Week 2 research questions Flashcards
goal of psychological research
-describe and explore a social phenomenon
-understand and explain how and why social phenomenon is the way it is
4 types of research questions
-exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, evaluative
exploratory research
- initial attempt to understand/ explore social phenomenon when there is limited prior understanding of the topic
descriptive research
focusing on quantifying phenomenon. who,what,where,when
explanatory research
focused on cause and effect relationship processes (change in A causes change in B)
evaluative research
focuses on value of phenomenon. often includes making recommendations.
hypothesis
testable statement/ assertion about relation between concepts.
operational definition
focus on RQ, decide what data collect to address RQ, specific and concrete, get similar response from all respondents.
qualitative approach
interpretivist assumptions. researcher is subjective and the focus is on subjective (part of process) understandings, feelings, opinions and beliefs.
quantitative approach
positivist assumptions. researcher is objective (not part of process). data is structured by the researcher, numerical.
what is experimental research design
-manipulate variable of interest and observe change. researcher does something to something and measures reaction.
strength and weakness of experimental research design
strength- cause and effect
weakness- unethical to manipulate some things
what is cross sectional research design
-compare different groups of people at same point in time. exploratory, descriptive, explanatory
strength and weakness of cross sectional research design
strength- rapid, low attrition
weakness- sensitive to confounds, no causation, cohort effects
what is longitudinal research design
-compare same people at different points in time. descriptive, explanatory and evaluative.
