Research methods and techniques - Paper 1

Question 1

Experiments

Answer 1

Establish cause and effect
the independent variable is predicted to affect the dependent variable
Extraneous variables must be controlled so they don’t affect the results

Question 2

Strengths of lab experiments

Answer 2

High control of extraneous variables
Easily replicable
Establish cause and effect

Question 3

Weaknesses of lab experiments

Answer 3

Low ecological validity
Prone to demand characteristics
Potential ethical issues (deception, protection)

Question 4

Strengths of field experiments

Answer 4

High ecological validity
Demand characteristics can be minimised

Question 5

Weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 5

Low control of extraneous variables
Hard to replicate
Hard to record data
Potential ethical issues (consent, withdrawal, protection)

Question 6

Strengths of quasi experiments

Answer 6

Naturally occuring IV
High control
Establish cause and effect

Question 7

Weaknesses of quasi experiments

Answer 7

Hard to replicate
Prone to demand characteristics
Low ecological validity
Potential ethical issues (deception, protection)

Question 8

Demand characteristics

Answer 8

Cues in the environment which indicate the aim of the study to ppts
This may lead to ppts trying to get the desired results or trying to avoid reaching the desired results

Question 9

Social desirability bias

Answer 9

A bias that, during a study, leads people to behave or respond in a way they think is seen as favourable

Question 10

Participant/non participant observations

Answer 10

A participant observation involves the researcher joining the group/situation being observed
In a non participant observation the researcher is not part of the situation being observed
Both of these can be overt or covert

Question 11

Structured/unstructured observations

Answer 11

Structured - uses a specifically designed coding frame for recording behaviour
Unstructured - wide range of unspecified behaviours recorded - any deemed relevant
These can be either overt/covert and participant/non participant

Question 12

Controlled observation

Answer 12

Recording spontaneously occurring behaviours in a scenario set up and controlled by the researcher
Could be in a lab or natural environment
May be covert/overt and participant/non participant

Question 13

Overt observation

Answer 13

When those being observed know they are being observed

Question 14

Covert observation

Answer 14

When those being observed don’t know they are being observed

Question 15

Strengths of observations

Answer 15

Can reveal what people actually do, which differs from what people say they do/would do
Good means of preliminary research/producing hypothesis
Able to capture spontaneous/unexpected behaviour
Usually high ecological validity
Predetermined coding frames make recording behaviour easy

Question 16

Weaknesses of observations

Answer 16

Observer bias (seeing what you want to see)
Badly designed coding frames reduce reliability
Ethical issues with covert observations - deception, consent
Demand characteristics and social desirability bias in overt observations
Observations can’t tell us what people think or feel

Question 17

Questionnaires

Answer 17

Participant answers preset questions
Researcher often doesn’t have to be present

Question 18

Types of interviews

Answer 18

Structured - predominantly closed questions in a fixed order; usually scripted and very standardised
Semi-structured - fixed list of both open and closed questions; researcher will add questions if they need clarification or expansion on a point
Unstructured - usually start with a standardised question; from there, questions depend on ppt’s answers although there are often set topics to cover

Question 19

Strengths of self-report

Answer 19

Large amounts of data generated from a large number of people very quickly, which makes them generalisable and convenient
Questionnaires and structured interviews are highly replicable, so trends can be easily identified
Unstructured interviews allow for in depth qualitative data gathering

Question 20

Weaknesses of self report

Answer 20

Questionnaires and structured interviews lack flexibility - limits qualitative data
Unstructured interviews are impossible to replicate
Responses are very often affected by social desirability bias or demand characteristsics

Question 21

Correlation

Answer 21

Not technically a research method, actually a data analysis technique
Used to check if there is a relationship between two co-variables
Very useful for when a variable cannot be manipulated for practical or ethical reasons
Establishes relationship, not cause and effect

Question 22

Strengths of correlations

Answer 22

Use quantifiable measures of each of the variables being measured
Give information about the relationship between variables
Strong correlations can be a basis for experimental research

Question 23

Weaknesses of correlations

Answer 23

Cannot establish cause and effect
Can be misleading as they can imply cause and effect where there is none