Resrach methods Flashcards
What are teh four reserach methods?
Experiment
Observation
Self report
Correlation
Define experiemtn
Research method used by psychologists which involves teh manipulation of varibale in order to discover a casue adn effect
Varibales
Things that can vary or change
Defien laboratory experiemtn
The reserache hads full control o ver teh experimetn and uses stadaridsed prodcudres in a contrlled evnvionment. The IV is manipulated
Strength sof labortaory experiement
HIgh evels of control therfore less chance of extranoeus vairbaes affaectign eth reuslts, whcih increases reliability
Participants know they are part of a study therefore consent can be gained right to withdraw given and debriefed at the end.
Weaknesses of labroatory experiemtn
High level of control may create an artificial situation and prevent natural behaviour from being exhibited; this may also include demand characteristics (where participants guess the aim of the experiment and change their behaviour) which in turn lower the validity.
It is sometimes necessary to deceive and cause participants a small amount of harm to improve the validity and reliability of the study.
Define field experimetn?
Experiemtn takes place in a partipatnts natural enviorenmt. Howverr teh indepndetn vairbale is still manipulated
Strengths of field experiemtn
Has high ecological validity as it is conducted in a natural setting, so can be more easily generalised to other settings.
Participants may not be aware of their behaviour is being studied so they are unlikely to show demand characteristics.
Weaknesses of field experiment
It is not possible to precisely control extraneous variables that might affect the DV. This will also make them more difficult to replicate. Therofre reducign reliability
Ethical issues may arise as it is often impossible to have the informed consent of those taking part.
Define quasi experiment
When teh Indepdnet vairbale is naturally occuring. Therfore resaearcher onyl measure teh efefct fo eth naturally occurign IV on the DV. IT can take place ina natural or controlled enviroentm
strengths fo a quasi experiemtn
Allows research where the IV cannot be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons.
They are often carried out in a natural environment and are therefore high in ecological validity.
Weaknesses of quasi experiment
Difficult to establish a casual relationship du eot teh indepdnet vairbale not beign manipulated
The researcher has to wait for the conditions to occur naturally so they may not be available at the time of the research.
Defien operatinoalisign variables
This is where you make the variables measurable
Knowing how you are going to manipulate IV
Knowing how you will measure DV
Defien hypothesis
A statemtn of what results you expect to fin dafter teh experiment
One tailed hypothesis
Predictions taht state teh direction ht ereuslts will go in