Research Methods Pt2 Flashcards

Question

What are the strengths of non-participant observations?

Answer 1

-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.

Answer 2

-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.

Answer 3

-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.

Answer 4

-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.

Answer 5

-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.

Answer 6

-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.

Answer 7

-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.

Answer 8

-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.

Answer 9

-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.

Answer 10

-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.

Answer 11

-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.

Answer 12

-Ps may move away or choose not to participate, which disrupts the study. -Expensive, time consuming.

Answer 13

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.

Answer 14

Researcher is using an unrepresentative sample. Low ecological validity. Population validity. Whether it is valid over time.

Answer 15

Eliminating EVs. Using single/double blind control. Standardising procedures.

Answer 16

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.

Answer 17

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.

Answer 18

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.

Answer 19

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.

Answer 20

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.

Answer 21

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.

Answer 22

Only used American males, not cross-cultural. However when the study was repeated with women they found identical results.

Answer 23

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.

Answer 24

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.

Answer 25

The abstract - brief summary including problems, method, results and conclusions.

Answer 26

Introduction - the problem, how it’s being answered, why it’s important.

Answer 27

Method - how the study was conducted; subjects, materials, procedure.

Answer 28

The results - summary of findings, results of stats test, graphs and charts.

Answer 29

Discussion - begin with summary of results, what they indicate and conclusions that can be drawn.

Answer 30

References - list of articles cited, alphabetical, journals listed like ‘volume, year, page number’.

Answer 31

Appendix - raw and unused data goes here.