2.2.1 Methodologies

Question 1

What is a Lab Experiment

Answer 1

A lab exp. is conducted under controlled, artificial conditions.

• Researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) whilst measuring the dependent variable (DV)
• Conducted under both experimental and a control conditions
• Researcher randomly allocates participants to experimental or
  control conditions

Question 2

2 Strengths of LAB EXP.

Answer 2

• High level of control; can infer that the IV caused the DV
• Easy to replicate so that reliability can be checked

Question 3

2 Weaknesses of LAB EXP.

Answer 3

• Problems of demand characteristics.
• Low ecological validity

Question 4

What is a Field Experiment

Answer 4

conducted in a natural environment
- IV is still manipulated by the researcher and the DV is still measured.
- Participants are unaware that they are being researched

Question 5

2 Strengts of a FIELD EXP.

Answer 5

• High in ecological validity.
• Fewer demand characteristics.

Question 6

2 Weaknesses of a FIELD EXP.

Answer 6

• Unethical: participants are unaware of the research.
• Extraneous variables affect results

Question 7

What is a Quasi Experiment

Answer 7

A quasi-experiment is not a ‘true’ experiment because the
researcher has not deliberately manipulated an IV, and participants
are not randomly allocated to an experimental or a control
condition

Question 8

what is a Natural Experiment

Answer 8

A natural experiment is when a research does not deliberately
manipulate an IV, they take advantage of a ‘naturally occurring’ IV.

The DV of a natural experiment may be tested in a laboratory, in the
field or online

Question 9

2 strengths of QUASI/NATURAL EXP.

Answer 9

• Allows research where the IV can’t be manipulated for practical or ethical reasons; a range of behaviours can be investigated
• Allows researchers to investigate ‘real’ problems
  e.g effects of a disaster on health, which can help more people in more situations

Question 10

2 weaknesses of QUASI/NATURAL EXP.

Answer 10

• Cannot demonstrate causal relationships because the IV isn’t manipulated directly so we cannot be sure that the IV caused the DV
• Threat to internal validity due to there being less control of extraneous variables that could be the reason for the DV rather than the IV

Question 11

what is a Participant Observation

Answer 11

The researcher takes part in the research, joining in with those
being observed

The researcher becomes part of the group and does not reveal who
they are

Question 12

2 strengths of PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS

Answer 12

• Less chance of demand characteristics.
• Enables research of people who would otherwise be very difficult to observe

Question 13

2 weaknesses of PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS

Answer 13

• Observer bias may occur.
• Unreliable findings because it is difficult to take notes during the observation > data relies on memory

Question 14

what is a Non-participant Observation

Answer 14

The observer doesn’t take part in the action, but instead watches
and makes notes from a distance

The participants are not aware that they are being observed

Question 15

2 strengths of NON-PTP OBSERVATION

Answer 15

• Less chance of observer bias
• Researchers can see how participants behave rather than relying on self-reports > may produce more valid and reliable findings

Question 16

2 weaknesses of NON-PTP OBSERVATION

Answer 16

• Observer bias: it is difficult to make judgments on thoughts and feelings of participants when they are being watched
• Unethical because participants do not always know they are being observed

Question 17

what is Content Analysis

Answer 17

a type of observational study.

• Written or verbal material such as magazines, television programmes, websites, advertisements etc. are analysed.
• The sample is the artefact(s) being analysed.
• The researcher has to create a coding system, which breaks down the information into categories and a tally is taken each time the material fits a theme

Question 18

2 strengths of CONTENT ANALYSIS

Answer 18

• The artefacts being analysed already exist, so less chance of demand characteristics.
• Can be replicated by others as long as the artefacts are available to other people

Question 19

2 weaknesses of CONTENT ANALYSIS

Answer 19

• Observer bias can affect validity of findings; different observers might interpret the meanings of the categories in the coding system differently
• Cannot draw cause and effect relationships because the origin of the artefacts is usually unknown

Question 20

What is a Structured Interview

Answer 20

The interviewer has a pre-prepared set of questions that are asked in a fixed order.

• Pre-determined questions are used to elicit a verbal response.
• Similar to a questionnaire that is answered by participants either face-to-face or over the telephone with the interviewer, there is no deviation from the original questions

Question 21

2 strengths of STRUCTURED INTERVEIWS

Answer 21

• The same questions are used every time which makes results easy to analyse.
• Replicable, so more reliable because the same questions can be asked in the same way

Question 22

2 weaknesses of STRUCTURED INTERVEIWS

Answer 22

• Can be restrictive because there is no chance to ask further questions.
• Doesn’t allow for ‘spontaneous questions’, which may mean the interviewer is less responsive to the participant

Question 23

What is a Questionaire

Answer 23

A set of written questions where answers are analysed by the researcher.

• Questionnaires can produce quantitative or qualitative data or a mixture of both.
• Traditionally they have been paper/pen based, but more recently psychologists are using on-line options

Question 24

2 strengths of QUESTIONAIRES

Answer 24

• Can be used to assess psychological variables that may not be obvious by just observing someone.
• Data can be collected from a large group of participants more quickly than interviewing them

Question 25

2 weaknesses of QUESTIONAIRES

Answer 25

- There is no guarantee that the participant is telling the truth. - Different participants may interpret the same question in different ways

Question 26

what is a Semi-Structured Interveiw

Answer 26

Begins with a general aim and a few pre-determined questions but subsequent questions develop based on the answers given by the participant. - Sometimes called a clinical interview because it is a bit like the kind of interview you might have with a doctor. - 2 strength They start with some predetermined questions, but further questions are developed as a response to your answers

Question 27

2 strengths of SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVEIWS

Answer 27

- More qualitative information can be gathered by the interviewer because they tailor the questions to the respondent’s responses. - High validity because participants have the opportunity to fully express their true feelings/views

Question 28

2 weaknesses of SEMI STRUCTURED INTERVEIWS

Answer 28

- The same questions are not used every time; results are difficult to analyse, and it is difficult to identify patterns and trends. - Not replicable due to different questions asked each time