Research Methods

Question 1

What is included when reporting psychological investigations?

Answer 1

Abstract-concise summary, aim, method, results, conclusion
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Question 2

Why do we need references

Answer 2

1. Avoid plagerism
2. Give credit to the original author
3. Allow others to find the original resource

Question 3

2 Types of referencing, how to set it out

Answer 3

Book: ‘surname,initial,book title, publishing location,publisher’

Journal article: ‘surname,initial,year,title of article,title of journal, volume/issue number,page number,web address’

Question 4

What is a peer review

Answer 4

A peer review is when other experts in similar fields evaluate a researchers work before it is published in an academic journal

Question 5

3 aims of a peer review

Answer 5

To allocate research funding-establish worthwhile research for funding

To validate the quality and relevant of the research- all elements assessed for quality and accuracy

To suggest amendments or improvements- suggest minor revisions or suggest inappropriate and should be withdrawn

Question 6

What is the method for completing a peer review?

Answer 6

1. Comment on the validity of the science, identifying scientific errors and evaluating the design and methodology used
2. Evaluate the importance of the findings and how much it advances the field
3. Determine the originality of the work; identifying missing or inaccurate references

Question 7

What are the decisions that can be made from a peer review?

Answer 7

1. Accept the work unconditionally
2. Accept it so long as the researcher improves it
3. Reject it, but suggest revisions and resubmission
4. Reject it outright

Question 8

2 strengths and weaknesses of a peer review

Answer 8

Strengths:
1.helps prevent fraud and plagerism
2.promotes and maintains high standards in research

Weaknesses:
1.accessing an expert isn’t easy
2.anonymity of the reviewers can create issues of hidden bias +/-

Question 9

Which is a normal distribution?
A. Mean=median=mode
B. Mean<median<mode
C. Mode<median<mean

Answer 9

A.

Question 10

Which is a positively skewed distribution?
A. Mean=median=mode
B. Mean<median<mode
C. Mode<median<mean

Answer 10

C.

Question 11

Which way does a positively skewed distribution graphs tail lie?

Answer 11

To the right

Question 12

Which is a negatively skewed distribution?
A. Mean=median=mode
B. Mean<median<mode
C. Mode<median<mean

Answer 12

B.

Question 13

Which way does the tail lie on a negatively skewed graph?

Answer 13

The left

Question 14

What different reasons might explain skewed data on a distribution graph?

How would you remove those issues?

Answer 14

Sample bias
Poor test design (design or measured)

Stratified sampling
Check equipment and test

Question 16

What is the level of significance % in inferential statistics?

Answer 16

Below 5% (0.05)

Question 17

If results were above 5% on a statistical test what would this be due to?

Answer 17

Chance

Question 18

Why have psychologists chosen 5% level of significance?

Answer 18

So we can be confident the IV has affected the DV without ruling out lots of results found which doesn’t breach 0.01

Question 19

Describe a type 1 error?

Answer 19

False positive
When the alternative hypothesis is accepted when the results are due to chance and the null hypothesis is actually true

Question 20

What is a type one error known as?

Answer 20

A false positive

Question 21

What is a type two error also known as?

Answer 21

A false negative

Question 22

Describe a type 2 error?

Answer 22

When the null hypothesis is accepted when the results are due to the IV and the alternative hypothesis is actually true

Question 23

What is an aim?

Answer 23

An aim is a statement of what you are going to investigate

Question 24

What is a hypothesis

Answer 24

A prediction of what you are going to find

Question 25

What is a direction hypothesis also known as?

Answer 25

A one tailed hypothesis

Question 26

What is a non directional hypothesis also known as

Answer 26

A two tailed hypothesis

Question 27

What is a null, direction and non directional hypothesis

Answer 27

Null: there will be no difference Directional: direction in which the results are expected to go Non-directional: states a difference but no direction

Question 28

What are extraneous variables?

Answer 28

Additional, unwanted variables which are identified before the study

Question 29

What are confounding variables?

