research methods lessons 6-11

Question 1

what is random sampling

Answer 1

when every member of target population has the same chance of being selected. names in a hat

Question 2

evaluation of random sampling

Answer 2

advantages: if target population is large then results can be generalised and there is no researcher bias.
disadvantages: not all members selected may be available making it unreliable. difficult to get full details

Question 3

what is systematic sampling

Answer 3

process of taking every Nth person from a list

Question 4

evaluation of systematic sampling

Answer 4

advantages: more simple as only requires list
disadvantages: not all pps will be willing to take part

Question 5

what is stratified sampling

Answer 5

classifying population into categories (characteristics) and randomly choosing sample from each category

Question 6

evaluation of stratified sampling

Answer 6

advantages: sample is representative as all groups included
disadvantages: very time consuming

Question 7

what is opportunity sampling

Answer 7

selecting pps who are readily available and willing to take part

Question 8

evaluation of opportunity sampling

Answer 8

advantages: most easiest and practical method
disadvantages: high chance sample is not representative. ppl may feel obliged to

Question 9

what is volunteer sampling

Answer 9

when people are asked to pps or see it on adverts

Question 10

evaluation of volunteer sampling

Answer 10

advantages: saves time and effort as only need to put out advert
disadvantages: certain type of people volunteer such as enthusiastic

Question 11

what is a pilot study

Answer 11

an initial run through of experiment using a few people to save time and spot ambiguities

Question 12

evaluation of pilot study

Answer 12

advantages: finds early flaws before it becomes major
disadvantages: takes resources and problem may not flag up

Question 13

what is an experimental condition

Answer 13

group exposed to independent variable

Question 14

what is control condition

Answer 14

group receives no treatment

Question 15

what is standardisation

Answer 15

using same formalised procedures

Question 16

what is random allocation

Answer 16

independent groups design to give pps same chance of being chosen

Question 17

what is independent groups design

Answer 17

pps randomly allocated to condition like drawing from hat

Question 18

evaluation of independent groups design

Answer 18

advantages: order effects don’t occur as different pps in each condition. demand characteristics reduced
disadvantages: more pps needed. results may be due to individual differences rather than independent variable

Question 19

what is repeated measures design

Answer 19

each pps is tested in each condition

Question 20

evaluation of repeated measures design

Answer 20

advantages: no individual differences. half as many pps needed.
disadvantages: order effects may occur. to combat use counterbalancing. demand characteristics likely

Question 21

what is matched pairs design

Answer 21

different pps used in all conditions but pps matched by characteristics

Question 22

evaluation of matched pairs design

Answer 22

advantages: less risk of order effects and individual differences less likely to occur
disadvantages: twice number of pps required and is more difficult and time consuming

Question 23

what is external reliability

Answer 23

results are consistent. test-retest used to assess which is conducted once and then again in the future

Question 24

what is internal reliability

Answer 24

whether results are consistent within itself. split-half technique used where questionnaire split in two

Question 25

validity definitions

Answer 25

external - findings generalised to other settings participant - study generalised to target population temporal - study generalised to people in contemporary society internal - outcome is direct result of manipulation of IV upon DV

Question 26

extraneous variables that need to be controlled

Answer 26

participant variable: characteristics which may affect DV. to overcome use matched pairs or repeated measures design. situational variables: factors in environment which may affect DV. to overcome use standardisation experimenter variables: experimenter which can affect the DV. use standardised instructions

Question 27

what are investigator effects

Answer 27

when characteristics of investigator influence pps behaviour. e.g observer bias and interviewer effects overcome using double blind technique.

Question 28

what are demand characteristics

Answer 28

when pps guess aims of study. to overcome use single blind technique

Question 29

what is ethics committee

Answer 29

made of research departments and they approve research proposals

Question 30

what is informed consent

Answer 30

when person gives their consent and under 16 must get from parent

Question 31

ways to deal with lack of informed consent

Answer 31

presumptive consent: consent gained from people of similar background to pps prior general consent: when pps agree to being deceived without knowing when or how retrospective consent: asking pps for consent after if they reject then destroy data

Question 32

what to do if pps is experiencing harm in experiment

Answer 32

psychologist should stop experiment immediately and ask if they are able to continue

Question 33

advantages of posting work in journal

Answer 33

good reputation so is well trusted wide range of exposure recognition gets given

Question 34

what is peer review

Answer 34

psychologist sends work to another psychologist so work is independently scrutinised. work considered for publishing. double bind peer review process occurs. if research doesn’t meet standard then it isn’t published

Question 35

what is open access online peer reviews

Answer 35

where new knowledge is viewed online by scientific community and the general public. readers can leave comments and rate articles

Question 36

evaluation of peer review

Answer 36

advantages: acts as a filter so only high quality research published, checked by fellow experts. when double blind it’s reliable disadvantages: process is slow. can be unfair as some people have connection. some journals are more prestigious

Question 37

relation between psychology and economy

Answer 37

social change improving memory attachment mental health