Research methods booklet two Flashcards

Question

What are the advantages of closed questions?

Answer 1

Easier to statistically analyse as we can translate this data into graphs and charts which allows us to make scientific conclusions

Answer 2

They are restricted with set answers they have to give so cannot give their own detailed account

Answer 3

Involve pts giving information to researchers about views, opinions or attitudes on a specific topic Pts typically respond to questions on a questionnaire or during an interview They can be structured or unstructured Researchers need to use a combination of both open and closed questions The researcher needs to select a large representative sample

Answer 4

Data can be collected in multiple forms so it is a cost effective mean of collecting data Efficient way of collecting reliable data as researchers can easily analyse the data

Answer 5

The internal validity is compromised by social desirability as respondents may try to create a favourable impression of themselves - participant EV Population validity is often lowered by sampling biases as the representativeness of the sample can be reduced depending on how the questionnaire is distributed or the sampling technique

Answer 6

Allocating pts to experimental conditions by putting all the names on paper, then placing in a hat. This reduces pt variability and sampling bias

Answer 7

When a pt is unaware of the condition they are put in or the aim of the experiment. This reduces demand characteristics as they do not know the purpose.

Answer 8

When neither the pt nor the experimenter know the true aim of the experiment as it is conducted by a research assistant. This avoids researcher bias and demand characteristics.

Answer 9

Same detailed instructions put in place for the duration of the experiment so it can be easily replicated. This enables the experiment to be more reliable.

Answer 10

It is an in-depth investigation of one person or a small group of people. They involve naturally occurring events It can be longitudinal or retrospective A range of information is gathered, such as relationships, medical history and economic status A number of methods to gather information is used, such as interviews, observations and psychological tests

Answer 11

Rich and detailed information is gathered using a variety of research methods. A large amount of data is gathered and we are given a complete picture. Better than lab.

Answer 12

Involves written answers that need to be categorised into themes which may introduce subjectivity from the researcher. Background, training or personality may influence how they record data which lowers scientific basis.

Answer 13

Results come from a small group of people so are not representative. We cannot be sure of the similarity between people, and it is hard to replicate and compare.

Answer 14

Situation is unique and does not incorporate standardised procedures. Other researcher's data may contradict the findings.

Answer 15

Data comes directly from people concerned and is gathered from their natural surroundings. Nothing is artificial.

Answer 16

Pts may feel that they can't withdraw as the researcher has invested so much time in them. Pts may feel that they weren't protected from harm.

Answer 17

Systematic measurement of spontaneously occurring behaviour Conducted in a controlled or naturalistic environment Can be structured and unstructured Researcher will produce a coding system with behavioural categories

Answer 18

Takes place in pts natural environment. In most cases pts are not aware that they are being observed, so they behave more naturally and results will have ecological validity

Answer 19

Takes place in an environment which allows for control over variables

Answer 20

The data is gathered using a pre-written collection grid to record the frequency the behaviours have occurred (behavioural categories)

Answer 21

The researcher uses direct observation to record behaviours as they occur and have no predetermined plan of what will be observed. This will usually be in the form of a transcript.

Answer 22

High levels of control over extraneous variable so high level of reliability

Answer 23

Could lead to demand characteristics Artificial so low ecological validity

Answer 24

High level of ecological validity Minimises demand characteristics as they are unaware that they are being observed

Answer 25

No control over extraneous variables Ethical issues as they have not given consent

Answer 26

When the psychologist does not participate at all with the group and simply observes

Answer 27

When the psychologist joins in the behaviour of the group so we can feel what it is like to be in their shoes

Answer 28

Allows researcher to observe behaviour that might otherwise be out of reach High ecological validity as generally covert

Answer 29

Makes observations more subjective If overt participation, it may lead to altered behaviour

Answer 30

Reduces the chance that the researcher will affect behaviour Can use behaviour checklist in real time and not rely on memory

Answer 31

May be harder to observe all pts due to distance Certain categories of behaviour are not observable

Answer 32

Where the participants know that they are being studied and that an observation is taking place

