⁸what is a sample
the group of people selected who represent that target population
what is a target population
the group of people the psychologists want to be able to generalise findings to
what is opportunity sampling
- asking people that are readily available to you and are willing to participate
what is a strengths and weakness of opportunity sampling
+ easiest,quickest and most economical way to obtain pp
- produce a bias sample as only certain types of people will be selected
what is a volunteer/self selecting sample
- people who want to take part in research volunteer themselves
what is a strength and weakness of volunteer sampling
+ gives a wide range of access to potential pp, convenient and ethical as have informed consent
- often unrepresentative as leads to bias sample as dont respond unless have a strong interest
what is random sampling
every member has an equal chance of being selected. ALL potential pp are entered into a draw and randomly selected
what is a strength and weakness of random sampling
+least bias method as all pp have an equal chance of being selected
- very diffcult and time consuming to do
what is snow ball sampling
ask pp to suggest someone else who might be willling to volunteer
what is a strength and weakness of snowball sampling
+ possible to include members of groups where no lists or identifiable clusters even exist
- there is no way of knowing whether the sample is representative
What is internal validity
How well a study measures what it sets out to measure at the start of the research
How is internal validity increased
Increased if there is lots of control implemented in the procedure
What are extraneous varibales
Variables that could distort the resukts of the study
What is a situational variable
Any factors within the environment that can affect pp behaviour and results
What are individual differences
Any differences between pp not accounted for eg age
What are researcher effects
If the researcher acts differently to different pp/conditions
They should not give any cues to pp
What are demand characteristucs
When the pp figures out the aim so behaves in a way that they think the researcher wants to see
What is social desirability
When a pp behaves in a way that makes them seem socially desirable and acceptable
What is external validity
The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to factors outside of research
What is ecological validity
Whether the task and setting reflect real life situations
What is population validity
Wether the sample is representative to the wider target population
What is informed consent
Pp should be told the nature,purpose and anticipated co sequences of any research. Researcher should gain informed consent at the beginning of research
What is tye right to withdraw
Researchers should make it clear to pp their rught to withdraw at any anytime irrespective of payment. If they withdraw they have the right to demand their own data and recordings to be destroyer
What is privacy and confidentiality
Pp privacy should be respected and pp should only be observed in a public place. Names or details of pp should not be released
