Reserach Methods and Techniques

Question 1

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 1

An experiment conducted under highly controlled conditions. The researcher controls the IV and the extraneous variables.

Question 2

What are the strengths of a laboratory experiment?

Answer 2

There is high control of extraneous variables, allowing cause and effect.

Standardised procedures allows you to establish reliability of results.

In a repeated measures design, counterbalancing can be used to reduce design extraneous variables such as order effects.

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of a laboratory experiment?

Answer 3

The artificial environment causes low ecological validity.

Due to having a researcher present, participants may suffer with demand characteristics. This means that they behave in a way that would please the experiment.

Question 4

What is a field experiment?

Answer 4

An experiment carried out in a natural setting of the participants. The experimenter still manipulates the IV, but the researcher has less control over extraneous variables.

Question 5

What are the strengths of a field experiment?

Answer 5

Participants are in their natural environment, their behaviour is likely to be more valid meaning they are more ecologically valid.

Participants may be unaware that they are being studied, and therefore less affected by demand characteristics.

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of a field experiment?

Answer 6

It is harder to control extraneous variables, making them less reliable and difficult to replicate.

The researcher cannot be sure that the IV caused the effect on DV.

Ethical issues if they don’t know they are being studied.

Question 7

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 7

The IV is naturally occurring and the DV is measured by the researcher.

Question 8

What are the strengths of a quasi experiment?

Answer 8

Due to the IV naturally occurring within the individual it may be more reflective to that individual.

They allow researchers to investigate variables that would be unethical to manipulate.

Question 9

What is an observational study?

Answer 9

Observing of participants behaviour through controlled or uncontrolled conditions.

Question 10

What is a structured observation?

Answer 10

Using predefined coding categories for behaviour. This may include a coding system or a category checklist against which observations are made.

Question 11

What are the strengths of a structured observation?

Answer 11

Increased validity as specific behaviour is recorded, not distracted by other behaviours, or behaviours that may be irrelevant to the research aim.

Easier to establish inter-rater reliability.

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of a structured observation?

Answer 12

Can reduce validity as some behaviours may be missed.

Open to observer bias as the researcher may interpret behaviours in a way that fits into the behavioural categories.

Question 13

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 13

Recording everything observed during the observation. The researcher continuously records and reports on behaviour, noting everything that happens.

Question 14

What are the strengths of an unstructured observation?

Answer 14

Increases validity as the researcher is taking into account all behaviours that are going on.

Applicable to a wide range of contexts.

Question 15

What are the weaknesses of an unstructured observation?

Answer 15

Harder to record as the researcher has to pay attention to everything around them, this may cause behaviours to be missed and reduce validity.

Harder to establish reliability as it is less standardised.

Open to observer bias as the researcher may only note down behaviours that support their own theories or behaviours that reflect what they hoped to find.

Question 16

What is a natural observation?

Answer 16

A research method where the participant’s behaviour is studied in a natural environment. It’s often used where it would be unethical to manipulate variables.

Question 17

What are the strengths of a natural observation?

Answer 17

Participants are in their normal environment so are more likely to show valid behaviours, more ecologically valid.

Participants less likely to be aware they are being observed so will be genuine.

Useful for obtaining observations in situations where intervention would be unethical

Question 18

What are the weaknesses of a natural observation?

Answer 18

Extraneous variables can rarely be controlled so reduces validity.

Difficult to ensure reliability of data collection, however, this can be overcome by recording behaviours on video.

If observers are identified validity is compromised.

Question 19

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 19

Participant’s behaviour is usually observed in a controlled environment (laboratory) where the researcher can manipulate the IV.

Question 20

What are the strengths of a controlled observation?

Answer 20

Data recording is likely to be reliable because there is a specific focus that allows data to be collected in a consistent manner.

Extraneous variables can be controlled therefore increasing validity.

Compared to experiments, a much greater range of behaviours can be explored giving a useful insight into human behaviour.

Question 21

What are the strengths of a controlled observation?

Answer 21

Social desirability or demand characteristics.

Participants will be aware that they are in an artificial situation so they may not react naturally, low ecological validity.

Difficult to completely represent the reality of a complex social setting so lacks ecological validity.

