research methods observations and questionaires Flashcards
what is a controlled observation
take place where variables can be manipulated by experimenter
what is a naturalistic observation
take place in every day environment (normal behaviour)
what is covert observation
participants unaware they are being observed and do not consent
what is overt observation
participants aware they are being observed and do consent
what is participant observation
observers act as group being watched
what is non-participant observation
experimenter does not become apart of group being observed
strengths of controlled observation
Strengths
.reliably control extraneous variables
strengths of naturalistic observation
Strengths
.high ecological validity
strengths of covert observation
Strengths
.Validity
.Demand characteristics
strengths of overt observation
Strengths
.Ethical
strengths of participant observation
Strengths
.Valuable insight
strengths of non-Participant variables
Strengths
.Don’t lose objectivity
what is a questionnaire
a list of pre-determined questions.
Objective/scientific way of collecting data.
what is a interview
where participants answer questions face to face verbally.
strengths of a questionnaire
.Speed
.may be more willing to answer than in a interview
what are the sub types of questionaries
Open-Choose how to answer which gives rich/valid data
Closed-Fixed response and are easy to score
What are the subtypes of interviews
Structured-List of questions pre written, no deviation
Unstructured-few questions pre written, general theme
strengths of a structured interview
Strengths
.Data can be easily summarized/analyzed
.Clear focus of interview
strengths of a unstructured interview
Strengths
.Data is qualitative=detail
.Interesting responses can be probed further
Advantages of interview over questionnaire
.Body language
.Ask to elaborate
.Interpreters for those who speak foreign language
what is independent measures
ppts take part in one condition of the condition of the IV
what is repeated measures
ppts take part in all conditions of the IV
what is matched pairs
ppts are matched in each condition of the IV based on characteristics that may have effect on their performance
strengths of independent measures
.Less order effects
.Less demand characteristics
weaknesses of independent measures
.individual differences
.More ppts required
Strengths of repeated measures
.Less ppts required
.No ppts variables
Weaknesses of repeated measures
.Order effects
.Demand characteristics
Strengths of repeated measures
.ppt variables reduced
.ppts do one condition
.ppts less likely to guess experiment aim
Weaknesses of repeated measures
.ppts cant be exactly matched
.time consuming and expenisve
Weaknesses of controlled observation
.low ecological validity
Weaknesses of controlled observation
.low ecological validity
Weaknesses of naturalistic observation
.unreliable and cant control extraneous variables
Weaknesses of covert observation
.Unethical
Weaknesses of overt observation
.Demand characteristics
.Validity
Weaknesses of participant observation
.Lose of objectivity
Weaknesses of questionnaire’s
.Long time to design
.Wording may lead to incorrect responses
.Social desirability- Choose answers to look good so results inaccurate
Weaknesses of structured interviews
Cannot probe further
.Formal may be less comfortable with participants
Weaknesses of an unstructured interview
.Lack focus
.Skilled interviewer required
.Interviewers expectations may influence answers
Correlation what is it
Between two sets of data means they are related in some way
Positive correlation
Increase in one variable associated with increase in the other
Negative correlation
Increase in one variable associated with decrease in other
Coefficient
Variables measured against each other with no deliberate change.
Indication of relationship between co-variables
Correlation weaknesses
Does not determine cause+effect
