What are the fundametals of research?
- Research is described in terms of its aim, procedure, results and findings
- The type of sample that is used affects a study
- Psychologists must follow ethical guidelines when carrying out research
- A study is valid when your findings truly represent the phenomenon you are claiming to measure
- A study is reliable when it can be replicated and produce stable and consistent results
What is a theory?
A theory provides an explanatory framework. From the assumptions of the explanation follows a number of possible hypotheses that can be tested in order to provide support for, or challenge, the theory.
A psychological study has 2 key components: (1) it must describe a behaviour and (2) it must predict a future behaviour
How is a theory evaluated?
TEACUP
Testability. If a theory can not be tested, than it is not a good theory
Empirical evidence. A good theory has empirical support
Application. A good theory can be applied in multiple ways.
Concepts. Everthing should be clearly definded, especially the variables
Unbiased. A good theory should have no bias against gender, culture and age group
Predicitve. A good theory should predict behaviour and not just describe it.
Sampling techniques
- Opportunity sampling Participants are selected based on naturally occuring groups
- Random sampling A sampling technique were everyone has an equal chance of becoming a participant
- Self-selected sampling Participants volounteer to participate
- Snowball sampling Participants recruit new participants
- Stratified sampling The sample matches the make up of the population
