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PSYCHOLOGY > Research methods And Bio psychology > Flashcards

Research methods And Bio psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

what is an aim?

A

An aim is a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate providing the purpose of the study.
e.g. to investigate how time spent with cats effects happiness

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2
Q

what is a correlation?

A

A correlation is a research method which indicates STRENGTH and DIRECTION of the relationship between TWO OR MORE COVARIABLES.

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3
Q

What is the difference between correlations and experiments?

A

In an experiment the IV is manipulated. In a correlation there is no such manipulation of one variable therefore it is not possible to establish a cause and effect between the variables.

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4
Q

Evaluate correlations

A

+ provide precise and quantifiable measure of how two variables relate
+less time consuming then experiments
- third variable problem
- cannot tell which variable caused an effect on the other

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5
Q

what is an hypothesis?

A

A hypothesis is a precise, definite, testable statement which mentions both conditions in an experiment

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6
Q

what are the two types of hypothesis?

A
  1. directional/one tailed- states a direction and a response
  2. Non-Directional/two tailed - suggests that there will be a difference.
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7
Q

what is a pilot study?

A

a pilot study is a small scale trial run through of the actual investigation which allows researchers to identify any potential issue and modify the design or procedure saving time and money in the long term.

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8
Q

Name the four ethical problems and how to solve them

A
  1. consent–> prior general consent, presumptive consent
  2. Deception–> avoid lying to ptsp
  3. protection from physical and psychological harm –> full debrief, right to withdraw, reassure behaviour is ordinary
  4. privacy and confidentiality –> maintain anonymity eg use numbers/initials. remind ptsps that data will be anonymous
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9
Q

What is peer assessment?

A

Peer assessment is the assessment of scientific work by other who are specialised in the same field to ensure that any research intended for publication is of high quality.

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10
Q

what are the three aims of peer review?

A
  1. allocate research funding
  2. validate the quality and relevance of the research
  3. to suggest amendments or improvements
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11
Q

What are the three descriptive statistics?

A

mean
median
mode

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12
Q

what are the two measures of dispersion ?

A

standard deviation
range

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13
Q

what is anonymity?

A

the principle of research ethics stating that the identity of a studied ptsp should remain unknown

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14
Q

what is standard deviation?

A

the measurement of the average spread of scores around the mean

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15
Q

evaluate standard deviation

A

+ more precise than range as all data is taken into account
- it is more difficult to calculate

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16
Q

describe a normal distribution

A

bell shaped
symmetrical
mean median and mode are the in the same place (middle)

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17
Q

describe a positive skew distribution

A

majority of data is skewed to the lower end of the graph
order= mode median mean

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18
Q

describe a negative skew distribution

A

the majority of the data are on the higher end of the graph
order= mean median mode

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19
Q

evaluate the mean

A

+ uses all values
- not appropriate for nominal data or if there is extreme values

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20
Q

evaluate the median

A

+ unaffected by extreme values
- not all values are reflected

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21
Q

evaluate the mode

A

+ easy to calculate
- not useful for small sets of data or when there is not a mode

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22
Q

what are the three levels of measurement?

A

nominal - basic categories
ordinal - data is ranked
interval - data measured on numerical scale

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23
Q

evaluate nominal data

A

+ east to analyse
- least informative

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24
Q

evaluate ordinal data

A

+ indicates relative value on a linear scale and more informative than nominal data
- subjective, no definable gaps between units

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25
Q

evaluate interval data

A

+most informative
- takes a long time to collect the data

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26
Q

what is the measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion for nominal data?

A

measure of central tendency = mode
measure of dispersion for = none

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27
Q

what is the measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion for ordinal data?

A

measure of central tendency = median
measure of dispersion for = range

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28
Q

what is the measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion for interval data?

A

measure of central tendency = mean
measure of dispersion for = standard deviation

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29
Q

what is the definition of significance level

A

the point at which you reject or accept the hypothesis

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30
Q

what is the significance level in psychology?

A

less than or equal 0.05
this means that the chance that the result is a fluke has to be equal to or less than 5%.

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31
Q

what is a lab experiment?

A

an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV while maintaining strict control over extraneous variables

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32
Q

what is a field experiment?

A

an experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the research manipulates the IV and records its effect on the DV

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33
Q

what is a natural experiment?

A

an experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but the researcher records the effect the IV has on the DV.

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34
Q

what is a quasi experiment?

