Research Methods (Research Methods)

Question 1

strucLab experiment is..

Answer 1

IV is directly manipulated under controlled setting to measure the impact on a DV

Question 2

Field experiment is

Answer 2

IV is directly manipulated in natural settings to measure the impact on a DV

Question 3

Natural experiment is

Answer 3

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

Question 4

a Quasi experiment is

Answer 4

IV is already occurring (e.g. ethnicity) and so cannot be directly manipulated - the impact on DV is measured

Question 5

Strength of a lab experiment

Answer 5

controlled conditions increase reliability and internal validity

Question 6

Weakness of a lab experiment

Answer 6

setting isn’t natural = behaviour isn’t natural and results lack ecological validity

Question 7

strength of a field experiement

Answer 7

Higher ecological valdity

Question 8

weakness of a field experiment

Answer 8

lacks control and internal validity

Question 9

strength of a natural experiment

Answer 9

high external validity, unique study opportunity

Question 10

weakness of a natural experiment

Answer 10

rare, less likelihood of causality

Question 11

strength of a quasi experiment

Answer 11

unique insight free from manipulation (less demand characteristics)

Question 12

weakness of a quasi experiment

Answer 12

cannot randomly allocate - less chance of causality (participant variables)

Question 13

Naturalistic observation is

Answer 13

conducted in natural settings

Question 14

Controlled obervation is..

Answer 14

conducted in controlled settings

Question 15

Covert observation is..

Answer 15

participants are unaware they are being studied

Question 16

Overt observation is…

Answer 16

participants are aware they are being studied

Question 17

Participant observation is…

Answer 17

observer is part of the observed group

Question 18

Non-participant observation is..

Answer 18

observer is not part of the observed group

Question 19

1 strength and 1 weakness of naturalistic observations..

Answer 19

+ natural behaviour
- uncontrolled EVs

Question 20

1 strength and 1 weakness of covert observations

Answer 20

+ Natural behaviour
- ethical issues

Question 21

1 strength and 1 weakness of participant observations

Answer 21

+ increased insight (validity)
- loss of objectivity

Question 22

Unlike experiments observations have no…

Answer 22

IV

Question 23

Self report techniques are..

Answer 23

participants explain their own thoughts, feelings or behaviours (questionnaire/interview)

Question 24

A questionnaire is..

Answer 24

A written set of questions (or items) to assess thoughts and experiences

Question 25

Questionnaires can contain open questions; true or false

Answer 25

True

Question 26

1 strength and 1 weakness of a questionnaire

Answer 26

+ cost effective to gather large datasets quickly and easy to analyse
- limited/socially desirable responses

Question 27

An interview where there are no set questions - only the topic is set

Answer 27

Unstructured interview

Question 28

An interview where all questions are pre-determined

Answer 28

Structured interview

Question 29

An interview where some questions are pre-determined but researchers can ask follow up questions as needed

Answer 29

Semi-structured interview

Question 30

1 strength and 1 weakness of a structured interview

Answer 30

+ Easy to replicate
- limits richness of data

Question 31

1 strength and 1 weakness of an unstructured interview

Answer 31

+ rich in depth data
- increased bias and hard to compare/replicate

Question 32

A correlation measures..

Answer 32

relationships

Question 33

The variables in a correlation are called

Answer 33

Co-variables

Question 34

The three outcomes of a correlational study are;

Answer 34

positive, negative and no correlation

Question 35

Correlations cannot guarantee what..

Answer 35

Causation! (a relationship, not a different or affect - always could be 3rd variables)

Question 36

1 strength and 1 weakness of a correlational study

Answer 36

+ starting point for future research, quick and easy as uses secondary data often
- is not causation, always a risk of 3rd variables, can be misused

Question 37

A case study is

Answer 37

an indepth study of one or a small group of people

Question 38

Case studies can be carried out over a long period - this is called

Answer 38

Longitudinal research

Question 39

1 strength and 1 weakness of case studies

Answer 39

+ in depth, can be longitudinal and use lots of measures to understand the individual so can check for concurrent validity
- cannot be replicated, many EVs, subjective

Question 40

A content anaylsis is

Answer 40

used to quantify qualitative data by changing it into frequencies using coding

Question 41

1 strength and 1 weakness of content analysis

Answer 41

+ useful, ethical, reliable (inter-rater)
- hard to establish objective coding units, loses richness of data, time consuming

Question 42

Thematic analysis is

Answer 42

a qualitative method which identifies, analyses and reports themes (patterns) within data

Question 43

1 strength and 1 weakness of thematic analysis

Answer 43

+ useful, check concurrent data as you apply themes to new data sets, keeps richness of data
- Subjective, time consuming