Question 22

What is a participant observation?

Answer 22

This is a method of gathering data through observation. The observer takes part in the experiment but their status is not made known to the other participants.

Question 23

What are the strengths of participant observations?

Answer 23

Only way to observe some behaviours for example gangs.

Greater accuracy and detail as the participant is involved in the behaviour.

Question 24

What are the weaknesses of participant observations?

Answer 24

Harder to remain objective as the researcher may get lost in the moment and begin to interpret behaviour at a personal level.

The presence of the researcher can influence behaviour, reducing validity.

Question 25

What is a non participant observation?

Answer 25

The researcher observes participants without participating in the experiment itself. They are not a member of the group being observed.

Question 26

What are the strengths of a non-participant observation?

Answer 26

Easier to remain objective as the participant is away from distractions and can remain focused, increasing validity.

The participant is likely to be less influenced by the researcher. Less observer bias.

Question 27

What are the weaknesses of a non-participant observation?

Answer 27

Ethical ethical issues such as consent and the right to withdraw if they don’t know they are taking part.

Less detail and accuracy as the researcher is at a distance from the participants reducing validity.

Question 28

What is an overt observation?

Answer 28

The participants know that they are being observed, they have given consent or is aware of being observed because of the presence of an observer.

Question 29

What are the strengths of an overt observation?

Answer 29

Reduces ethical issues as the participants are aware that they are being observed.

If observed for long periods of time, people tend to forget about observers and behave more naturally, particularly when being filmed.

Question 30

What are the weakness of an overt observation?

Answer 30

Participants may act in a socially desirable way which decreases validity.

Increase chance of demand characteristics, as the participant is aware of the researcher.

Question 31

What is a covert observation?

Answer 31

Participants do not know they are being observed.

Question 32

What are the strengths of a covert observation?

Answer 32

Increases validity as participants aren’t aware of being observed, they are more likely to act naturally.

Reduced chance of demand characteristics.

Question 33

What are the weaknesses of a covert observation?

Answer 33

It creates ethical issues as the participant has not consented to being observed.

If the participant becomes aware of the researchers presence, they may change their behaviour, thus decreasing validity.

Question 34

What is a self report?

Answer 34

Asking a participant about their thoughts and behaviour and recording their answers.

Question 35

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 35

A set of written questions with a choice of answers, devised for the purposes of a survey or statistical study.

Question 36

What are the strengths of a questionnaire?

Answer 36

Easy to administer and large sample size.

Participants may be more truthful than in an interview if answers are personal as they are writing them down without immediate judgement of someone.

Data easy to analyse if quantitative.

Question 37

What are the weaknesses of a questionnaire?

Answer 37

Response biases – e.g. tending always to say no, or always ticking the same box for every question.

Cannot explain answers and question may be misread.

Question 38

What is an interview?

Answer 38

Interviews are different from questionnaires as they involve social interaction.

Researchers can ask different types of questions which in turn generate different types of data.

Question 39

What are the different types of interview?

Answer 39

Structured, semi–structured and unstructured.

Question 40

What is a structured interview?

Answer 40

Predetermined questions with fixed closed questions.

Question 41

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 41

Guidelines on which questions to ask, contains open and closed questions, timing and phrasing determined by interviewer.

Question 42

What is a unstructured interview?

Answer 42

A topic of discussion is planned, but no fixed questions, all open questions.

Question 43

What are the strengths of interviews?

Answer 43

Structured interviews are easier to analyse if quantitative.

Semi-structured and unstructured interviews enable the researcher to gain detailed info.

In face-to-face interviews, the interviewer can respond more flexibly to gain useful, detailed info.

Question 44

What are the weaknesses of an interview?

Answer 44

Structured interviews are limited by fixed questions, lack validity.

Researcher bias can occur.

The expectations of the interviewer may alter the way the respondent answers questions.

Question 45

What is a correlation?

Answer 45

A measure of how strongly two or more variables are related to each other.

Question 46

Outline the types of correlation?

Answer 46

Positive Correlation:
as one variable increases, so does the other.

No Correlation: there is no relationship between the variables.

Negative Correlation: as one variable increases, the other decreases.