Answer 33

The researcher does not tell the group that they are being studied

Answer 34

Increases ecological validity as real behaviour is not altered

Answer 35

Ethical issues as you do not have consent

Answer 36

Eliminates possible ethical problems

Answer 37

Danger of reducing reliability due to demand characteristics

Answer 38

A target behaviour is chosen, and the researcher records how many times this behaviour or event occurs

Answer 39

All data is recorded as there are no intervals

Answer 40

May be difficult to record every event across the whole of the observation

Answer 41

Researcher records behaviour at regular time intervals. Records for a fixed amount of time, and then fixed intervals

Answer 42

Provides consistent data

Answer 43

Not all data is recorded so key data could be missed

Answer 44

Useful for gathering more detailed information and enables a more natural and flexible approach to questioning. The interviewer has certain topics that they want to cover but pts still give information about their views, opinions or attitudes towards a certain topic Can be structured, unstructured or semi structured Can use open or closed questions

Answer 45

Interviewer will mostly ask questions which have been pre-written, but sometimes may add follow up questions to clarify a response. Can be closed or open, but follow a set format Quantitative data

Answer 46

The interviewer will have very few predetermined questions, but a number of topics that they want to explore. More like a conversations and the questions tend to be open. Qualitative data

Answer 47

Aims to explore some themes and has set questions. The interviewer is allowed to explore some of these areas further based upon the interviewees' initial responses

Answer 48

Allows for detailed information to be obtained as they use a combination of opened and closed questions. More useful than questionnaires as we can identify body language and other non-verbal behaviours, so a skilled interviewer can gather richer data. Semi structured - Encourages the pts to be honest and allows them to express themselves whilst allowing the researcher to analyse the data using graphs.

Answer 49

More time consuming that questionnaires as interviewer has to question one pt at a time. This is more expensive and requires more resources. More difficult to statistically analyse the data from unstructured interviews as it is qualitative, so more subjective

Answer 50

Measures the relationship between two variables Can be positive or negative Can be weak or strong Represented on a scattergram and analysed using Spearman's Rho or Pearson's R.

Answer 51

Represents correlation Quantitative variables - one placed on x and the other placed on y

Answer 52

Is there a relationship between two variables Positive or negative Strong or weak Explain why cause and effect cannot be established

Answer 53

Quantifies the strength of relationships in correlations. + indicates there is a positive correlation between two co-variable and - indicates a negative correlation. It is a strong correlation if it is around +0.8 or -0.8 There is no correlation if the coefficient is 0

Answer 54

Establishes a relationship between two variables when manipulation of the variables is not possible as they are naturally occurring events or traits within people They allow researchers to conduct statistical analysis on situations where manipulation would not be ethical or practical Fairly easy to analyse using scattergrams

Answer 55

Does not establish cause and effect - only a relationship. There may be a third factor affecting the results

Answer 56

Information collected directly from the pts by researchers for their own research aim. This will obtain first-hand knowledge of behaviour to test a specific hypothesis. Questionnaires filled in by pts, observational data of pts behaviour, interviews directly from pts

Answer 57

It fits the criteria needed for the job - interviewers can create the questions specifically to target the information they require. It provides authentic data directly from the pts without any pt or researcher bias

Answer 58

Requires time and efforts from the researcher as experiments can take preparation, planning and resources

Answer 59

Has been collected or created by someone else for their own purposes, but which the researcher can then recycle for their own research aim. It is not directly from pts. Journal articles Websites and national statistics Meta-analysis

Answer 60

Easy accessibility and is inexpensive which makes it an easier method to use than primary data Researcher may find that the information they wanted already exists so there is no need for another investigation

Answer 61

Quality of secondary data may not be accurate compared to your own data May take time to cross check the accuracy of all the findings

Answer 62

Researchers analyse the results of several previous studies by combining results. Purpose is to gain greater confidence in the results because of the larger pool of participants.

