Psych - A2 & AS > Research Methods AS > Flashcards

Research Methods AS Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the four main types of experiments?

A
  1. Lab
  2. Field
  3. Natural
  4. Quasi
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2
Q

What is a lab study? Give two advantages and disadvantages.

A

Research carried out in a controlled, artificial setting - IV is manipulated.
S: 1) high control 2) Ease of replication
W: 1) lack of ecological validity 2) risk of demand characteristics

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3
Q

What is a natural study? Give two advantages and disadvantages.

A

A study measuring variables that aren’t manipulated - IV is naturally occurring.
S: 1) Ethical 2) Ecologically valid
W: 1) Participant allocation - extraneous variables may have affect 2) Rarity of events occurring 3) Cause & effect can’t be determined

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4
Q

What is a field study? Give two advantages and disadvantages.

A

Research carried out in natural environment - IV is manipulated.
S: 1) Ecologically valid 2) Low demand characteristics
W: 1) Less control 2) Unethical - distress, debrief issue, no consent

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5
Q

What is a quasi study? Give two advantages and disadvantages.

A

A natural experiment carried out in a lab setting - IV naturally occurring.
S: 1) High control 2) Ease of replication
W: 1) lack of ecological validity 2) risk of demand characteristics

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6
Q

What are the three main experimental designs?

A
  1. Independent measures
  2. Repeated measures
  3. Matched pair design
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7
Q

Describe independent measures design. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages

A

Different pps are used in each condition - half do condition A, other half do condition B. DV is compared between groups.
S: 1) No order effects 2) Lower risk of demand characteristics
W: 1) Individual differences 2) Twice as many pps needed

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8
Q

Describe repeated measures design. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Same pps used in both conditions, DV compared.
S: 1) No individual differences 2) Fewer pps needed
W: 1) Risk of order effects 2) Risk of demand characteristics

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9
Q

Describe matched pairs design. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Pps in one condition matched on certain variables (age, gender, intelligence etc) to pps in other condition
S: 1) No order effects 2) Participant variables reduced
W: 1) Twice as many pps required 2) Time-consuming - difficult to match people

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10
Q

How can extraneous variables be reduced in experimental designs?

A

Random allocation - each pp has an equal chance of being in one condition

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11
Q

How can order effects be reduced in experimental designs?

A

Counterbalancing - Half the pps do condition 1 and half do condition 2, then swap

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12
Q

What is the difference between correlations and experiments?

A
  1. There’s no manipulation of variables in correlations - they’re simply measured to look for a relationship.
  2. In correlations, they may be intervening variables that influence the effect on the DV
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13
Q

State four strengths of using correlations

A
  1. No ethical issues
  2. Quick and cheap to carry out - no need for controlled environment
  3. Can provide a tool for further study - often the starting point to detect patterns
  4. Useful tool for research - provides precise measure of how two variables are related
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14
Q

State three weaknesses of using correlations

A
  1. Don’t show cause and effect - only a relationship
  2. Could be a third (intervening) variable
  3. Research is often exaggerated - can have negative effects for some groups of people e.g. correlations of types of people who commit crimes
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15
Q

What are the main types of observation techniques?

A
  1. Naturalistic
  2. Controlled
  3. Participant
  4. Non-participant
  5. Disclosed/overt
  6. Undisclosed/covert
  7. Structured
  8. Unstructured`
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16
Q

Describe a naturalistic observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to observing people in their natural environment - no manipulation.
S: 1) Ecologically valid 2) Less chance of demand characteristics
W: 1) Ethical issues - consent, debrief 2) Risk of observer bias

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17
Q

Describe a controlled observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to observing people in a controlled environment - manipulation.
S: 1) High control 2) Can obtain lots of complex data - form reliable results
W: 1) Risk of demand characteristics 2) Low ecological validity

