Sampling, pilot studies and ethical issues Flashcards
What is the difference between a target population and a sample?
Sample= the group of participants used in research
Target population= everybody your research is meant to represent
What is a sampling frame?
A list of all the people forming a population from which a sample is taken
What is random sampling?
Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen
What is a strength and a limitation of random sampling?
Strength: everybody has an equal chance of being drawn
Limitation: they may not be willing to take part
What is systematic sampling?
Every 3rd/4th/5th member of the target population is used
What is one strength and one limitation of systematic sampling?
Strength= everybody has an equal chance of being drawn
Limitation= time cosuming and costly
What is stratified sampling?
The sample is manipulated to represent the target population (chracteristics)
What is one strength and one limitation of stratified sampling?
Strength= representative of target population
Limitation= time consuming and costly
What is an opportunity sample?
Using participants who are easily accessible to the researcher
What is a strength and a limitation of opportunity sampling?
Strength= easy to do
limitation= produce a biased sample with similar characteristics
What is volunteer sampling?
Participants volunteer to take part- usually in response to an advertisement
What is a strength and a limitation of volunteer sampling?
Strength= easy to do
Limitation= volunteer bias
Which sampling techniques are most likely to produce a biased sample?
Volunteer and opportunity
Which sampling technique is most likely to be representative of the target population?
Systematic and stratified
What is a pilot study?
A small scale run of the actual investigation to check that the process runs smoothly and see if any changes need to be made
Usually involves less participants than the actual study
Give 4 examples of what might be checked during a pilot study
-Have the participants fully understood the task?
-Have they been given enough time for the task?
-Are the materials used clear and appropriate?
-Are questions clear?
What is informed consent in psychological research?
Participants should know what they’re getting into before the study
It involves making participants aware of aims, procedures and how data will be used
They will also be given the right to decide whether or not to take part
What is deception in psychological research?
Deliberately mileading or withholding information at any stage of the investigation
What is protection from harm in psychological research?
If the participant feels stress, embarrassment or feeling inadequate
What is confidentiality in psychological research?
Participants have the right to control information about themselves such as personal details, but also details about where the research was carried out
What is cost-benefit analysis?
Is the temporary cost for the participants (eg. anxiety) outweighed by the knowledge gained from doing the research?
What is the role of the BPS code of ethics?
Sets a standard of respect, competence, resposibility and integrety in a psychological experiment
How do researchers deal with the issue of presumptive consent?
A similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable
How do researchers deal with the issues of prior general consent?
Participants agree to take part in a study but they also agree to not know the details of the study
How do researchers deal with the issues of retrospective consent?
Participants are asked for their consent after an experiment
How do researchers deal with the issue of deception?
- Debrief the participants at the end of the study
- Give participants the right to withhold data if they wish
- Reassure them their behaviour is normal
- Get retrospective consent
- Do a cost-benefit analysis
How do researchers deal with the issue of protection from harm?
- Give participants the right to withdraw at any point if possible
- Do a cost-benefit analysis
How do researchers deal with the issue of confidentiality?
- Anonymity
- Keep questionnaires anonymous
- Avoid using full name in case studies
- Remind in debriefing that data will be protected
What is the purpose of briefing participants at the start of a study?
So they know what the aims amd instructions of the study are
It also gives them a chance to say whether they want to take part or not
What is the purpose of debriefing the participants at the end of a study?
Reassure them their behaviour is normal
Tell them what they will do with their results
