research methods and techniques Flashcards
experiment, self-report, observation and correlations
what are the 3 types of experiments?
lab, quasi, field/naturalistic
what 7 factors must be included when designing an experiment?
experimental design, lab, field or quasi, hypotheses, sample/sampling, method, ethics, variables
what is a lab experiment?
an experiment carried out in highly controlled environment
what are 2 strengths of lab experiment?
- great control of extraneous variables allows for the procedure to be standardised and allows for repeatability
- able to establish cause and effect confidently due to high control. high internal validity
what are 2 weaknesses of lab experiment?
- unnatural setting may result in unrealistic behaviours leading to low ecological validity. low external validity- can’t be generalised to setting
- researcher often present so demand characteristics may show. low external validity - can’t be generalised to people
what is a field experiment?
when an experiment takes place in an natural environment but a clear IDV and DV have been established
what are 2 strengths of a field experiment?
- behaviour most likely to reflect real life due to natural setting so high ecological validity
- low demand characteristics as P’s may not know they’re being observed
what is a quasi experiment?
an experiment where the IDV cannot be manipulated as it’s naturally occurring or is unethical to manipulate
what are 2 weaknesses of a quasi experiment?
- IDV is naturally occurring so P’s will belong to 1 condition or the other so researcher cannot randomly allocate P’s which can increase individual differences= lacks validity
- often conducted in labs= low ecological validity
what are the 3 types of extraneous variables?
situational, individual differences, researcher effects
situational variables
factors within the environment that effects Ps and their behaviour
individual differences
differences between Ps
researcher effects
when the researcher acts differently to Ps
how can you control extraneous variables? 4
- standardise= procedures are kept the same
- match pair= matched by shared characteristics
- single blind= Ps unaware of the aim
- double blind= P unaware of aim+ researcher unaware of conditions
what is a self report?
data collected that involves asking people to report on their thoughts, feelings, behaviour
what are examples of self reports?
questionnaires, surveys, interviews and rating scales
what is a questionnaire?
set of questions structured to collect info about one of a number of topics
what sampling techniques do questionnaires use? 4
volunteer, opportunity, self-selected, random
what are 3 key points to writing a good questionnaire?
- clarity= questions need to be clear and easy to understand, if question isn’t understood response is meaningless and reduces reliability and validity of answers
- bias= leading questions encourage a desired answer= respondents don’t give their own opinion so no valid data
- analysis= needs both quantitative and qualitative data to understand how ppl behave , the way the q is analyse depends if its open or closed
what are closed questions?
questions that generate numerical data and can be analysed by descriptive stats, restricts respondents answers to a forced choice option
what are the types of closed questions? 5
- semantic differential scale= type of rating scale which measures p’s reaction to stimulus words or concepts using opposite scales
- tick lists= respondent given range of answers and select applicable answers
- select most appropriate answer= respondent given selection and chooses which one closest to them
- rating and attitude scale= respondents asked to give number to represent feelings
- likert scale= respondent given statement ad asked to indicate to the extent they agree/disagree
what are 2 strengths of closed question?
- produces numerical data, comparisons made more easily, more objective data can’t be misinterpreted
- makes data more reliable, increase external reliability (repeatability)
what are 2 weaknesses of closed questions?
- respondent limited answers reducing insightful nature which reduces validity of their answers
- Ps forced to chose certain options so lack interval validity as lacks insight
open questions
invite respondent to answer in an away that doesn’t limit thoughts, feelings and opinions into categories
what are 2 strengths of open ended questions?
- researcher collects qualitative data which provides insight
- in depth data increases internal validity
what are two weaknesses of open questions?
- difficult to make comparisons from data which effects reliability as response will be different
- time consuming and subjective
why are filler questions good?
reduces demand characteristics and social desirability bias (produce answer society would want0
why are easy questions at the start good?
eases Ps in and reduces participant attrition also won’t answer accurately affecting validity
why are pilot studies good for questionnaires?
to ensure clarity and improve reliability and validity of q’s
what ethics are involved in questionnaires? 4
- Ps shouldn’t be asked embarrassing questions (protection from psychological harm)
- should keep Ps anonymous (confidentiality)
- Ps should be aware after it’s submitted they no longer have (right to withdraw) (had at beginning)
- (debrief) at the end and help on issues raised from answering q’s (protection from harm)
what is an interview?
self report technique that involves experimenters asking P’s questions (generally one-on-one) and recording responses
what are structured interviews?
pre-determined q’s set for p’s before interview takes place that don’t deviate from set q’s
what are the strengths of structured interviews?
- standardise which increases reliability
what are the weaknesses of structured interviews?
- ignores lines of interest
- may miss important info
- reduces internal validity
