavior
3. Predicting behavior accurately
4. Controlling conditions that influence behavior

Question 2

Define theory.

Answer 2

A set of principles, based on observation and other verifiable facts, that explain a phenomenon and predict future behavior.

Question 3

Define hypothesis.

Answer 3

A testable prediction consistent with the theory. ‘Testable’ means that the hypothesis is stated in a way in which the phenomenon can be studied to find out if it is true.

Question 4

What is reflexivity?

Answer 4

The researcher’s need to be constantly aware of how and why they are conducting the research, and to recognized if their own beliefs have influenced the data collection or analysis. It is an internal and external process, and the research can be discussed with colleagues.

Question 5

Define reliability.

Answer 5

Whether the measures used are accurate.
Did everyone part of the research agree with the data collection used. Inter-rater reliability.
If someone were to repeat the experiment, would the data be the same? Test-retest reliability and replicability.

Question 6

Define validity.

Answer 6

Whether the measures used, are measuring what they are are supposed to be measuring. Were appropriate tools used, did anything outside the research have an impact, researcher bias, ecological validity.

Question 7

What is ecological validity?

Answer 7

Whether the research was close to a real life situation.

Question 8

What is the origin of the Hawthorne Effect?

Answer 8

1920s, Hawthorne electrical plant, to understand what factors increase productivity.
5 female workers were observed over 2 years under different conditions (different lighting, different timing breaks). Result: productivity increased whatever the change. Workers responded to the higher attention provided by the management and researchers.

Question 9

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

Answer 9

When participants perform in a way they think meets the expectations of the researchers.
Demand characteristics is when participants try to guess the aim of the research and behave accordingly.

Question 10

Define Sampling.

Answer 10

A smaller, but representative, collection of units from a population used to determine truths about said population. It saves time and resources.

Question 11

Define sampling Bias.

Answer 11

A tendency to over or under represent a category in a population. To avoid it, random sampling is often used, so everyone has an equal chance of being in the sample.

Question 12

What are the sampling techniques?

Answer 12

1. Convenience sampling, whoever is immediately available.- passers on street
2. Stratified sampling, based on strada (categories) characterizing the target population, then quotas are set for each category.
3. Cluster sampling, random selection of one or more sections from the target population. Participants chosen from these clusters.
4. Purposive sampling, basing the selection of participants on who’s more like to offer the most relevant information on the topic of the research.
5. Snowball sampling, selecting people as participants and asking them to provide further contacts for the study.

Question 13

Define Quantitative Methodology.

Answer 13

Investigation of phenomena based on statistical or mathematical techniques. Findings are generalized. Importance of representativeness.

Question 14

Define Qualitative Methodology.

Answer 14

Used to describe and understand human behavior in depth. Personal experience. Representativeness is not important.

Question 15

What are the methods of data collection?

Answer 15

1. Experiments
2. Observation
3. Interviews
4. Case Studies
5. Surveys

Question 16

What is the experimental method?

Answer 16

A way of conducting research when one condition is changed. Researchers observe the change in the participant due to the change in condition. Check if a cause and effect exists between variables.

Question 17

What are the types of hypothesis?

Answer 17

Experimental or Research Hypothesis: independent variable causes an effect on dependent variable. ex. production (d.v.) is lower in a noisy(i.v) environment.
Null Hypothesis: no relationship between dependent and independent variable. ex. no difference in productivity because of noise.

Question 18

What is the directionality in hypothesis?

Answer 18

Directional Hypothesis: predicts the direction of the result.
Non-directional Hypothesis: doesn’t predict the direction of the result.

Question 19

What are the types of extraneous variables?

Answer 19

1. Participant variable: characteristics of individuals that impact how they respond. ex. People with photographic memory in a memory test
2. Situational variable: related to a thing in the environment. ex. taking a test in a cold room

Question 20

What groups are used to ensure the i.v. is having an impact on the d.v.?

Answer 20

1. Treatment group: receives level of i.v. that’s being studied
2. Control group: not subject to the variable test
3. Placebo group: receives ineffective level of i.v.
   Placebo is given since people might suffer from the placebo effect. Feeling better without being given the treatment. Psychological rather than physiological.

Question 21

What are the types of experiments?

Answer 21

• Laboratory Exp: in lab. Maximum control over e.v. Lower ecological validity, demand characteristics
• Field Exp: more natural environment, intentionally manipulate i.v. Less likely to know it’s an experiment, more ecological validity, less control over e.v.
• Natural/Quasi Exp: i.v. can’t be manipulated, higher ecological validity, less control, might be aware of the experiment.

Question 22

What is observational research?

Answer 22

Observational researchers do not manipulate the i.v., so causation is not effective (can’t determine what causes the behavior). They plan for what is being observed, target behavior. This need to be operationalised, what is being recorded and how.

Question 23

What are the types of observation?

Answer 23

Covert: participants don’t know they’re being observed
Overt: participants know they’re being observed
Participant: researcher is involved with the environment being studied
Non-Participant: not involved in the environment being studied. More objective
Naturalistic: the environment is not being controlled
Controlled: artificially constructed environment to understand behaviour under certain circumstances.

Question 24

What are the weaknesses of the observational method?

Answer 24

• Data polluted by demand characteristics, like the Hawthorne effect and audience effects (changing behavior because you’re being watched).
• Researcher bias, in defining target behavior
• Ethical problems on how much to share with participants, the negative effects following the participant’s discovery, their responsibility towards the public.

Question 25

How is observational data recorded?

Answer 25

Both qualitative and quantitative.
If unstructured qualitative, don’t know what behavior to observe.
if structured quantitative, research produces numerical data

Question 26

Define Interviews.

Answer 26

A means of gathering data through direct questioning- Interviews usually vary in the number of participants, choice of communication tool and structure.

Question 27

Define Focus Group.

Answer 27

Participants answer as part of a group that shares a common interest. It facilitates conversation, encourages all to talk, time efficient, help participants remember or share.
Participants may feel uncomfortable, obliged to conform, more dominant people might take over.

Question 28

What’s the structure of 1-to-1 interview?

Answer 28

Structured: set questions, no flexibility
Semi-structured: no predetermined list, flexible
Unstructured: allows to tackle the topic with more freedom
Narrative: no/little questions, allows participants to structure the talk freely.

Question 29

Define One to One Interview.

Answer 29

The participant talks directly to the interviewer. Interviews call for smaller samplings (purposive or snowball) cause it takes more time.

Question 30

What questions are asked in an interview?

Answer 30

Open Questions: participants can answer freely
Closed Questions: limited range of predetermined responses
Descriptive Questions: allows the description of a situation
Contrast Questions: allows participants to explain ideas, words or concepts mentioned in the interview.

Question 31

Define Case Studies.

Answer 31

Detailed analysis of an individual or a small group who’s considered unique or different. Qualitative. Take place over a period of time. Provides important information but cases can’t be replicated.

Question 32

Define Surveys.

Answer 32

AKA questionnaires. Quantitative research, self-report. Many closed questions, cost and time effective.

Question 33

What is a list of ethical principles followed by researchers?

Answer 33

The code of ethics. Professionals must follow standards of behavior in their work. Many research conducted must not cause psychological, physical or social harm.