Answer 63

Allows us to calculate effect size giving an overall measurement of a difference or relationship between variables Allows us to view data with more confidence

Answer 64

Validity can be poor if the research leaves out non-significant results One poorly conducted study can place the results of the entire meta-analysis at risk

Answer 65

Presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent. Pts should sign a form at the beginning of the procedure or gain consent or guardian if pt is under 18

Answer 66

Must be stated at the start and the end - given cut off point. With children, signs of anxiety means that they wish to withdraw

Answer 67

If info is withheld to protect validity, it must be revealed ASAP after study with the opportunity for pts to ask questions

Answer 68

Should occur within 30 minutes. All deception should be revealed with info about the other conditions + opportunity to ask questions.

Answer 69

Should be effective aftercare - include counselling or referrals to other professionals

Answer 70

Pts should be referred to as numbers, letter or pseudo-names Locations and organisations must be protected

Answer 71

Must maintain up to date CPD and be aware of their responsibilities

Answer 72

In field experiments as people do not know they are in an experiment, or its aim Naturalistic observations as people are unaware that they are being observed

Answer 73

Have it as a lab experiment Seek prior general consent Seek presumptive consent

Answer 74

Knowing aim of the study might change the results due to demand characteristics

Answer 75

Debrief ASAP Remind of rights to withdraw Seek retrospective consent

Answer 76

A psychologist must never knowingly expose a pt to harm or stress, but sometimes they do this unknowingly when harm is unforeseeable

Answer 77

Active intervention - stop experiment with vulnerable pts

Answer 78

Type of data Difference or relationship Design

Answer 79

Chi square Sign test Mann Whitney Wilcoxon Spearman's Rho Unrelated T Test Related T Test Pearson's R Can Simon Make Wonderful Singers Universally Receive Praise

Answer 80

Write out a table displaying the before and after scores of each pt and record whether there is a positive difference or a negative difference Work out your calculated value (s) by adding up all your plus, then all your negatives. Select the smallest value of signs. This is S. The calculated value must be equal to or less than the critical value. N is the total number of + and -. Move along the row to the correct one/two tailed test and probability to find the critical value.

Answer 81

We reject our null hypothesis and accept our experimental hypothesis

Answer 82

Allows people with disorders to stay in work, contribute to the economy through taxation and not claim benefits. Absence from work costs businesses a large amount of money. Successful research may increase investment in research in the UK which will have a positive effect on the economy.

Answer 83

Court cases are expensive, and if they are abandoned due to errors in EWT then money is wasted. If research can increase the likelihood that EWT is accurate this will make best use of personnel and resources. May increase investment into research in the UK which will have a positive effect on the economy.

Answer 84

If the father earns less than the mother he can look after the child and the mother will pay more tax. Gender pay gap is closed more if both mothers and fathers are encouraged to be part of the workforce as employees value both equally. Parental leave is shared and both will contribute to the economy.

Answer 85

In order for the research findings to be shared, they need to be published in academic journals, so it must undergo a quality control process. This involves reviewing the researcher's methodology and making sure the research is credible, valid, reliable and non susceptible to ethical criticism

Answer 86

Scientists study something then write about their results. Journal editor receives an article and sends reviewer comments to the scientists who may then revise and resubmit the article for further review. Editor then sends it out for peer review, who read the article and provide feedback to the editor. If it finally meets editorial and peer standards it is published in a journal.

Answer 87

1 - 3 other anonymous psychologists who are experts in the same field of research

Answer 88

Whether the research method used was suitable Adequate controls have been used to eliminate extraneous variables The scientific procedure has been followed The data collected is appropriate and accurately recorded The interpretation of the findings

Answer 89

It is a flawed process as peer reviewers can be biassed in their recommendations to the journal editor, which can result in valid research being rejected or questionable research being accepted.

Answer 90

Certain prestigious institutions may have their work scrutinised less as there is a positive bias about their work whereas less prestigious institutions may be scrutinised unduly.

Answer 91

If there is no anonymity for the researchers, then experts who have conflicting research might not approve research

Answer 92

If only statistically significant findings are published, then findings that challenge existing research may be overlooked and not published

Answer 93

May still be a gender bias in the work produced by males v females in terms of how much is published in prestigious journals

Answer 94

It allocates funding to worthy institutions. This means that high quality research centres are rewarded for research and given additional resources It allows for scientific fraud to be identified before publication, so fraudulent research is less likely to exist in the public domain.