Research methods - Ms G side

Question 1

Correlation

Answer 1

A research method which indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between 2 or more co-variables.

Question 2

Strengths and limitations of correlations

Answer 2

Strengths: -provides a precise measure of how the 2 variables are related which allows us to see certain patterns. -Quick and easy to carry out as secondary data can be used.
Limitations: - lack of control and manipulation of these variables = cant tell us why they are related.
- can be misused/misinterpreted which makes it less accurate.

Question 3

Aim

Answer 3

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate providing the purpose of the study.

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A precise, testable statement stating the clear relationship between the variables.

Question 5

Pilot Study

Answer 5

A small-scale trial run of the actual investigation before actually attempting it.

Question 6

Ethics

Answer 6

When a conflict or dilemma exists between the participants’ rights and the researchers goal.

Question 7

What are the 4 major principles of the BPS code of ethics?

Answer 7

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Competence
• Integrity

Question 8

What are the 6 main ethical issues?

Answer 8

• Protection from physical and psychological harm
• Deception
• Informed consent
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Right to withdraw

Question 9

Peer review

Answer 9

Assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field, to ensure that any research intended for publication is of high quality.

Question 10

What are the main aims of peer review?

Answer 10

• To allocate research funding
• To validate the quality and relevance of the research
• To suggest amendments or improvements

Question 11

Evaluation of peer review

Answer 11

• Anonymity
• Publication bias
• Burying ground-breaking research

Question 12

What are the measures that are part of descriptive statistics?

Answer 12

• Measures of central tendency ( mean, mode, median)

- Measures of dispersion ( range and standard deviation)

Question 13

Advantages and disadvantages of range

Answer 13

Adv= Easy to calculate
Dis= Doesn't include all numbers

Question 14

Standard deviation

Answer 14

The measure of the average spread of the scores around the mean.

Question 15

What is a distribution?

Answer 15

A graph that is plotted to represent the average and spread of particular characteristics about the population.

Question 16

Normal distribution

Answer 16

• shaped like a bell
• symmetrical
• mean, median and mode are all the same
• width of curve is defined by standard deviation

Question 17

Positive skew

Answer 17

• data clustered in one area
• majority of scores are at lower end of data set
• skewed to the right

Question 18

Negative skew

Answer 18

• Data clustered in a different area
• Majority of scores are at the higher end of the data set
• Skewed to the left

Question 19

What are levels of measurement?

Answer 19

The difference in the amount of information provided by the quantitative data.
( Nominal, ordinal, interval)

Question 20

Nominal

Answer 20

• most basic level of measurement.
• uses categories and tallies.
• M.O.C.T = mode
• M.O.D = N/A

Question 21

Ordinal

Answer 21

• data is rated and ranked on a scale
• M.O.C.T = median
• M.O.D = range

Question 22

Interval

Answer 22

• data that is measured on a scale with precise and equal intervals between units
• M.O.C.T = Mean
• M.O.D = Standard deviation

Question 23

What is the purpose of statistical testing?

Answer 23

• To validate the research and significance.

- To check if anything was a coincidence or a fluke.

Question 24

Under which conditions would the sign test be used?

Answer 24

• Am I testing for a relationship or a difference?
• Which experimental design have I used?
• What levels of measurement have I used?

Question 25

What is a significance level?

Answer 25

The point at which the researcher can claim to have discovered a significant difference or correlation within the data.