Research methods

Question 1

Lab strengths and weaknesses and what is it

Answer 1

IV is manipulated by researcher
+ high levels of control - standardised so less chance of extraneous variables
+highly replicable
+ cause and effect relationships
+high internal validity
- lacks mundane realism - leads to demand characteristics
- lacks ecological validity

Question 2

Field strength and weakness and what it is

Answer 2

An experiment done in the ps natural environment - eg shopping centre or town
+ high mundane realism - less demand characteristics
+ ecological validity - good external validity
- less control over extraneous variables
- can’t randomly assign ps

Question 3

Naturalistic - strengths and weaknesses and what it is

Answer 3

The IV can’t be changed due to naturally occurred circumstances - eg a child going to hospital at 5 and 10

+external validity - low chance of DC’s

+ allows research that couldn’t happen in controlled research due to ethical issues

• can’t control extraneous variables so can’t have a cause and effect relationship
• can’t be replicated easily
• can’t randomly assign people to experimental conditions

Question 5

Types of observation - naturalistic vs controlled

Answer 5

Naturalistic - where behaviour would normally take place - better validity

Controlled - manipulation of IV
Some control over extraneous variables
Better reliability as findings are more consistent

Question 6

Types of observation - overt vs covert

Answer 6

Overt - ps are aware they are being watched and give informed consent
Higher reliability but reduced validity

Covert - ps are unaware they are apart of a study - ethical issues of consent
Higher reliability and validity

Question 7

Types of observation - participant and non-participant

Answer 7

Participant - the researcher becomes involved in the experiment

Non-participant - the researcher remains separate as it can be difficult to intergrate into a study

Question 8

Types of observation - structured and unstructured

Answer 8

Structured -