Sampling, pilot studies and ethical issues

Question 1

What is the difference between a target population and a sample?

Answer 1

Sample= the group of participants used in research
Target population= everybody your research is meant to represent

Question 2

What is a sampling frame?

Answer 2

A list of all the people forming a population from which a sample is taken

Question 3

What is random sampling?

Answer 3

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen

Question 4

What is a strength and a limitation of random sampling?

Answer 4

Strength: everybody has an equal chance of being drawn
Limitation: they may not be willing to take part

Question 5

What is systematic sampling?

Answer 5

Every 3rd/4th/5th member of the target population is used

Question 6

What is one strength and one limitation of systematic sampling?

Answer 6

Strength= everybody has an equal chance of being drawn
Limitation= time cosuming and costly

Question 7

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 7

The sample is manipulated to represent the target population (chracteristics)

Question 8

What is one strength and one limitation of stratified sampling?

Answer 8

Strength= representative of target population
Limitation= time consuming and costly

Question 9

What is an opportunity sample?

Answer 9

Using participants who are easily accessible to the researcher

Question 10

What is a strength and a limitation of opportunity sampling?

Answer 10

Strength= easy to do
limitation= produce a biased sample with similar characteristics

Question 11

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 11

Participants volunteer to take part- usually in response to an advertisement

Question 12

What is a strength and a limitation of volunteer sampling?

Answer 12

Strength= easy to do
Limitation= volunteer bias

Question 13

Which sampling techniques are most likely to produce a biased sample?

Answer 13

Volunteer and opportunity

Question 14

Which sampling technique is most likely to be representative of the target population?

Answer 14

Systematic and stratified

Question 15

What is a pilot study?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Give 4 examples of what might be checked during a pilot study

Answer 16

-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?

Question 17

What is informed consent in psychological research?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is deception in psychological research?

Answer 18

Deliberately mileading or withholding information at any stage of the investigation

Question 19

What is protection from harm in psychological research?

Answer 19

If the participant feels stress, embarrassment or feeling inadequate

Question 20

What is confidentiality in psychological research?

Answer 20

Participants have the right to control information about themselves such as personal details, but also details about where the research was carried out

Question 21

What is cost-benefit analysis?

Answer 21

Is the temporary cost for the participants (eg. anxiety) outweighed by the knowledge gained from doing the research?

Question 22

What is the role of the BPS code of ethics?

Answer 22

Sets a standard of respect, competence, resposibility and integrety in a psychological experiment

Question 23

How do researchers deal with the issue of presumptive consent?

Answer 23

A similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable

Question 24

How do researchers deal with the issues of prior general consent?

Answer 24

Participants agree to take part in a study but they also agree to not know the details of the study

Question 25

How do researchers deal with the issues of retrospective consent?

Answer 25

Participants are asked for their consent after an experiment

Question 26

How do researchers deal with the issue of deception?

Answer 26

1. Debrief the participants at the end of the study
2. Give participants the right to withhold data if they wish
3. Reassure them their behaviour is normal
4. Get retrospective consent
5. Do a cost-benefit analysis

Question 27

How do researchers deal with the issue of protection from harm?

Answer 27

1. Give participants the right to withdraw at any point if possible
2. Do a cost-benefit analysis

Question 28

How do researchers deal with the issue of confidentiality?

Answer 28

1. Anonymity
2. Keep questionnaires anonymous
3. Avoid using full name in case studies
4. Remind in debriefing that data will be protected

Question 29

What is the purpose of briefing participants at the start of a study?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

What is the purpose of debriefing the participants at the end of a study?

Answer 30

Reassure them their behaviour is normal

Tell them what they will do with their results