Rsm

Question 1

Lab experiment

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Strengths of using lab experiments (1)

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Limitations of using lab experiments (2)

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Field experiment

Answer 4

Carried out in natural conditions

Where researcher manipulates IV to measure effect on DV

Question 5

Field experiment advantage (2)

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Field experiment disadvantage (2)

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Natural experiment

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Natural experiment advantage

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

Natural experiment disadvantage

Answer 9

• 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.

Question 10

Quasi experiment

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Quasi-experiment advantages

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Quasi-experiment limitation (2)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

 naturalistic observation

Answer 13

Takes place where target behaviour would normally occur

Question 14

Naturalistic observation advantage

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Naturalistic observation limitation

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Controlled observation

Answer 16

Some control/manipulation of variables including control of Extraneous variables

Question 17

Controlled observation advantage

Answer 17

Can be replicated due to standardised procedures.

Findings can be checked to see if they occur again

Question 18

Controlled observation disadvantage

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Covert observation

Answer 19

Observing people without their knowledge

Question 20

Covert observation advantage

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Covert observation disadvantage

Answer 21

Ethical issues, cannot give consent

Question 22

Overt observation

Answer 22

Observational study where participants are aware their behaviours being studied

Question 23

Overt observation disadvantage

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Participant Observation

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Participant observation advantage

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Participant observation disadvantage

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Non participant observation

Answer 27

Observer is separate from the people being observed

Question 28

Nonparticipant observation advantage

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Non participant observation disadvantage

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Structured Interview

Answer 30

List of pre determined questions | Asked in a fixed order

Question 31

Structured Interview advantages

Answer 31

- 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

Question 32

Structured interview disadvantages

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Unstructured interview

Answer 33

- no set questions - general topic to be discussed but the interaction is free flowing - interviewee encouraged to elaborate

Question 34

Unstructured interview Advantage

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Unstructured interview disadvantage

Answer 35

Difficult to replicate Not standardised Greater risk of interviewer bias

Question 36

Questionnaire

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Questionnaire stengths

Answer 37

- 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

Question 38

Questionnaire weakness

Answer 38

- 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

Question 39

Content analysis

Answer 39

- 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

Question 40

Content analysis strengths

Answer 40

- 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

Question 41

Content analysis weakness

Answer 41

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

Question 42

Case studies

Answer 42

Detailed study of an individual or event | Usually yielding a large amount of information

Question 43

Case study strengths (2)

Answer 43

- 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

Question 44

Case study limitations

Answer 44

– 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

Question 45

Correlational study

Answer 45

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

Question 46

Correlational study advantages

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Correlational studies limitations

Answer 47

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

Question 48

Overt observation advantage

Answer 48

More ethically acceptable, given consent, right to withdraw

Question 49

Difference between correlation and experiment

Answer 49

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

Question 50

How to conduct a Content analysis

Answer 50

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