Year 2 Research Methods

Question 1

When should a histogram be used?

Answer 1

When there is continuous data (i.e. height, weight, time / when one axis represents frequency).

Question 2

When should a bar chart be used?

Answer 2

When data is represented in two or more categories (e.g. males/females).

The bars on a bar chart must be separate!!

Question 3

How is a sign test conducted?

Answer 3

1) . Work out the difference between the two sets of data (+ or - (= if they are the same)).
2) . Add the number of positives and negatives.
3) . Calculated value / S value = least frequent sign.
4) . N value = total number of positive and negative signs (ignore ‘=’ signs).
5) . Compare the S value with the critical value (must be less than or equal to critical value to be significant).

Question 4

What is a type I error?

Answer 4

When a researcher incorrectly rejects a true null hypothesis. E.g. findings are reported as significant thought they actually occurred by chance.

Question 5

What are the requirements for a bar chart?

Answer 5

• Bars must not be joined
• Axis must be operationalised when labelled (e.g. number of metres ran)
• Number on the y-axis must be at regular intervals
• The chart must have a title.
• independent variable must be x-axis, dependent variable must be y-axis.

Question 6

How are histograms constucted?

Answer 6

The frequency density must be calculated. Then the width of the bar is proportional to the class width. Bars should touch each other.

Question 7

How is frequency density calculated?

Answer 7

Class width (difference between two numbers) / frequency.

Question 8

What should the y-axis be labelled as on a histogram?

Answer 8

Frequency density.

Question 9

What is a type II error?

Answer 9

Researcher fails to reject a null hypothesis which is actually false. E.g. the findings are reported as insignificant when they actually are.

Question 10

How is percentage decrease calculated?

Answer 10

Previous value - new value x 100

Question 11

Outline the process of peer review.

Answer 11

The report of the study is distributed to several established psychologist who will review and report back areas of amendment.

Question 12

What is a single-blind review?

Answer 12

The names of the reviewers are not given to the researcher - prevents interference by the researcher.

Question 13

What is a double-blind review?

Answer 13

Both the names of the reviewers and names of the researchers are not known by either party - ensures biases on the basis of gender, ethnicity and so on do not occur.

Question 14

What is an open review?

Answer 14

The reviewers and researchers are known to each other.

Question 15

What is a content analysis?

Answer 15

A method of quantifying qualitative data through coding units. E.g. number of slang words used.

Question 16

Give an advantage of content analysis.

Answer 16

Advantages of Content Analysis:
- Reliable - content analysis is easy to replicate as coding units can be re-used.

• Compliments other methodology - supports longitudinal studies as coding units may be used over time.

Question 17

Give a disadvantage of content analysis.

Answer 17

Disadvantages of content analysis:

- Lack of causation - not performed under controlled conditions therefore cannot be used to show causation.

Question 18

What is counterbalancing?

Answer 18

The process of reversing the study with one half of a sample.

Question 19

Where can counterbalancing be used?

Answer 19

Repeated measures design studies only.

Question 20

What is the purpose of counterbalancing?

Answer 20

To reduce order effects.

Question 21

List the 12 features of a scientific report in the order they should appear.

Answer 21

1) . Title
2) . Table of Contents
3) . Abstract
4) . Introduction
5) . Aims
6) . Hypothesis
7) . Procedure/method
8) . Findings
9) . Discussion
10) . Conclusion
11) . References
12) . Appendices

Question 22

Define nominal data.

Answer 22

Data that can only appear in one category, once. E.g. naming you favourite football team.

Question 23

Define ordinal data.

Answer 23

Numerical data though intervals are subjective - e.g. asking someone to rate something on a scale of 1-10.

Question 24

Define interval data.

Answer 24

Data that is numerical on an ordered scale - e.g. tally scores (8 is twice as much as 4).

Question 25

What are the three tests that can be used in correlational studies?

Answer 25

Chi-Squared
Spearman’s rho
Pearson’s r

Question 26

What test is used in a correlational study with nominal data?

Answer 26

Chi-Squared.

Question 27

What test is used in a correlational study with ordinal data?

Answer 27

Spearman’s rho.

Question 28

What test is used in a correlational study with interval data?

Answer 28

Pearson’s r.

Question 29

Name the three tests that can be used in a study of difference with a related design.

Answer 29

Sign test
Wilcoxon
Related t-test

Question 30

What test is to be used when the study of difference has a related design and nominal data?

Answer 30

Sign test.

Question 31

What test is to be used when the study of difference has a related design and ordinal data?

Answer 31

Wilcoxon.

Question 32

Which test should be used when the study of difference has a related design and interval data?

Answer 32

Related t-test.

Question 33

Name the three tests that could be used in a study of difference with an unrelated design.

Answer 33

Chi-squared
Mann-Whitney
Unrelated t-test.

Question 34

Which test should be used when the study of difference has an unrelated design and nominal data?

Answer 34

Chi-squared

Question 35

Which test should be used when a study of difference has an unrelated design and ordinal data?

Answer 35

Mann-Whitney.

Question 36

Which test should be used when a test of difference has an unrelated design and interval data?

Answer 36

Unrelated t-test.

Question 37

Define paradigm shift.

Answer 37

An important change over time in the basic principles and experimental practices of a scientific discipline.

Question 38

What is a thematic analysis?

Answer 38

When the researcher will repeatedly review their study to identify themes to quantify the qualitative data.