Research Methods Pt2 Flashcards
What is a MRI scan and what does it do?
Type of scan used to diagnose health conditions that affect organs, tissues and bones.
They use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of inside the body. The scanner consists of a large tube that contains a series of powerful magnets.
The patient lies inside the tube during the scan.
Give an example of a MRI scan being used in research.
Maguire et al:
Aim- to investigate whether or not the hippocampus plays a role in human spatial memory.
Procedure- London taxi drivers with a range of age and experience where the ps as their work requires use of spatial navigational skills. Matched pairs design, ps were age and gender matched with a control group. 2 different types of MRI scanning were used to assess how the brains of the taxi drivers differed from the control group.
Results- taxi cab drivers showed more grey matter in the hippocampus compared to controls.
What are the strengths of MRI scans?
-Extensive research has been conducted and none has found any evidence to suggest any risk from the magnetic fields and radio waves.
-MRI scans are better than PET if patients require several scans as they aren’t exposed to radiation.
What are the weaknesses of MRI scans?
-MRI scans are considered safe however it may provoke people with claustrophobia.
-It is expensive to use for research and isn’t time efficient.
What is a PET scan and what does it do?
You are injected with a radioactive tracer and the photos are taken of the brain and any activity is highlighted. It shows how the brain and its tissues are working and can diagnose cancer or other disorders.
Eg, Raine
What are the strengths of a PET scan?
-They offer high levels of precision and control and so are very scientific and objective.
-It enables us to see brain function as well as structure on live participants as opposed to early reliance on post-mortems which only show brain structure.
What are the weaknesses of PET scans?
-Participants are exposed to some radiation which is ethically questionable.
-Can only be used a few times as it uses radiation and so cannot be repeated.
-It is a very expensive technique and it is often used alongside another type of scan.
What are the strengths of quantitative data?
-It is more objective - less bias as in depth interpretation of data isn’t required.
-It’s easier to collect and analyse for large groups.
What are the weaknesses of quantitative data?
-It’s harder to draw meaningful conclusions as data lacks insight.
-it loses the human view of behaviour as it reduces it down to numbers.
What are the strengths of qualitative data?
-It offers a more individualised human view of behaviour.
-It provides in-depth, detailed data which means we can draw more meaningful conclusions.
What are the weaknesses of qualitative data?
-It’s difficult to analyse and produce graphically and it’s harder to compare.
-It’s open to bias as interpretation of data is required (subjective).
What are the strengths of primary data?
-Data collected is specifically for the aim of the study, so it is definitely suitable.
-We can be certain of the quality of research behind the data.
What are the weaknesses of primary data?
-It takes time and effort. The research must collect data before an analysis.
-Data may lack validity due to social desirability and demand characteristics.
-More expensive due to extra time and effort. Design collection analysis of data needed compared to secondary.
What are the strengths of secondary data?
-It takes less time and effort.
-Data produced without the participant, knowing the artefact would be used in the research could be more valid.
What are the weaknesses of secondary data?
-The data may not exactly fit the aims of the study, research can’t control the format of how data is produced or collected.
-Researcher can’t be sure of the quality of research and so this may compromise the conclusions.
What is the format for writing a psychological report?
Abstract- summary of the study.
Intro- review of previous research, aim, hypothesis.
Method- description of what they did, design, ps, equipment, procedures, ethics.
Results- what they found, descriptive and inferential stats.
Discussion- summary of results of stats test, graphs, charts.
References- list of articles, ciliated, alphabetical.
Appendix- raw data, unused data.
What are the strengths of correlations?
-Can be used when it’s unethical to manipulate variables experimentally.
-Useful for identifying direction/strength of relationship.
What are the weaknesses of correlations?
-Only shows whether there’s a relationship, not how or why they are correlated.
-Cause and effect cannot be established.
What are the strengths of case studies?
-Highly detailed and in-depth data collected.
-May provide insight for further research.
-High ecological validity.
What are the weaknesses of case studies?
-Cannot generalise to the wider population due to uniqueness.
-Very difficult to replicate.
What are the strengths of questionnaires?
-Can be used to assess psychological variables that may not be obvious by observation.
-Quicker than interviews.
-Closed questions produce quantitative data.
-Open questions produce qualitative data.
What are the weaknesses of questionnaires?
-No guarantee that the p is telling the truth.
-May be different interpretation of same questions.
-Leading questions may cause respondents to answer in a particular way affecting the validity.
What are the strengths of participant observations?
-Less chance of demand characteristics as they don’t know they are being observed.
-Can research people who would otherwise be very difficult to observe so researcher may end up finding info they didn’t know existed.
What are the weaknesses of participant observations?
-Researcher may suffer from observer bias.
-Unreliable findings as it is difficult to take notes during the observations, data relies on memories.
What are the strengths of non-participant observations?
-Observer doesn’t take part in action, but instead watches from a distance, so there is less chance of observer bias.
-Research is to see how participants rather than relying on self reports which may produce more valid and reliable findings.
What are the weaknesses of non-participant observations?
-They are subjective, which means it’s difficult to make judgements on thoughts and feelings of a participant when they are being watched from a distance behaviour may be misinterpreted.
