Research Methods:Sampling and the scientific process Flashcards
What does the scientific process consist of ?
-observations
-develop hypothesis
-test hypothesis
-analyse results
-either modify test and repeat or develop a theory
-if theory developed , develop a new hypothesis
What is included in a psychological report?
Abstract
Introduction
Method/Procedure
Results
Discussion
-References
What do psychologists use to test their hypothesis
-empirical research methods , which is gaining info by direct observation or experimentation
Were early approaches to studying human behaviour considered scientific?
No
What is a target population?
What is a sample?
a particular group of people a researcher is interested in studying
a selection of the target population
What must a sample be and why ?
must be representative of the TP so that findings can be generalised to the TP
What happens if a sample is unrepresentative?
its said to be biased , so results lack population validity
What is opportunity sampling?
What are the strengths(1) and weaknesses(1)?
-approach anyone who happens to be present at the time and place of selection
+easiest method to use
-biased and unrepresentative because sample is drawn from narrow section of TP
What is volunteer sampling?
What are the strengths (2) and weaknesses(1)?
when advertisement is used to attract ppts
+no ethical issues with consent as ppts choose to take part
+gives access to wide variety of ppts
-volunteer bias because ppts are motivated to take part , don’t reflect attitudes of whole TP
What is random sampling?
What are the strengths(1) and weaknesses(1)?
-every member of TP has equal chance of selection
every member is identified and random sampling technique used to select sample
+least biased so more likely to be representative
-no guarantee that sample will be representative
What is systematic sampling?
What are the strengths(1) and weaknesses(1)?
system used to select ppts from a sampling frame of the TP
+avoids researcher bias as they have no influence
-no guarantee of representative sample
What is stratified sampling?
involves dividing TP into different subgroups
1)identify how many people are in TP
2)identify subgroups within
3)calc number of people required from each subgroup to make sample proportional to size of subgroup in TP
4)randomly select required number from each subgroup
What are the strengths(1) and weaknesses(1) of stratified sampling?
+most representative as it reflects the population , has high population validity
-identified subgroups can’t reflect all the ways that ppts are different , not fully representative
What are pilot studies?
What is the aim of them?
What are the benefits of them?
-small scale trials of a research experiment that are run before doing the real thing
-to check the procedures and materials
-can save time and money in the long run and often increases the validity of research
What is the abstract?
What is the introduction?
What is the method?
What is the results?
What is the discussion?
What is the references?
-provides reader with summary of the study
-introduces background of study including previous research
-describes how study was done
-summarise findings , includes tables and graphs and results of statistical analysis
-considers findings and their implications , alternative explanations and any methodological problems
-informs reader about sources of info
