Research Methods L1-4

Question 1

What is the independent and dependent variable?

Answer 1

IV- variable that the researcher manipulates to determine its effect on the DV. May be divided into levels called experimental conditions.
May be a control condition to provide a standard to compare experimental conditions against.
DV- variable being measured.

Question 2

What is operationalisation?

Answer 2

Defining the variables in such a way to make them measurable.
The IV and DV should be operationalised.

Question 3

What are extraneous and confounding variables?

Answer 3

EV- any variables other than the IV that COULD affect the DV.

CV- any variables other than the IV that HAVE affected the DV

Question 4

Explain laboratory experiments.

Answer 4

• are carried out in controlled environment.
• therefore allows researcher to exert high level of control over the IV and eliminate any EV.
• researcher can measure the change in the DV caused by their manipulation of the IV.
• pps randomly allocated to a condition to prevent any bias.

Question 5

Advantages of laboratory experiments.

Answer 5

1. High level of control means it is easy to control for any EV and prevent them becoming CV.
2. As the researcher can manipulate the IV, a cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV can be established.
3. Easily replicated by other researchers to see if similar results are obtained.

Question 6

Disadvantages of laboratory experiments.

Answer 6

1. Demand characteristics- is a type of EV.

2. Lacks mundane realism- due to high level of control over IV and EV. Therefore lacks ecological validity.

Question 7

What are field experiments?

Answer 7

• carried out in the real world.

- IV manipulated by researcher to see effect on DV.

Question 8

Advantages of field experiments?

Answer 8

1. More mundane realism and ecological validity.
2. Cause and effect relationship between IV and DV can be established as researcher can manipulate the IV.
3. Less chance of demand characteristics- pps may not know they are taking part in an experiment.

Question 9

Disadvantages of field experiments?

Answer 9

1. Much less control over EV so effect on DV may not be caused by the IV. Therefore research not valid.
2. Less control over the sample of pps.
3. Difficult to replicate.

Question 10

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 10

Experiment in which the researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV to see its effect on the DV.

Question 11

Advantages of natural experiments?

Answer 11

1. High level of mundane realism and ecological validity.

2. Useful when it is difficult/ unethical to manipulate the IV or sample in a lab or field experiment.

Question 12

Disadvantages of natural experiments?

Answer 12

1. Less control over EV.
2. Difficult to replicate.
3. Difficult to determine cause and effect due to risk of EV.

Question 13

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 13

• contain a naturally occurring IV which is a difference between people that already exists (eg. Gender, age).
  Researcher examines the effect of this variable on the DV.

Question 14

What is an observation?

Answer 14

When a researcher watches or listens to participants engaging in the behaviour that is being studied.

Question 15

What is participant and non-participant observation?

Answer 15

Participant- when the researcher is directly involves with the interactions of the pps.

Non-participant- researcher does not get directly involved with the interactions of the participants.

Question 16

What is covert and overt observation?

Answer 16

Covert- psychologist goes undercover and does not reveal their true identity. Group doesn’t know they are being observed.

Overt- researcher observes and records behaviour of a group who know they are being observed by the psychologist. Observer effects can occur as pps may change behaviour, so results aren’t valid.

Question 17

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 17

Researcher observes pps in their own environment.

-there is no deliberate manipulation of the IV.

Question 18

Advantages of naturalistic observations?

Answer 18

1. Usually covert observation- pps unaware so less chance of observer effects.
2. High mundane realism and ecological validity.
3. Useful when deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical/impractical.

Question 19

Disadvantages of naturalistic observations?

Answer 19

1. Not possible to have control over EV.
2. Problematic to determine cause of a behaviour.
3. Risk of observer bias- occurs when observer knows aim/hypothesis and this influences their observations.

Question 20

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 20

Researcher observes pps in a controlled environment.

- this allows for manipulation of the IV.

Question 21

Advantages of controlled observations?

Answer 21

1. Cause and effect can be determined.
2. Extraneous variables can be controlled for.
3. Rich and complex information is obtained.

Question 22

Disadvantages of controlled observations?

Answer 22

1. Low mundane realism and ecological validity.
2. Risk of observer effects- due to overt observation.
3. Risk of observer bias.

Question 23

What is quantitative and qualitative data?

Answer 23

Quantitative- data that can be counted or expressed numerically.
Qualitative- non-numerical data that uses words to give a description.

Question 24

What is self-report?

Answer 24

When pps provide details of their own feelings, thoughts or behaviour to the researcher.

Question 25

What is a structured interview?

Answer 25

All pps asked the same questions in the same order. | Provides quantitative data.

Question 26

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 26

An informal in depth conversational exchange between the interviewer and interviewee. Provides qualitative data.

Question 27

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 27

Combines structured and unstructured techniques. | Gives both qualitative and quantitative data.

Question 28

What are the advantages and disadvantages of interviews?

Answer 28

+ complicated/sensitive issues are best dealt within an interview. + if pps misunderstand a question, it can be clarified. - risk of interviewer effects (may happen as result of interviewers gender, appearance or manner). - risk of social desirability bias where people lie to present them self in positive light. Therefore data lacks validity. - training needed (time-consuming, expensive)

Question 29

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 29

- pps given a written set of questions and instructions on how to answer. - mainly focus in individual’s behaviour, opinions, beliefs and attitudes. - can involve open/closed questions.

Question 30

What are open and closed questions?

Answer 30

Open- allow pps to answer in their own words and interpret the question however they wish. A lot of information (qualitative) is received. Closed- require pps to answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses. Quantitative data obtained. Researchers can easily collate and display responses.

Question 31

Advantages of questionnaires?

Answer 31

1. Possible to collect large amount of data quickly and conveniently. 2. Easy to score/collate when questions are closed. 3. Are standardised to they can be replicated easily.

Question 32

Disadvantages of questionnaires?

Answer 32

1. Pps may misunderstand questions- researcher isn’t there to clarify. 2. Questions have low response rate. 3. Can have a biased sample as they can only be suitable for people who are willing to spend time on them. Therefore lacks population validity.

Question 33

What is correlation?

Answer 33

A technique for analysing the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, known as co-variables. Can be positive, negative or no correlation.

Question 34

Explain correlation coefficient.

Answer 34

``` The strength of a correlation is known as the correlation coefficient. The strength is rate between -1 and 1: 0= no correlation. -1= negative. 1= positive. ```

Question 35

Advantages of correlations?

Answer 35

1. Allows psychologists to establish the strength of the relationship between two variables and precisely measure them. 2. Once correlation is found, predictions can be made about one variable based on what is known about the other. 3. Allows researchers to investigate things that could not be manipulated experimentally for ethical/practical reasons.

Question 36

Disadvantages of correlations?

Answer 36

1. Cannot demonstrate cause and effect. Unclear which variable influences the other. 2. May be a third unknown variable which influences both. 3. Can only measure linear relationships, does not detect curvilinear relationships (when positive to a point but then negative).

Question 37

What are the differences between correlations and experiments?

Answer 37

- an experiment isolates and manipulates the IV to observe its effect on the DV. It controls the environment to eliminate EV. The experiments can establish cause and effect. - a correlation identifies a relationship between the variables. It can’t establish cause and effect or eliminate the risk of EV.