-Unethical because participants don’t always know they’re being observed.
What are the strengths of time sampling?
-It shows how the behaviours are spread across the observation due to the use of time intervals.
-Less likely to be overwhelmed than in an event sampling as the researcher only observes at specific points in time.
What are the weaknesses of time sampling?
-If the behaviour occurs outside of the time interval for recording behaviours are likely to be missed.
-More complicated than event, sampling as observers have to keep track of the timing and their observations as well as behaviour.
What are the strengths of event sampling?
-When done effectively, all behaviours and events should be recorded.
-More straightforward than time sampling as only start and finish time is needed so no intervals need to be timed.
What are the weaknesses of event sampling?
-Can be overwhelming for researchers to try and record every behaviour that occurs.
-Hard to see in the observation, when the behaviour occurs without time intervals.
What are the strengths of content analysis?
-High ecological validity as it is based on observations of real communications which are current and relevant.
-Sources can be retained and accessed by others allowing for replication increasing the reliability of the research.
What are the weaknesses of content analysis?
-Observer bias reduces objectivity as researchers may interpret meaning of the behavioural categories differently, lowering validity.
-Can be overly reductive, disregarding context, nuance and ambiguous meanings, lowing validity.
What are the strengths of cross-sectional research?
-Cheap, quick, practical as ps only need to be tested once and there is no follow up study necessary.
-Ps are more easily obtained, because there is less pressure with these than with longitudinal studies.
What are the weaknesses of cross-sectional research?
-There is less rich data collected than there is with longitudinal studies with regards to individual p differences.
-The data collected are from a snapshot in time, harder to identify and analyse developmental trends.
What are the strengths of longitudinal research?
-Same group of ps is followed throughout the study, p variable do not affect the data collected.
-They are the best way of spotting developmental trends as they repeat tests at regular intervals and compare the findings.
What are the weaknesses of longitudinal research?
-Ps may move away or choose not to participate, which disrupts the study.
-Expensive, time consuming.
What are some issues with internal validity?
Researchers are having an influence on the ps response.
Setting is artificial.
Ps are trying to work out the aim of the study and act accordingly.
Ps are worried about the impression they are giving to others particularly the researcher.
What are some issues with external validity?
Researcher is using an unrepresentative sample.
Low ecological validity.
Population validity.
Whether it is valid over time.
How could you deal with internal validity issues?
Eliminating EVs.
Using single/double blind control.
Standardising procedures.
How could you deal with issues of external validity?
Wide range of ps.
Making sure the study represents the real world and real world experiences.
Repeat the study at a different time, same ps, same task.
What was the methodology of Milgram’s obedience study?
Controlled observation, at Yale in a lab environment.
40 males aged 20-50 with a range of jobs.
Payed $4.50 for participation.
Self-selected sample - study was in the newspaper, from the local area.
What were the procedures of Milgram’s obedience study?
Ps drew slips of paper to decide who would play the teacher or learner but was rigged and all ps got the role of teacher. Learners were played by confederates.
Teacher was sat in a room with a shock generator that had 30 switches from 15-450 volts. Teacher was given a sample shock.
Learner was strapped to a chair, every time they got an answer wrong the teacher had to give them a shock. Higher voltage each time. If p became reluctant then the experimenter gave them prods to carry on. They were de-hoaxed.
What did Milgram find?
65% of ps continued to 450 volts.
All ps carried on until 350 volts.
Before the study 14 Yale psych students predicted only 0-3% would go up to 450 volts.
What did Milgram conclude?
The prestigious university provided authority.
Ordinary people are likely to follow orders given by authority.
Ps didn’t want to disrupt the study as they felt under obligation.
What is a weakness of Milgram’s study (right to withdraw)?
Ps should be made aware that they can withdraw at anytime however this wasn’t done and when somebody asked to leave he gave them prods.
What’s a strength/weakness of Milgram’s study (participants)?
Only used American males, not cross-cultural. However when the study was repeated with women they found identical results.
What is a strength of the reliability of Milgram’s study?
Lab environment and standardised procedures - all ps went through the same process of picking sticks and being named teacher, given the same prods. Makes it more reliable as it can be repeated.
Describe the process of a pee review.
First, author writes article and sum its journal.
Editor sends copy to an expert in that field for checking.
Peer checks aspects like method and data.
Paper is accepted and published and put on databases for others to use.
What is the first step of a psychological report?
The abstract - brief summary including problems, method, results and conclusions.
What is the 2nd step of a psychological report?
Introduction - the problem, how it’s being answered, why it’s important.
What’s the 3rd step of a psychological report?
Method - how the study was conducted; subjects, materials, procedure.
What is the 4th step of a psychological report?
The results - summary of findings, results of stats test, graphs and charts.
What is the 5th step of a psychological report?
Discussion - begin with summary of results, what they indicate and conclusions that can be drawn.
What is the 6th step of a psychological report?
References - list of articles cited, alphabetical, journals listed like ‘volume, year, page number’.
What is the last step of a psychological report?
Appendix - raw and unused data goes here.
