Types of Study Flashcards
Sample Techniques
- People cannot investigate all the participants
- Take a sample of them to investigate
- whole population is called target population
- aim to choose representative sample
Random Sample
Each member of the subset has an equal probability of being chosen. A simple random sample is meant to be an unbiased representation of a group
Systemic Sample
Sample members from a larger population are selected according to a random starting point and a fixed, periodic interval.
Opportunity Sample
The sample being drawn from that part of the population that is close to hand
Case study
In depth study of all aspects of a single participant/groups
Case Study - strengths
Can provide information on topics that are unethical or impractical to investigate via experiments e.g. suicide, abuse, provide descriptions of behaviour
Case study - weaknesses
uncontrolled form of data collection and psychologists prefer controlled forms of data collections and cannot always help explain why things happen
Naturalistic Observation
Observing people’s behaviour within a natural setting
Naturalistic Observation - strengths
Results have real world significance
Naturalistic observation - weaknesses
bias - the observer see’s what they expect to see, they are selective in their recording
Longitudinal Studies
involves repeated observation of participants over a period of time - several days, weeks, months, years. Data is collected at the outset of a period and then it is repeated and collected at various points in the study
Longitudinal Studies - strengths
Can develop understanding of abilities and trends over time
Longitudinal Studies - weaknesses
Can require an enormous amount of time, can be expensive, often only a small amount of people participate, therefore it is hard to generalize the results to a wider population. At times people choose to drop out of the study or die
Twin Studies
Certain characteristics of twins are compared in order to determine differences and similarities
Twin studies - strengths
Allows psychologists to understand the role that genetics and the environment has upon behaviour and can develop understanding of abilities and trends over time
Twin Studies - weaknesses
Distinction between environmental factors and genetic influences may not be as clear as twin studies assume and cannot generalize results to rest of the population. Has a history of being inhumane and can only describe not explain
Surverys
Public polling techniques are used to get a number of people to answer psychological questions
Surveys - strengths
Quick and easy way to collect a great deal of information and can measure attitudes, motives and opinions of participants
Surveys - weaknesses
The wording effect - how techniques are worded and ordered can influence their answers. Results of the surveys will not be valid if the survey group isn’t representative of the wider population. They rely in the honesty of the participants and only describe behaviour, do not explain
Introspection
Self-observation
Introspection - strengths
Used to gain insight on memory, learning processes and problem solving
Introspection - weaknesses
Depends on the honesty of the participants and participants will have gaps in their knowledge of themselves
Covert Observations
Those is which the observer is hidden or at least blends in with the society. Doesn’t affect behaviour of those being observed
Overt Observations
One in which the observer makes themselves known to the people being observed
