- experiment completely controlled by experimenter - artificial setting - real environment characteristics mimicked

Research Methods: Section 1 Flashcards by Fawziyah A

advantage/disadvantage of qualitative data

a: increase validity levels
d: difficult to analyse and draw conclusion

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lab experiment

experiment completely controlled by experimenter
artificial setting
real environment characteristics mimicked

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advantage/disadvantage of lab experiment

a: replicability of procedures
a: high control over variables
d: loss of validity (artificial)
d: demand characteristics

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advantage/disadvantage of online research

a: access to large sample size
a: cost effective
d: limited (surveys/questionnaires)
d: ethical issues (consent/privacy)

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two kinds of quasi experiments

IV (natural experiment)
no IV (difference study)

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natural experiments

naturally occurring events that approximate a controlled experiment, which a researcher exploits and merely observes

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difference studies

A kind of quasi experiment. The independent variable is actually not something that varies at all - it is a condition that exists. The researcher records the effect of the ‘quasi-IV’ on a dependent variable.

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correlational analysis

use to determine extent of a relationship between two variables (co-variables), type of non-experimental method

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correlation coefficient

a statistical index of the relationship between covariables in a correlational anaylsis (from -1 to +1)

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advantage/limitation of correlational analysis

a: provide info of strengths of relationship between variables
l: issue of causality
l: measurement of non-linear relationship

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naturalistic observation

observing and recording behaviour in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

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two types of OBSERVATION

Participant and non-participant

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advantages/limitations of questionnaires

two types of OBSERVATION

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Structured vs. Unstructured

S: aim to gather quantitative data from pre-planned answers
UnS: less rigid, interview content not known in advance

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advantages/limitations of interviews

a: complex issues explored
a: subjective meaning gained
l: demand characteristics
l: ethical issue (deception)

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advantages/disadvantages of case study

a: allow for detailed qualitative analysis
a: investigates behaviour which could be unethical to create artificially
d: difficult to generalise from individual cases
d: method relies on evidence interpretation, biased

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content analysis

observing behaviour by looking at content of things produced, indirect observation (qual or quan)

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advantage/disadvantages of content analysis

a: high ecological validity
d: observer bias

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meta-analysis

a procedure for statistically combining the results of many different research studies

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effective size

how big the differences are between two groups or how strong the relationship is between two continuous variables (correlational study)

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advantage/disadvantage of meta-analysis

a: more reliable conclusions
d: invalid conclusions, diff studies so diff research designs

advantage/disadvantage of longitudinal study

a: enable time/age to be studied
a: high control level
d: participants may drop out, biased

advantage/disadvantage of cross-sectional study

a: enable time/age to be studied
a: quick
d: high levels of individual differences

longitudinal vs cross-sectional

Longitudinal: Study that follows participants over time, to observe long-term effects & make comparisons between behaviour

Cross-Sectional: separate groups tested (eg: Tests different children in various age groups)

advantage/disadvantage of peer reviews

a: established validity of research, prevents falsified work a: provides valuable feedback d: time consuming process d: difficult to protect anonymity of referees

advantage/disadvantage of multi-method approach

a: such studies more valid as greater insight d: few researchers utilise as time consuming

3 types of brain scans

CAT, MRI and PET

CAT scan procedure

involves taking series of x-rays and combining them to form a 2d/3d picture of area. dye injected

MRI scan procedure

magnetic field causes brain atoms to change alignment & emit radio signals. detector reads them and maps brain structure

PET scan procedure

tracer administered (radioactive glucose) and glucose broken down, radioactive material emits positrons which are picked up

CAT scan pros/cons

p: useful for revealing abnormal structures, high quality images c:require more radiation compared to normal x-rays

MRI scans pros/cons

p: give more detailed image of soft tissue, doesn't expose patients to radiation c: take long time, uncomfortable

PET scans pros/cons

p: show brain in action, useful in research c: expensive, highly radioactive

qualitative data def

non numerical data

quantitative data def

numerical data (quantified form)

advantage/disadvantage of quantitative data

a: easier to analyse and draw conclusions d: loss of validity (other factors ignored)

field experiment

- experiment conducted in natural environment - popular for non-human animals

advantage/disadvantage of field experiments

a: improved ecological validity a: reduced demand characteristics d: harder to establish controls d: time & cost

online research

- allows researchers to access participants via the internet

independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

dependent variable

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

advantage/disadvantage of quasi experiments

a: reduced demand characteristics a: lack of direct intervention d: loss of control d: ethical issues

positive correlation

A correlation where as one variable increases, the other also increases, or as one decreases so does the other. Both variables move in the same direction.

negative correlation

the relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other variable decreases

undisclosed vs disclosed

undisclosed = participants unaware disclosed: participants aware

advantage/limitations of naturalistic observations

a: validity a: avoidance of demand characteristics l: control l: ethical issues (deception/privacy invasion)

questionnaires and interviews

Open-ended and closed-ended questions

open ended (participant puts opinions down) closed ended (limited to categorised answers)

peer review

The assessment of work by others who are specialists in the same field to ensure that any research set for publication is high quality.

multi-method approach

Uses different methods to investigate behaviour

case study

an observation technique in which a person/group is studied using case history from range of sources