Research Methods - Types Of Research Methods Flashcards
What are the three main types of research methods?
- Lab
- Field
- Quasi
What is a strength of lab experiments?
Cause and effect can be established
What is a weakness of lab experiments?
It is less ecologically valid
What is a strength of field experiments?
More ecologically valid
What is a weakness of field experiments?
Lacks control and it is hard to establish what the cause is
What is a strength of quasi experiments?
It allows us to study the effects of variables that psychologists can’t manipulate
What is a weakness of quasi experiments?
There is no control over confounding variables
What is an IV?
Variable that is manipulated
What is a DV?
A variable that is measured
What is an observation?
It involves watching a ppt and recording relevant behaviour
What are the 8 types of observation?
- Unstructured
- Structured
- Covert
- Overt
- Ppt observer
- Non-ppt observer
- Naturalistic
- Controlled
Where are naturalistic observations carried out?
In the field (natural setting)
What is a positive and negative of naturalistic observation?
Positive = observe natural behaviour so more valid Negative = lack of control and difficult to establish cause
What happened in a controlled observation?
Psychologists control all the factors that might alter the behaviour and therefore hide the behaviour caused by the IV
What is a positive and negative of controlled observations?
Positive = setting is standardised so easier to establish cause Negative = the situation is artificial and so lacks ecological validity
What is participant observation?
Where the observer is a part of, or pretending to be a part of the group they’re observing
What are some positives and negatives of participant observations?
Positives = more insight into experiment, detailed information Negatives = presence may alter behaviour, observer bias
What is non-participant observation?
Where the observer is not a part of the group they’re observing
What is a positive and negative of non-participant observation?
Positive = objective Negative = less insight
What happens in an unstructured observation?
The observer records everything that happens (behaviour)
What are some positives and negatives of unstructured observation?
Positives = clear overall view of what is going on Negatives = data too dense and hard to summaries, also difficult to summaries
What happens in a structured observation?
Observers record specific behaviours which meet the aim of the observation
What are some positives and negatives of structured observation?
Positives = allows comparisons, trends in data can be found Negatives = at risk of missing behaviour
What is a covert observation?
When the participant (person being observed) does not know they’re being observed
What is a positive and negative of covert observation?
Positive = natural behaviour can be observed (no demand characteristics) Negative = ethnically issues as it is hard to get consent, also invasion of privacy
What is an overt observation?
Where the participant (the person being observed) knows that they’re being observed
What are some positives and negatives of overt observations?
Positives = no ethical issues Negatives = demand characteristics, social desirability (not real behaviour)
