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Research methods - Everything > Rsm > Flashcards

Rsm Flashcards

1
Q

Lab experiment

A

An experiment carried out in an environment where variables can be carefully controlled.
P aware they are taking part, may not be aware of the true aims of the study.

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2
Q

Strengths of using lab experiments (1)

A

High internal validity because extraneous variables can be controlled. Allows us to be confident that any observed change on the DV is due to the IV.

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3
Q

Limitations of using lab experiments (2)

A

Participants are aware they are being studied, may show demand characteristics reducing its ecological validity.
The IV and DV may be operationalised in such a way that doesn’t represent everyday experience, low ecological validity.

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4
Q

Field experiment

A

Carried out in natural conditions

Where researcher manipulates IV to measure effect on DV

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5
Q

Field experiment advantage (2)

A
  • more natural environment, where Ps are more comfortable, results more generalisable to everyday
  • Ps unaware they are being studied, behaviours normal, findings easier to generalise, greater external validity
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6
Q

Field experiment disadvantage (2)

A
  • ethical issues (can’t give informed consent) invasion of privacy
  • Cofounding variables, changes in DV may not be due to IV by CV instead. Makes it Difficult to establish cause + effect
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7
Q

Natural experiment

A

Carried out in natural conditions.
Researcher unable to manipulate IV.
Therefore examines effect of naturally occurring IV on the DV

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8
Q

Natural experiment advantage

A
  • allows research where the IV can’t be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons (e.g. Romanian orphans)
  • high external validity, as they involve real life issues such as effects of natural disasters on stress levels
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9
Q

Natural experiment disadvantage

A
  • Natural event occurs rarely, reduces opportunity for research, limiting scope for generalising findings to other situations.
  • Ps not randomly allocated as the
    Iv is pre-existing, the experimenter has no control over which Ps are placed in which condition. May result in CV that aren’t controlled.
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10
Q

Quasi experiment

A
  • IV based on pre existing difference between people e.g. age or gender
  • No manipulation of IV, simply exists
  • DV may be naturally occurring or may be measured by experimenter
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11
Q

Quasi-experiment advantages

A

Often high control as takes place in high control conditions
Comparisons can be made about people as IV is a difference between people

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12
Q

Quasi-experiment limitation (2)

A

No random allocation, as IV is pre existing. Cofounding variables may have caused change in DV.
No manipulation over DV, casual relationship not demonstrated.

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13
Q

 naturalistic observation

A

Takes place where target behaviour would normally occur

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14
Q

Naturalistic observation advantage

A

High external validity
Natural context, behaviours more likely to be spontaneous
More generalisable findings to everyday life

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15
Q

Naturalistic observation limitation

A

little control
May be uncontrolled extraneous variables
Makes it difficult to detect patterns

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16
Q

Controlled observation

A

Some control/manipulation of variables including control of Extraneous variables

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17
Q

Controlled observation advantage

A

Can be replicated due to standardised procedures.

Findings can be checked to see if they occur again

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18
Q

Controlled observation disadvantage

A

Low external validity
Behaviour may be contrived as a result of the setting
Findings cannot be applied to everyday experience

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19
Q

Covert observation

A

Observing people without their knowledge

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20
Q

Covert observation advantage

A

Participants are unaware they are being observed and therefore the behaviour is more natural. Less demand characteristics. increased validity of findings.

