Tuesday Test Flashcards
Define reliability
Whether the research can be replicated through a standardised procedure to produce consistent results
- To what extent can it be accurately replicated?
Define validity
- Does it measure what it’s supposed to measure?
Internal = are the variables controlled. Are you sure of the IVs impact on the DV?
External = can it be applied to a real life scenario? (Ecological validity)
Define subjectivity
When the research/results are open to interpretation, opinions and research a bias (Qualitative data)
Define objectivity
When the research is not open to interpretation, opinions or researcher bias
(Quantitive data)
Strengths of quantitive data
- It’s objective - making it easy to analyse and compare data.
-As it’s not open to interpretation, it’s also a lot less time-consuming meaning more data can be collected which makes the research more reliable and easier to generalise. - Reliable and highly scientific because the reseach do not need to be personally interpreted, it is clear and objective
Weaknesses to quantitive data
- Numerical data only tells you how often behaviour occurs not the underlying motivation or thoughts - this undermines the research validity
- It cannot generate qualitative data whereas qualitative data can be broken down to generate quantitive data
Strengths to qualitative data
- It produces more detail and allows researchers to make more in-depth conclusions (high ecological validity)
- It can be broken down into quantitive data
Weaknesses to qualitative data
- It’s difficult to analyse statistically and therefore hard to generalise from
-It’s more likely subjective research which is open to interpretation, opinions and research a bias (low internal validity)
Examples of quantitive data
Numerical data, closed questions or likert/ranking scale
Examples of qualitative data
Open-ended surveys, self report data, interviews, case studies
What are open questions?
Questions that can be answered subjectively, participants can explain and express opinions. It is not a numerical or straight up response.
What are closed questions?
Questions that have a fixed/limited amount of responses. They are very clear and objective
E.g - yes or no or multiple choice
What is the likert/ranking scales?
Where participants rate their opinion/attitude through multiple choice or a numerical value
What is self report data?
Information elicited from questions that rely on participants reporting their own behaviour/feelings
E.g - interviews
2 advantages of the likert/ranking scales
- Easy to analyse and compare data
- ## Less time consuming so more data can be produced, it can be easily replicated and reliable therefore more generalisable
2 disadvantages of the likert/ranking scales
- They do not generate in-depth, quality responses and participants cannot expand on their views so it may not be an accurate reflection of their thoughts/behaviour
- Pps may have different opinions to the options available - therefore it is restricting the pps from answering honestly and reducing the validity of the research
Strength and weaknesses of closed questions
S
- Easy to replicate for reliability
- Easy to interpret and statistically analyse - objective
- Well controlled as the questions require a clear defined response
W
- Demand characteristics I’m more likely to occur as there are ‘socially desirable answers’ - reducing validity
- Limited options may produce a lack of engagement
Strength and weaknesses of open questions
S
- Detailed and more valid in-depth responses as people can express their opinions
- Good way of accessing pps motivations and feelings
W
- Subjective interpretation means low reliability
- Hard to analyse statistically
- More time consuming meaning less participant data meaning less generalisable
Strengths and weaknesses of self-report data
S
- More detail into participants thoughts and feelings
- Psychologist can investigate future behaviour from pps from their thought processes
- Pps can use their own experiences increasing the ecological validity
W
- Relies on honest, insightful, articulate pps
- Pps may give ‘socially desirable answers’ to reflect social norms
What is a questionnaire?
A set of predetermined questions aimed to elicit the attitudes and opinions of participants about an issue
Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires
S
- Time and cost-effective - they can be quickly administered online
This means more people can take part making the results more reliable and generalisable
- Private and anonymous = more honest opinions which improves validity
- Reduced researcher involvement reduces the chance of researcher bias
W
- Response rates can be poor without the presence of a researcher which makes the results hard to generalise
- It may be that only certain types of people take part in questionnaire - not representative of a wider population
- Be difficult to phrase questions in ways that are objective for pps to answer
What is an interview?
When the researcher and participants engage in a face-to-face conversation gaining verbal information
Strengths and weaknesses of interviews
S
- A well conducted interview can address sensitive issues that other methods are not able to address
- A good source of qualitative data
W
- Research a bias and demand characteristics are more likely
- It may only be confident, honest and articulate individuals who volunteer which is not representative of a wider population
- The research is highly dependent on the skills of the interviewer especially with unstructured interviews