Answer 29

Variables which change the IV, usually identified after the study or can’t be controlled

Question 30

What are the different types of experimental designs?

Answer 30

Independent groups Matched pairs Repeated measures

Question 31

What is an independent groups design and 2 strengths and weaknesses

Answer 31

Participants only take part in one condition of the experiment. Strengths: •No order effects •Data collection will be less time consuming Weaknesses: •Different participants for each condition-expensive/ difficult •Risk of participant variables

Question 32

What is repeated measure design and 2 strengths and weaknesses

Answer 32

All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment Strengths: •results won’t be subject to participant variables (IV affects DV) •no need for extra participants Weaknesses: •order effects/ demand characteristics •if participant drops out data will be lost from all conditions

Question 33

What is matched pairs design and 2 strengths and weaknesses

Answer 33

Pairs of participants are matched on key variables. One member of each pair is placed into the other group. Strengths: •no order effects •no participant variables Weaknesses: •recruit participant for each condition- expensive/difficult •matching is complex

Question 34

Define target population

Answer 34

The total group of individuals from which the sample might be chosen

Question 35

What is meant by sample bias

Answer 35

Where certain groups may be under or over represented.

Question 36

Types of sampling. Definition

Answer 36

**Random** **Systematic**-select at a regular interval (nth) **Stratified**-classified pop into catagories and choosing sample which is representative of that **Opportunity**- both accessible and willing **Volunteer**- self selected

Question 37

Types of experimental method and description

Answer 37

**lab**-controlled **field**- real world setting, IV manipulated **natural**- IV varies naturally, experimenter choses not to manipulate,measures the effect on DV **Quasi**- IV occurs naturally, experimenter unable to change allocate

Question 39

What are the two types of observation techniques

Answer 39

Structured and unstructured

Question 40

How does a structured observation work?

Answer 40

Behaviour observed with the predetermined coding scheme to record the participants behaviour. There are behavioural categories and sampling methods.

Question 41

How does an unstructured observation work?

Answer 41

Observer watches and records all behaviours seen. No behavioural catagories everything is written down.

Question 42

What is used for a structured observation? What are they?

Answer 42

**Event sampling** record everytime you see the behaviour. An event refers to a specific behaviour on the coding scheme **Time sampling** Recording the behavior for a predetermined length of time. Record all behaviours seen that occurs in that time.

Question 43

What is used for an unstructured observation?

Answer 43

**Continuous recording** Every instance of behaviour or response is watched and recorded in the time period by the observer

Question 44

The 6 types of observations and what are they?

Answer 44

**naturalistic**When the setting hand then manipulated **controlled**The setting had been manipulated **covert**Participants aren’t aware they’re being observed *overt**Participants are aware they’re being observed **participant** The observer is a participant *non-participant**The observer is not a participant

Question 45

What is an interview

Answer 45

A formal conversation between the interviewer and respondent where they both participate in a question answer session. Typically structured, unstructured and semi-structured

Question 46

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 46

Involves a form of consisting of a series of written or printed multiple choice or open questions to be answered. Open or closed.

Question 47

What makes a good question (questionnaire and interview)

Answer 47

1. Language is suitable 2. No emotive language 3. No leading questions 4. Be to the point 5. Don’t use double barrelled negatives 6. Don’t overuse jargen (technical terms)

Question 48

What are correlation coefficients?

Answer 48

A quantifiable figure, calculated from a statistical test the determines the strength and direction of a relationship. It is on a scale from -1 to +1

Question 49

What is a pilot study? And what are its aims?

Answer 49

A small scale trail run of the actual investigation Aims to allow the researcher to identify any potential issues and to modify the design or procedure, saving time and money in the long run

Question 50

What are the ethical considerations in psychology

Answer 50

Withdrawl Informed consent Confidentiality Deception Distress (by DEBRIEFING)

Question 51

What is standard deviation?

Answer 51

A measure of how dispersed the data is in relation of the mean

Question 52

What is meant by operationalised

Answer 52

involves clearly specifying/defining variables in how they can be measured