research methods- lecture 2

Question 1

correlations

Answer 1

positive correlation- increase of both variables

negative correlation- decrease of both variables

no correlation- variables are different

Question 2

strengths of correlational studies

Answer 2

cheap and easy to run, can explore initial associations between variables

Question 3

limitations of correlational studies

Answer 3

cant infer causality due to- unsure of direction, potential influence of other variables

Question 4

longitudinal studies

Answer 4

• well used in developmental research
• takes measures from ppts at 2 points in time e.g. steffans et al
• looks at how measures taken at one time point predicts measures taken later on

Question 5

strengths of longitudinal studies

Answer 5

can get an idea of a direction of a relationship, can look at relationships that take a long time to emerge

Question 6

limitations of longitudinal studies

Answer 6

dificult and costly to run, still cannot say 1 variable causes the other

Question 7

experimental studies

Answer 7

• vary the experience of ppts
• assess how this varied experience influences thoughts, feelings, behaviours etc
• within ppts design- repeated measures- ppts complete all conditions- possible demand characteristics
• between ppts design- ppts randomly allocated to 1 condition (independent groups)

Question 8

strengths of experimental studies

Answer 8

can infer causality

Question 9

limitations of experimental studies

Answer 9

cannot manipulate all variables, ethics, dependent on adequacy of the design, can be some inconsistencies between studies

Question 10

meta analysis

Answer 10

• finds as many studies as possible on topic in the existing literature using diff designs samples methods etc
• combines data from across all studies to see if relationship exists

Question 11

strengths of meta analysis

Answer 11

combined data from numerous different studies, overcomes limitations of each individual study

Question 12

limitations of meta analysis

Answer 12

results that show no differences unlikely to be published, effect does not exist, not enough people in the study to find effect, badly designed study, may make relationships look larger than they are

Question 13

qualitative methods

Answer 13

analyse textual data

Question 14

strengths of qualitative methods

Answer 14

obtain in depth info from ppt, can explain new areas

Question 15

limitations of qualitative methods

Answer 15

social desirability, people may not understand their behaviour