research methods lessons 6-11 Flashcards
what is random sampling
when every member of target population has the same chance of being selected. names in a hat
evaluation of random sampling
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
what is systematic sampling
process of taking every Nth person from a list
evaluation of systematic sampling
advantages: more simple as only requires list
disadvantages: not all pps will be willing to take part
what is stratified sampling
classifying population into categories (characteristics) and randomly choosing sample from each category
evaluation of stratified sampling
advantages: sample is representative as all groups included
disadvantages: very time consuming
what is opportunity sampling
selecting pps who are readily available and willing to take part
evaluation of opportunity sampling
advantages: most easiest and practical method
disadvantages: high chance sample is not representative. ppl may feel obliged to
what is volunteer sampling
when people are asked to pps or see it on adverts
evaluation of volunteer sampling
advantages: saves time and effort as only need to put out advert
disadvantages: certain type of people volunteer such as enthusiastic
what is a pilot study
an initial run through of experiment using a few people to save time and spot ambiguities
evaluation of pilot study
advantages: finds early flaws before it becomes major
disadvantages: takes resources and problem may not flag up
what is an experimental condition
group exposed to independent variable
what is control condition
group receives no treatment
what is standardisation
using same formalised procedures
what is random allocation
independent groups design to give pps same chance of being chosen
what is independent groups design
pps randomly allocated to condition like drawing from hat
evaluation of independent groups design
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
what is repeated measures design
each pps is tested in each condition
evaluation of repeated measures design
advantages: no individual differences. half as many pps needed.
disadvantages: order effects may occur. to combat use counterbalancing. demand characteristics likely
what is matched pairs design
different pps used in all conditions but pps matched by characteristics
evaluation of matched pairs design
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
what is external reliability
results are consistent. test-retest used to assess which is conducted once and then again in the future
what is internal reliability
whether results are consistent within itself. split-half technique used where questionnaire split in two
validity definitions
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
extraneous variables that need to be controlled
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
what are investigator effects
when characteristics of investigator influence pps behaviour. e.g observer bias and interviewer effects
overcome using double blind technique.
what are demand characteristics
when pps guess aims of study. to overcome use single blind technique
what is ethics committee
made of research departments and they approve research proposals
what is informed consent
when person gives their consent and under 16 must get from parent
ways to deal with lack of informed consent
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
what to do if pps is experiencing harm in experiment
psychologist should stop experiment immediately and ask if they are able to continue
advantages of posting work in journal
good reputation so is well trusted
wide range of exposure
recognition gets given
what is peer review
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
what is open access online peer reviews
where new knowledge is viewed online by scientific community and the general public. readers can leave comments and rate articles
evaluation of peer review
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
relation between psychology and economy
social change
improving memory
attachment
mental health
