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Psychology > Research Methods L1 - 4 > Flashcards

Research Methods L1 - 4 Flashcards

1
Q

Independent Variable and its purpose:

A

Variable that the researcher manipulates in order to determine its effect on the dependent variable

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2
Q

What is it called when the independent variable is divided into levels?

A

Experimental conditions eg. 10g, 20g, 30g

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3
Q

Control condition:

A

IV is not manipulated at all

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4
Q

Dependent variable:

A

Variable that is being measured

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5
Q

Confounding variable

A

Any variables, other than IV, that have affected the DV

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5
Q

What does a successful experiment require and what does this mean?

A
  • Operationalised IV and DV
  • Operationalisation = Defining the variables and stating how they will be measured
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6
Q

Laboratory experiment:

A
  • An experiment carried out in controlled conditions, allowing high control over IV and elimination of EV
  • Pps randomly allocated to a condition using bias-free method
  • Conducted in artificial setting
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7
Q

Extraneous variable (give example):

A

Other variables the experimenter wants to hold constant eg. Pp’s personal experiences

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8
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments:

A

+ Highly controlled IV
+ Cause and effect relationship can be established
+ Reliable results
- Demand characteristics including social desirability bias
- Often lack mundane realism/ecological validity

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9
Q

Social desirability bias:

A

Participants behave in a more positive light than normal

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10
Q

Mundane realism:

A

Extent to which an experiment reflects real life

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11
Q

Field experiment:

A

Experiment carried out in natural setting

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12
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of field experiments:

A

+ Greater mundane realism/ecological validity
+ Cause and effect relationship can be established
+ Less chance for demand characteristics
- Less control over EV
- Less control over sample (may not be representative)
- May be unreliable and difficult to replicate

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13
Q

Sample:

A

Whoever is taking part in experiment

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14
Q

Natural experiment:

A
  • An experiment where the researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV (not directly caused by the experimenter) eg. single-sex schools
  • Participants already meet the conditions of experiment
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15
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment:

A

+ High level of mundane realism/ecological validity
+ Very useful when it is impossible/unethical to manipulate IV
- Low control over EV
- Difficult to replicate/unreliable results
- Difficult to establish cause and effect relationship

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16
Q

Quasi experiment:

A
  • An experiment where IV is naturally occurring and exists all the time eg. Age, gender
  • Usually take place in lab
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17
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Quasi experiments:

A

+ High level of control over IV
+ Replication is very likely
- Lack of ecological validity
- Demand characteristics may be shown

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18
Q

Observation:

A

When a researcher watches/listens to pps engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied

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19
Q

Non-participant observation:

A

When researcher does not get directly involved with the interactions of the pps or participate in their activities

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20
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Non-participant observation:

A

+ Won’t risk missing details as they only have one sole responsibility
+ Demand characteristics may be shown as pps may notice they are being observed
- Lack a deeper understanding of observed behaviour as they are not involved

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21
Q

Participant Observation:

A

When researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the pps and participates in their activities

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22
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Participant observation:

A

+ Psychologist has an understanding of the activities themselves
- May miss details as they have multiple things to do
- Risk of bias as objectivity may be lost

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23
Q

Covert observation:

A
  • Psychologist goes undercover and does not reveal their true identity
  • May give themselves a new identity
24
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Covert observation:

A

+ Demand characteristics will not be shown
- Ethical issues of deception

25
Q

Overt observation:

A
  • Psychologist reveals their true identity
26
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Overt observation:

A

+ No ethical issues as deception is avoided
+ Participants can give fully informed consent
- Demand characteristics (observer effects) may be shown

27
Q

Naturalistic observation:

A
  • Participants are observed in their natural environment
  • No deliberate manipulation of IV
28
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Naturalistic observation:

A

+ Reduced chance of observer effect
+ High mundane realism
+ Useful when it is unethical/impractical to manipulate IV
- No control over EV
- Cause and effect relationship cannot be established
- Risk of observer bias due to lack of control

29
Q

Controlled observation:

A
  • Researcher observes pps in a controlled environment
  • Allows for manipulation of IV
30
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Controlled observation:

A

+ Cause and effect can be determined due to high control
+ EV can be controlled
+ Likely to yield rich and detailed qualitative data
- Lack of mundane realism
- Observer effects can occur
- Risk of observer bias

