Understanding the research process

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

The purpose of the study

- indicates which behaviour or mental process will be studied

Question 2

Target population

Answer 2

The group whose behaviour the research wishes to investigate

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Step by step process used by the researcher to carry out the study

Question 4

Findings

Answer 4

These state how the researcher interpreted the data that were collected

Question 5

Participants

Answer 5

People who take part in a psychological study

Question 6

Representative sample

Answer 6

The sample that represents a population

Question 7

Opportunity sampling

Answer 7

A sample of whoever happens to be there and agrees to participate

Question 8

Strengths of opportunity sampling

Answer 8

• Easy way to get participants

Question 9

Weaknesses of opportunity sampling

Answer 9

• Leads to biased results

- Problematic to generalised from these studies

Question 10

Sampling bias

Answer 10

Involves problems with generalising findings to a larger population