Social Psychology Research Methods: Questionnaires, Interviews, Sampling

Question 1

what is quantitative data?

Answer 1

numerical data that can be expressed graphically

Question 2

what is qualitative data?

Answer 2

expressed in written form/verbal longer form of answer

Question 3

what is an open ended question?

Answer 3

the researcher does not restrict the range of available answers.

E.g. a researcher might start an interview by asking ‘what are your views on the use of corporal punishments by parents?’

Question 4

what is a closed question?

Answer 4

provides limited response choice with a pre-determined range of possible answers. Often take form of Likert scales (ranked scales) or yes/no questions. Best used when straightforward factual information is required

Question 5

strengths and weaknesses of open questions?

Answer 5

Strengths:
- more detailed answers
- provides rich details of a person’s thoughts as they are free to express themselves. unrestricted by categories
- there may be useful, unexpected findings

Weaknesses:
- might not give exact results, making it harder to categorise
- difficult to draw conclusions as there are a wide range of answers from the respondents
- interpretation of answers require subjective reasoning. The interpreted meaning may be wholly accurate

Question 6

strengths and weaknesses of closed questions?

Answer 6

Strengths:
- easy to analyse as the data is in numbers
- answers are objective and require no interpretation from researchers

Weaknesses:
- may not permit people to express precise feelings as there are predetermined answers
- over simplifies human experiences with simple answers
- ranked scale = participants may respond in the same way to all questions

Question 7

How did Burger use questionnaires in his study?

Answer 7

• for empathetic concern
• for desire for personal control

Question 8

Why would a questionnaire be appropriate for measuring empathic concern and desire for personal control?

Answer 8

• time efficient
• easy comparison
• encourage honestly when reporting personal thoughts or opinions

Question 9

what is a structured interview?

Answer 9

Standardized questions, often closed, yielding quick and quantitative data. No rapport needed, but responses may lack depth and feel restrictive.

Question 10

what is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 10

Some standard questions, but order can vary, allowing follow-up questions to clarify or explore new topics. Can include focus groups.

Question 11

what is a unstructured interview?

Answer 11

Free-flowing and conversational with flexible questions. Allows interviewer to adjust based on responses and requires more skill for in-depth insights.

Question 12

advantages and disadvantages of interviews?

Answer 12

Advantages:
- interviews can tackle sensitive topics. Allows researchers to identify aspects of behaviour that are person e.g. fear of dying or sexual health. This would be more difficult to expose using more impersonal research techniques

Disadvantages:
- social desirability bias. Participants may not be truthful in their answers changing them to be what ‘should’ be said and not their own beliefs

Question 13

what is a target population?

Answer 13

A target population is the group a researcher wants to study (e.g., all A-level psychology students). Since it’s often too large, researchers study a sample instead.

A larger sample generally gives a more accurate representation of the target population, but choosing sample size involves balancing accuracy with practical factors like time and cost.

Question 14

what is random sampling?, give strengths and weaknesses, give example

Answer 14

This is when every person in a given target has an equal chance of being selected. This means that it is necessary to have a list (sometimes referred to as a sampling frame) that identifies every person in the target population.

• Strengths – increased chances of getting a representative sample and therefore, has high population validity. Could prevent sampling bias.
  *Weaknesses – selecting a random sample does not guarantee a sample that is totally representative of the population concerned. However, as long as the target population and sample size have been chosen carefully, the laws of probability predict the chance of selecting a biased sample is minimal. Takes more effort and time.

For example: imagine you wanted to take a sample of people from Harrow Swimming Club (your target population). You would need to get every name of every member and then take your sample. In this case, you could get all their names and put them in a hat, then pull out each one. Every member of the swimming has an equal chance of getting selected.

Question 15

what is opportunity sampling?, give strengths and weaknesses, give example

Answer 15

This is a widely used non-random method of sampling because it is convenient (in fact it is sometimes referred to as convenience sample). It is when you use people who are available to you. To select people who have the opportunity to take part. This can be for many reasons, i.e. they know you, they just happen to be in a particular place.

*Strengths – most convenient, take least amount of preparation
*Weakness – unlikely to generate a sample that is representative of the wider target population from which it is drawn. Therefore, the findings of the study may not be able to be generalised (low population validity)

For example: in the swimming club, you could stand at the entrance of the building and ask members as they come in whether they want to participate in your study. They happen to be there.

Question 16

what is volunteer sampling?, give strengths and weaknesses, give example

Answer 16

This is another random sampling technique that involves participants selecting themselves to take part in a research study, often replying to an advertisement. This type of sampling has been widely used in university research.

*Strengths – very convenient method and good way of getting specialised groups of participants.
*Weaknesses – the majority of a given target population are unlikely to respond to the request to participate, and those who do respond (i.e. volunteers) may not be typical of the target population in some way. Data gathered from this potentially biased sample are unlikely to be representative of the target population and so the findings of the study cannot be generalised (low population validity).

For example: in the swimming club, you could place an advertisement in the entrance to the swimming pool asking if anyone would be interested in being part of your research.

Question 17

what is stratified sampling?, give strengths and weaknesses, give example

Answer 17

If the target population has prominent characteristics that need ot be proportionately represented in the sample recruited, a stratified sampling technique can be used.

*Strengths - most representative method so can be generalised
*Weakness – it is difficult to know how many individuals make up an appropriate sample and could lead to bias as not all subgroups can be accounted for.

For example: if you are researching workplace stress in the workplace in a company, you can find out how many staff occupy different roles within the company. For example; office clerks, managers, canteen staff, cleaners etc. as there may be more clerks than managers, more clerks need to be recruited for the study than managers in order to represent the company staff more fairly. Each subgroup within the company can be randomly sampled by placing the name of all the clerks in a hat, for example and drawing out a proportionate number.