31
Q

Two types of sampling procedures:

A
  • Event sampling
  • Time-interval sampling
32
Q

Event sampling:

A
  • All occurrences of the types of behaviour the researcher is interested in is recorded
  • Any other behaviour is ignored
33
Q

Time-interval sampling:

A
  • Observation only takes place during specific time periods
  • Occurrences are only measured in this time frame
34
Q

Self-report techniques:

A

Research methods where pp gives info about themselves w/out researcher interference

35
Q

Interviews:

A

Researcher asks questions in face-to-face situations

36
Q

3 types of interviews:

A

1) Structured
2) Unstructured
3) Semi-structured

37
Q

Structured interview:

A
  • Same questions asked in same order
  • Provides quantitative data
  • Usually has closed questions
38
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of structured interview:

A

+ Question can be repeated to aid understanding
+ Quick
- Risk of interviewer effect
- Lack qualitative data

39
Q

Unstructured interview:

A
  • Informal in-depth conversational exchange
  • Questions are not pre-planned but may consist of themes
  • Provides qualitative data
  • Usually open questions about opinions
40
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interview:

A

+ Useful for investigating sensitive/controversial topics
- Risk of social desirability bias
- Interviewers must be well-trained, which can be time-consuming and expensive

41
Q

Semi-structured interview:

A
  • Mixture of structured + unstructured techniques
  • Produces both qualitative + quantitative data
  • Closed + open questions
  • Some questions are pre-planned, others are based on themes
42
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of semi-structured interview:

A

+ Includes best of both methods
+ Quicker than unstructured interviews
- Risk of social desirability bias
- Answers may be irrelevant to interview topic
- Risk of interviewer effect
- Responses may be harder to analyse

43
Q

Closed questions:

A
  • Pps either answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses
  • Quantitative data
44
Q

Open questions:

A
  • Pp can answer in their own words
  • Qualitative data
45
Q

Interviewer effect:

A

Where an interviewer may inadvertently affect respondent’s answers due to factors such as manner and appearance

46
Q

Qualitative data:

A

Non-numerical data that uses words to give a description of what ppl think and feel

47
Q

Quantitative data:

A

Data that represents how much there is of something

48
Q

Questionnaire:

A
  • Pps are given a written set of questions and instructions about how to record their answers
  • Can be self-administered, delivered by post, Internet or face-to-face
49
Q

What factors should be considered when designing a questionnaire?

A
  • Type of data required –> qualitative/quantitative affects whether open/closed questions are asked
  • Ambiguity –> avoid vague questions
  • Double barrelled questions –> Avoid 2 in 1 questions
  • Leading questions
  • Complexity –> avoid jargon
50
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires:

A

+ Quick, easy + cheap compared to interviews
+ Possible to have large sample
+ Easy to replicate/ Reliable results
- Questions can be ambiguous
- No researcher present so ambiguous questions cannot be clarified + pps cannot be reminded to fill in questionnaires (could be unanswered/ filled in and unreturned)
- Can have low response rate if sent by post

51
Q

Correlation:

A

Technique for analysing strength of relationship between 2 quantitative variables (co-variables)

52
Q

Positive correlation:

A

As one variable increases, the other variable also increases

53
Q

Negative correlation:

A

As one variable increases, the other decreases

54
Q

No correlation:

A

No relationship between the 2 variables

55
Q

What is the range of numbers for the strength of a correlation, which refers to a strong positive, strong negative and no correlation and what is the strength of a correlation known as?

A
  • Range: -1 to 1
  • Strong positive is closer to 1
  • Strong negative is closer to -1
  • No correlation is zero
  • Strength of correlation = Correlation coefficient
56
Q

What are correlations plotted on?

A

Scatter graph/ scattergram

57
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of correlations:

A

+ Strength of relationship can be established + precisely measured
+ Allow researchers to investigate things that would be unethical/impractical to manipulate experimentally
+ Predictions can be made about one of the variables based on info about the other variable
- Cause and effect unclear (correlation or causation?)
- Possible 3rd unknown variable involved rather than a correlation
- Can only measure linear relationships not curvilinear ones

58
Q

Curvilinear relationships:

A

Positive relationship up to one point but then the relationship becomes negative

Psychology (22 decks)

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