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RM YEAR 1 > Types of experiments & sampling > Flashcards

Types of experiments & sampling Flashcards

1
Q

What is a laboratory experiment?

A
  • An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV
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2
Q

Strengths of a laboratory experiment

A
  • high control over confounding and extraneous variables
  • can establish cause & effect (high internal validity)
  • easy to replicate because of the high level of control e.g. standardisation
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3
Q

Weaknesses of a laboratory experiment

A
  • high chance of demand characteristics
  • lacks mundane realism (not like everyday experience)
  • lacks generalisability (lab is artificial)
  • low external validity
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4
Q

What is a field experiment?

A
  • An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records effect on the DV
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5
Q

Strengths of a field experiment

A
  • less chance of demand characteristics
  • higher mundane realism
  • high external validity (produces more valid and authentic behaviour)
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6
Q

Weaknesses of field experiments

A
  • cause and effect difficult to establish due to loss of control of EVs and CVs (low internal validity)
  • precise replication impossible
  • ethical issues if participants are unaware they are being studied (cannot consent)
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7
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A
  • An experiment where the change in IV is not brought about by the researcher
  • The IV is naturally occurring and researcher records effect on the DV
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8
Q

Strenghts of a natural experiment

A
  • provides opportunities for research that may not otherwise be undertaken for ethical or practical reasons
  • high external validity (study of real world issues)
  • less chance of demand characteristics
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9
Q

Weaknesses of a natural experiment

A
  • naturally occurring events may happen rarely reducing opportunities for research
  • low control over the EVs and CVs, cause & effect hard to establish - low internal validity
  • cannot be replicated
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10
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

An experiment in which the IV is naturally occurring but is based on an existing difference between people (age, gender)

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11
Q

Strengths of a Quasi experiment

A
  • high ecological/external validity- due to lack of involvement of researcher
    > findings can be generalized to real-life settings
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12
Q

Weakenesses of quasi experiment

A
  • low internal validity - researcher cannot accurately assess affect on DV due to lack of control of EVs and DVs
  • not replicable- due to researchers lack of control so reliability cannot be assessed
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13
Q

What is meant by term population?

A
  • A large group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying
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14
Q

What is meant by the term sample?

A
  • A smaller group of individuals drawn from a target population and are representative of that population
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15
Q

What is random sampling?

A
  • form of sampling which all members of target population have a equal chance of being selected
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16
Q

How to get a random sample?

A
  • obtain list of all members of target population
  • assign names on the list with a number
  • select sample through use of the lottery method ( names in hat, random generator etc)
17
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A
  • form of sampling when every nth member of the target population is selected
18
Q

How to obtain a systematic sample?

A
  • list of people in target population organised e.g. alphabetical order
  • choose sampling system ( every 6th, 3rd etc)
  • work through list until full sample complete
19
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A
  • sophisticated form of sampling in which researchers first divide a population into smaller subgroups, or strata (shared characteristics) and then randomly select among each stratum in the proportion they occur in the population to form the final sample
20
Q

How to obtain a stratified sample?

A
  • researcher identifies different strata that make up the population
  • select sample from each strata (random) in the same proportion they occur in the population ( work this out)
21
Q

What is opportunity sampling?

A
  • researchers decide to selects anyone who happens to be willing and available
22
Q

How to obtain a opportunity sample?

A
  • researcher asks whoever is around at the time of the study
23
Q

What is volunteer sampling?

A
  • participants select themeselves to be part of the sample- self-selection
24
Q

How to obtain a volunteer sample?

A
  • reseacher places an advert in a newspaper or notice board
25
Q

strengths of random sampling

A
  • free from bias from researcher part
  • produces representative samples
  • everyone has an equal chance of being selected
26
Q

Weaknesses of random sampling

A
  • difficult and time consuming to conduct (list)
  • small minority groups may distort results
  • selected participants may refuse to take part
27
Q

Strengths of systematic sampling

A
  • free from bias, hence likely to be representative
  • can generalize results
28
Q

Weaknesses of systematic sampling

A
  • method is time consuming
  • those selected may refuse to take part
  • by chance it could generate a biased sample ( periodic traits)
29
Q

Strengths of stratified sampling

A
  • more representative than other methods > due to proportional representation
  • can generalize results
30
Q

Weakness of stratified sampling

A
  • more time consuming than other methods as you have to identify subgroups
  • stratification is not perfect- cannot reflect all ways people are different
31
Q

Strengths of opportunity sampling

A
  • Quick and convenient
  • less costly
32
Q

Weaknesses of opportunity sampling

A
  • researcher bias as they choose so may avoid certain people
  • sample is unrepresentative of target population as it is drawn from specific area
33
Q

Strengths of volunteer sampling

A
  • quick and easy as it requires minimal effort from researcher
  • less time consuming than other forms
  • attract participants who are more engaged
34
Q

Weaknesses of volunteer sampling

A
  • volunteer bias, may attract a certain type of person e.g. more confident
  • hard to generalize due to bias

RM YEAR 1 (9 decks)

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