Research Methods Unit Test

Question 1

What are the 5 types of research methods?

Answer 1

1. Surveys
2. Case studies
3. Experimental studies
4. Correlational studies
5. Interviews

Question 2

What are the 2 types of data collection methods? Give one example each.

Answer 2

1. Qualitative - ex. lab experiments
2. Quantitative - ex case studies, observations, interviews

Question 3

What is important to consider when discussing research? (7)

Answer 3

1. Location
2. Retrospective vs prospective
3. Mundane realism
4. Reliability
5. Longitudinal vs cross-section
6. Validity (internal vs external)
7. Construct validity

Question 4

What is retrospective vs prospective?

Answer 4

Attempting to find correlations/relationships between past behavior and present

measures a variable at the beginning then observes its effects over time

Question 5

What is mundane realism?

Answer 5

level to which situation represents real life

Question 6

Reliability

Answer 6

the results can be replicated - consistency

Question 7

Longitudinal vs cross-sectional

Answer 7

repeated observations of the same variable over periods of time

data collection from a larger population at specific time

Question 8

Validity

Answer 8

consideration that the research/study does what it claims to do. True in aims and context - accuracy

Question 9

Construct validity

Answer 9

concept being studied has an agreed-upon definition/measurability

Question 10

What is an independent samples design?

Answer 10

Sample randomly allocated to one condition of experiment, 20 altogether, 10 in each condition

Question 11

What is a repeated measures design?

Answer 11

one sample receives both conditions of experiment

Question 12

Covert vs overt observations

Answer 12

Covert: participants do not know they are being watched
Overt: observation is made obvious to participants

Question 13

Non/participant observations

Answer 13

P: researcher joins the studied group
N: does not join

Question 14

Naturalistic vs lab observations

Answer 14

N: natural environment
L: controlled lab

Question 15

Strengths of case studies (4)

Answer 15

-holistic
-high ecological validity
-over time
-triangulation

Question 16

Limitations of case studies (4)

Answer 16

-irreplicable
-time consuming
-non-regeneratable
-retrospective

Question 17

Strengths of interviews

Answer 17

-high ecological validity
-structured have high internal validity
-personal / lots of data
-focus groups triggering of ideas

Question 18

(5) Limitations of interviews

Answer 18

-demand characteristics
-time consuming
-bias
-self-reported data
-hard to maintain confidentiality

Question 18

What are the 5 demand characteristics?/participant biases

Answer 18

1. Screw you
2. Social desirability
3. Reactivity
4. Expectancy effect
5. Optimism bias

Question 19

Ethics in research (CARDUD)

Answer 19

C - consent is informed or given by parent/guardian
A - anonymity is guaranteed
R - right to withdraw
D - deception is to be avoided but if required participants must leave in same psychological/physical state arrived
U - Undue stress/harm is prevented
D - debriefing on the true nature and aims of study is required - deception justified

Question 20

What is reductionism?

Answer 20

breaks down into parts

Question 21

What is holism?

Answer 21

Not existing independently

Question 22

What is sampling and researcher bias?

Answer 22

sampling: does not accurately represent the population
researcher: when beliefs or opinions of the researcher influence the outcome of the investigation

Question 23

What is transferability?

Answer 23

degree to which qualitative results of a study can be generalized to a wider population/setting

Question 24

What is generalizability?

Answer 24

The ability to apply your findings to a wider population, usually in a statistical/quantitative approach