A

an experiment in which the IV has not been determined by anyone - the variable simply exists. the researcher records the effect the IV has on the DV whilst maintaining strict control over extraneous variables

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35
Q

evaluate lab experiments

A

+ same standardised procedure
- low ecological validity -do not represent real life
–> Hawthorne effect

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36
Q

evaluate field experiments

A

+ high ecological validity- less artificial
- hard to control extraneous variables
- not always possible to obtain informed consent

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37
Q

evaluate natural experiments

A

+ high external validity - involve the study of real life issues
+ provides opportunities that would otherwise be unethical to manipulate
- the researcher is not in control of the variables
- no informed consent

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38
Q

evaluate quasi experiments

A

+ they have a standardised procedure
+ high control over extraneous variables
- researchers cannot randomly allocate ptsps to conditions

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39
Q

what is a self report technique

A

a method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings/ behaviours/ opinions

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40
Q

state two self report techniques

A

questionnaires
interviews

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41
Q

state the two types of questions used in questionnaires

A

open questions
closed questions

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42
Q

evaluate open questions

A

+ produce qualitative data which is rich in detail
- difficult to analyse

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43
Q

evaluate closed questions

A

+ produce quantitative data that is easy to analyse
- lacks depth and detail

44
Q

evaluate questionnaires

A

+ cost effective
- may be errors if rushed - if done too quickly

45
Q

state the three types of interviews

A
  1. structured
  2. unstructured
  3. semi-structured
46
Q

evaluate structured interviews

A

+ easy to replicate
- unhelpful because it does not allow ptsps to elaborate

47
Q

evaluate unstructured interviews

A

+ much more flexible than unstructured, allows you to go more in-depth on a particular topic
- analysis of data is more difficult

48
Q

state 5 things to avoid in interviews

A

1- overuse of jargon
2- emotive language
3- leading questions
4- double barrelled questions
5- double negatives

49
Q

state the three types of closed questions

A
  1. likert scale (faces)
  2. rating scale (1-5)
  3. fixed choice (yes/no)
50
Q

what is a naturalistic observation|?

A

watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.

51
Q

evaluate naturalistic observations

A

+ high external validity (ecological)
- lack of control over the research makes replication more difficult

52
Q

what is a controlled observation?

A

watching and recording behaviour within a structures environment

53
Q

evaluate controlled observations

A

+ replication is easier, high internal validity
- produces findings that mat not be easily applied to real life settings low external validity

54
Q

what is a covert observation?

A

observation in which ptsps behaviour is watched without their consent

55
Q

evaluate covert observations

A

+ natural behaviour increases validity, no social desirability
- no consent -> ethical issue

56
Q

what is a overt observation?

A

observation where the ptsps behaviour is watched with their consent

57
Q

evaluate overt observations

A

+ more ethically acceptable
- hawthorn effect- The Hawthorne effect refers to people’s tendency to behave differently when they become aware that they are being observed

58
Q

what is a participant observation ?

A

when the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording

59
Q

evaluate participant observations

A

+ the researcher can experience the situation as the ptsps do, increased insight –> increases validity
- researchers may identify too strongly with ptsps and become ‘ too niave’

60
Q

what is a non participant observation

A

an observation where the researcher remains outside the group

61
Q

evaluate participant observations

A

+ allows researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance
- may lose valuable insight gained by participant observations

62
Q

what is a case study

A
  • detailed study of a single individual or group.
  • information gained from a range of sources
  • done over a long period of time.
  • qualitative data collected
63
Q

evaluate case studies

A

+ offers rich in depth data
+ used to investigate instances where it would otherwise be unethical to manipulate the variables
- cannot be generalised to the rest of the population

64
Q

what is behavioural sampling

A

when a target sample is broken up into its components that are observable and measurable

65
Q

what is event sampling

A

when a target sample or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs

66
Q

what is time sampling

A

when a target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame

67
Q

evaluate event sampling

A

+ useful when target behaviour happens quite frequently
- if the event is too complex, the observer may overlook important details

68
Q

evaluate time sampling

A

+ reduces number of observations that have to be made
- may be unrepresentative of the observation as a whole

69
Q

what is content analysis?

A

a form of observational study in which behaviour is observed indirectly by looking at the content of things produced by people in written or verbal materials

70
Q

explain the two stages of content analysis

A
  1. coding - categorising large data into meaningful units
    ( qualitative -> quantitative )
  2. thematic analysis - process of identifying themes which may only merge once data has been coded
    ( quantitative -> qualitative )
71
Q

evaluate content analysis

A

+ it avoids issue of demand as ptsps are unaware they are taking part
+ very easy to replicate
- analysis is limited to availability of material
- interpretation of data may be subjective so the researcher may chose to interpret it in a way that would best suit their hypithesis

72
Q

what is an extraneous variable?

