research methods used Flashcards
correlational designs
identifies a relationship between variables
correlation strengths
- a good starting point for further research
- can be used if experiments aren’t practical
correlation weaknesses
- no cause and effect can be established
- extraneous variables may be the cause
experimental design
careful manipulation of a independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable
experimental strengths
- can determine cause and effect
- no extraneous variable, highly controlled
experimental weaknesses
- low ecological validity
- low population validity
cross sectional design
children of different ages are observed at a single point in time
cross sectional strengths
- less time consuming
- provides a quick estimate of changes with age
cross sectional weaknesses
- only describes age differences
- doesn’t identify cause and effect
longitudinal designs
more than one observation of the same group f children is made at different points in their development
longitudinal strengths
- allows for within person changes
- allows for between person changes
longitudinal weaknesses
- high drop out rate
- population bias, not generalisable
sequential designs
participants of different ages are followed up over time
a combination of cross sectional and longitudinal designs
sequential strengths
- measures individual differences
- measures changes over time
sequential weaknesses
- can’t establish cause and effect
observational studies
behaviour is observed and recorded
researcher doesn’t attempt to influence indivduals natural behaviour
observational strengths
- high ecological validity
- inexpensive
observational weaknesses
- subjective
- Hawthorne effect
case studies
in-depth data collection of an individual
case study strengths
- rich source of data
- good for studying unique behaviours
case study weaknesses
- subjective so low reliability
- low generalisability
cross cultural comparisons
studying and comparing individuals from different ethnic groups to understand similarities and differences across cultures
cross cultural comparison strengths
- reduces ethnocentrism
- can study universal behaviours
cross cultural comparison weaknesses
- language barrier
- researcher bias
right to withdraw
participants should be aware that they can lave the study at any time
informed consent
all participants should understand fully all aspects of research before the agree to take part
confidentiality
participants have the right to expect that all data collected during a research study will remain anonymous and confidential
protection from harm
participants should be protected from physical and mental harm, risk of harm should be no grater than that to which they are exposed to in everyday life
debrief
after completing reteach, the true aim is revealed to the participant
the aim of debriefing is to return the person to the state they were in before they took part
