Research Methods - Methods and Designs Flashcards
All AS and A2 research methods on the AQA psychology specification are covered as part of this deck
Meta-analysis
Combining the findings from a number of studies on a particular topic for an overall conclusion
A positive correlation is
As one variable increases so does the other
A negative correlation is
As one variable increases the other decreases
Zero correlation is
No relationship between variables
How can we tell the strength of a correlation
How tightly packed the points are around the line of best fit or correlation coefficient
A statistical measure of the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables is known as..
Correlation Coefficient
Correlation Coefficient is between..
+1 and -1
A correlation coefficient of 0.1-0.3 (positive or negative) is what strength relationship?
Weak
A correlation coefficient of 0.4-0.6 (positive or negative) is what strength relationship?
Moderate
A correlation coefficient of 0.7-0.9 (positive or negative) is what strength relationship?
Strong
A correlation coefficient of 1 (positive or negative) is what strength relationship?
A perfect correlation
Name a qualitative method of data analysis
Content analysis or thematic anaylsis
In a content analysis what technique is performed on the data?
Coding
Content analysis converts qualitative data to
Quantitative data
Thematic analysis produces what type of data?
Qualitative
Lab experiment is..
IV is directly manipulated under controlled setting to measure the impact on a DV
Field experiment is
IV is directly manipulated in natural settings to measure the impact on a DV
Natural experiment is
The CHANGE in an IV is natural and would have occurred without the presence of the researcher (e.g. before and after a natural disaster - no direct manipulation by a researcher) DV is measured
a Quasi experiment is
IV is already occurring (e.g. ethnicity) and so cannot be directly manipulated - the impact on DV is measured
Strength of a lab experiment
controlled conditions increase reliability and internal validity
Weakness of a lab experiment
setting isn’t natural = behaviour isn’t natural and results lack ecological validity
strength of a field experiement
Higher ecological valdity
weakness of a field experiment
lacks control and internal validity
strength of a natural experiment
high external validity, unique study opportunity
weakness of a natural experiment
rare, less likelihood of causality
strength of a quasi experiment
unique insight free from manipulation (less demand characteristics)
weakness of a quasi experiment
cannot randomly allocate - less chance of causality (participant variables)
Naturalistic observation is
conducted in natural settings