A

any variable other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV if not controlled

73
Q

what is a cofounding variable ?

A

a variable that varies systematically with the IV which may affect the DV. this means that the researcher does not know if the change in the DV was because of the IV or the cofounding variable

74
Q

what is opportunity sampling?

A

sampling method that consists of taking the sample from people who are available at the time that the study is carried out

75
Q

what is volunteer sampling?

A

a sampling method that consists of ptsps becoming a part of the study because they volunteered when asked

76
Q

What is the localisation of function?

A

The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours, processes and activities

77
Q

what is systematic sampling

A

a sampling method which involves identifying everyone in the target population and then selecting ptsps using a predetermined system eg every nth person

78
Q

what is random sampling?

A

a sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of getting chosen

79
Q

what is stratified sampling?

A

a sampling method which involves classifying the population into categories and then choosing a sample which consists of ptsps from each category in the same proportions as they are in the population. once subgroups are decided the ptsps go through a random sampling

80
Q

Where is the motor area found ?

A

Frontal lobe

81
Q

What is the motor area used for

A

Movement

82
Q

What is the Broca’s area used for ?

A

Speech production

83
Q

Where is the Broca’s area found ?

A

Frontal lobe in the left hemisphere

84
Q

Where is Wernicke’s area ?

A

Temporal lobe

85
Q

What is wernicke’s area responsible of ?

A

Language comprehension

86
Q

What is the auditory area responsible of ?

A

Analysis of speech based information

87
Q

Where is the auditory area found?

A

Temporal lobe

88
Q

Where is the somatosensory area found ?

A

Parietal lobe

89
Q

What is the somatosensory area used for

A

Processes sensory information

90
Q

What is the visual area used for ?

A

Receives and processes visual information

91
Q

What is hemispheric lateralisation

A

The idea that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and that certain mental processes and behaviour and mainly controlled by one hemisphere

92
Q

Where is the visual area found ?

A

Occipital lobe

93
Q

What is the split brain procedure?

A

• 11 ppl who had the split brain used a specialised set up
• in which there is a screen with a dot in the middle and an image could be projected to the ptsps RVF
• the same or different image could be projected on the LVF

94
Q

What is split Brain research ?

A

• A series of studies
• began in 1960s
• involving ppl with epilepsy who had experienced a surgical separation of the two hemispheres
• enables researchers to test lateral functions of the brain in isolation

95
Q

What is the spilt brain procedure findings?

A

-When a pic is shown in the ptsps RVF they could describe it
- when a pic. I shown to the ptsps LVF they could not describe it
- although the ptsps could not give verbal labels to the object projected to their LVF, they could select a matching object out of sight using hr left hand
- their left hand was also to select an object that was most closely associated with an object presented to the LVF.

96
Q

What is plasticity ?

A

The brains tendency to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning. This generally involved the growth of new connections

97
Q

what is functional recovery?

A

A form of plasticity following damage through trauma. The brains ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area to other undamaged areas

98
Q

what Is synaptic pruning?

A

When rarely used connections are deleted and frequently used connections are strengthened

99
Q

how do post mortem examinations work?

A

The brain is analysed after death to determine whether certain observed behaviour during the patients lifetime can be limited to abnormalities in the brain

100
Q

how do fMRI work

A

-It measure brain activity while a person is performing a task.
-When a brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen
-FMRI scan detects which areas have the lowest concentration of oxygen
-A 3D image showing which part of the brain is involved in particular mental process is produced

101
Q

what are the four ways of studying the brain?

A

fMRI
EEG
ERP
Post mortem examination

102
Q

evaluate post mortem scans?

A

+ useful for ppl like Broca and Wernicke before scans were involved
+ useful for the study of HM’s case
- ethical issues
- relation not causation

103
Q

evaluate fMRI scans

A

+ no radiation used
+ virtually risk free
+non invasive
+very high spatial resolution
- expensive
- low temporal resolution (time lag )

104
Q

How do EEG’s work

A

-Using a fixed skull cap, electrical activity is measured
-the scan represents brain wave pattern generated from millions of neurones
- this provides an overall account of brain activity that can be used to indicate unusual rhythms

105
Q

Evaluate EEG’s

A

+ useful studying sleep
+ high temporal resolution
+ real world usefulness
+ cheaper than fMRI
- cannot pinpoint individual neurones
- cannot distinguish between adjacent location in the brain

PSYCHOLOGY (8 decks)

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