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21
Q

Covert observation disadvantage

A

Ethical issues, cannot give consent

22
Q

Overt observation

A

Observational study where participants are aware their behaviours being studied

23
Q

Overt observation disadvantage

A

Participants are aware they are being studied which may affect the naturalness of their behaviour – they may respond to demand characteristics

24
Q

Participant Observation

A

Observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed

25
Q

Participant observation advantage

A

Can lead to greater insight.
Researcher experiences the same situation as the P do
Enhances validity of findings

26
Q

Participant observation disadvantage

A

Possible loss of objectivity
Participant may identify too strongly with those they are studying
Threatens objectivity and validity

27
Q

Non participant observation

A

Observer is separate from the people being observed

28
Q

Nonparticipant observation advantage

A

Observers are likely to be more objective because they are not part of the group being observed

29
Q

Non participant observation disadvantage

A

Loss of insight. Researcher to far removed from study. May reduce validity

30
Q

Structured Interview

A

List of pre determined questions

Asked in a fixed order

31
Q

Structured Interview advantages

A
  • easy to replicate because the questions are standardised, meaning answers form different people can be compared
  • Easier data to analyse over an unstructured interview as the difference between interviewees is reduced
32
Q

Structured interview disadvantages

A
  • investigator effects (Interviewer bias)
  • Interviewee cannot elaborate or deviate from their topics/points
    May be a source of frustration
33
Q

Unstructured interview

A
  • no set questions
  • general topic to be discussed but the interaction is free flowing
  • interviewee encouraged to elaborate
34
Q

Unstructured interview Advantage

A

Greater flexibility

Unlike a structured interview, points can be followed up, greater insight

35
Q

Unstructured interview disadvantage

A

Difficult to replicate
Not standardised
Greater risk of interviewer bias

36
Q

Questionnaire

A

Pre set list of written questions to which a participant responds
Can be used as part of an experiment to assess the DV

37
Q

Questionnaire stengths

A
  • Once designed, they can be distributed to large numbers relatively cheaply and efficiently, enabling the researcher to gather a large sample
  • Anonymity, Ps may be more likely to give personal information than in an interview where they feel more self-conscious.
  • less chance of socially desirable responses compared to an interveiw
38
Q

Questionnaire weakness

A
  • untruthful responses, respondents tend to present themselves in a positive light, thus socially desirability is still possible
  • Response Bias - Respondents may favour a particular type of response, e.g. always agree
39
Q

Content analysis

A
  • A research tool used to quantify and analyse the presence of certain words, themes or concepts within some given qualitative data.
  • analyse it in order to draw conclusions
40
Q

Content analysis strengths

A
  • Based on observations of what people actually do, real communications that are current and relevant, this gives it high ecological validity.
  • When sources can be retained/accessed by other researchers, findings can be replicated
41
Q

Content analysis weakness

A

Observer bias reduces objectivity and validity of the findings
because different observers may interpret the meaning of the behavioural categories differently

42
Q

Case studies

A

Detailed study of an individual or event

Usually yielding a large amount of information

43
Q

Case study strengths (2)

A
  • useful as a means of investigating instances of human behaviour and experience that are rare, e.g rare cases of brain damage (Clive wearing)
  • this method offers rich in-depth data so information that may be overlooked using other methods is likely to be identified
44
Q

Case study limitations

A

– Difficult to generalise from individual cases as each one has unique characteristics
- Retrospective studies (such as damage to the brain) may rely on memory and we cannot be sure that the apparent changes observed were not present originally

45
Q

Correlational study

A

Show strength and direction of a relationship
Do not show cause and affect
Expressed has a coefficient between -1 and +1
Shown on a scatter graph

46
Q

Correlational study advantages

A

Relatively economical, unlike controlled environment of a lab.
Less time consuming
Useful starting point for research, strong correlation may suggest hypotheses for future research

47
Q

Correlational studies limitations

A

No cause and effect
Correlations often presented as casual when they only show how 2 variables are related
May be intervening variables that explain the relationship

48
Q

Overt observation advantage

A

More ethically acceptable, given consent, right to withdraw

49
Q

Difference between correlation and experiment

A

Ex : Researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV
Cor: No manipulation of variables, no cause and effect
Also influence of EV not controlled, may be a third variable causing relationship

50
Q

How to conduct a Content analysis

A
  1. Decide sampling method (what material to use)
  2. Decide coding units
  3. Frequency - the number of times a word/theme comes up

Research methods - Everything (4 decks)

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