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18
Q

Describe a participant observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to the observer joining in and observing them-self, as well as others - take notes or use CCTV.
S: 1) More detailed data 2) Observer will have a better understanding of the group dynamic
W: 1) Risk of observer bias 2) Retrospective data - rely on memory

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19
Q

Describe a non-participant observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to when the observer doesn’t take part.
S: 1) Less observer bias 2) Ecologically valid
W: 1) Observer may not have in-depth understanding of group dynamic 2) Observer effect - may influence pps behaviour

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20
Q

Describe a disclosed/overt observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to the observer’s identity being known by pps.
S: 1) Ethical - consent taken 2) Can take in-depth notes during observation
W: 1) Risk of demand characteristics 2) Risk of observer bias

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21
Q

Describe a undisclosed/covert observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to the observer’s identity being concealed.
S: 1) Less chance of demand characteristics 2) Observer can get in-depth understanding of group/observation
W: 1) Ethical issues - consent 2) Observer can’t take notes during study - has to record or recall

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22
Q

Describe a structured observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to when the observer has a set checklist for behaviour
S: 1) Easier to gain relevant data 2) Allows for quantitative data to be produced quickly - can be quantified easily
W: 1) Only useful for small scale observations 2) Lack of representation of all valid behaviours

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23
Q

Describe an unstructured observation technique. Give 2 advantages and disadvantages.

A

Refers to the observer recording everything without a checklist.
S: 1) Qualitative data produced - more descriptive 2)Unexpected behaviours can be recorded
W: 1) Difficult to conclude - detailed data 2) Hard to replicate results for correlation

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24
Q

What are the ways of organising observations?

A
  1. Recording data - notes or video/audio recording
  2. Categorising data - define the behaviours being observed, operationalise behaviour
  3. Rating behaviour - rating scale or coding system
  4. Sampling behaviour - event sampling or time sampling
  5. Inter-rater reliability - can be used to overcome observer bias
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25
What methods can be used for higher control in experiments?
Randomisation - use of chance to control for effects of bias Standardisation - pps in same conditions with same procedures to increase reliability
26
What are the two main self-report methods?
Questionnaires & Interviews
27
State 3 advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires.
``` Advantages: 1) Cheap 2) Can obtain large sample 3) Can be time efficient - no researcher needed Disadvantages: 1) Low response rate usually 2) Risk of lying - Social desirability bias, demand characteristics 3) Questions may be misunderstood ```
28
What factors need to be considered when designing a questionnaire?
1. Type of data - open or closed questions 2. Ambiguity 3. Double barrelled questions 4. Leading questions 5. Complexity - clear English, defined specialist terms 6. Ethical - informed consent, confidentiality
29
What are the four main types of interview?
1. Structured/Formal 2. Unstructured/Informal 3. Semi-structured 4. Clinical
30
Describe a structured interview. Give an advantage and disadvantage.
Set questions with closed answers for all participants. S: Quick W: Not enough detail - limited analysis
31
Describe an unstructured interview. Give an advantage and disadvantage.
Casual interview w/out set questions - open questions. S: Pps more likely to be honest due to feeling comfortable W: Pps may go off topic - won't get data needed
32
Describe a semi-structured interview. Give an advantage and disadvantage.
Some open and closed questions e.g. job interviews. S: Lots of data obtained W: Risk of interviewer bias
33
Describe a clinical interview. Give an advantage and disadvantage.
Questions are based on previous answers given e.g. doctor's appt. S: Get relevant and detailed understanding of participant W: Questioning may be too intense
34
What factors need to be considered when designing an interview?
1. How structured the interview is 2. Ensure questions aren't asked twice 3. Behaviour of interviewer could affect participants reaction
35
State three advantages and disadvantages of interviews.
Advantages: 1) Deals well with complicated or sensitive issues 2) Interviewer can clarify any misunderstood questions 3) Can gain detailed information Disadvantages: 1) Risk of social desirability bias 2) Risk of interview effects 3) Training is needed to be an interviewer
36
Define a hypothesis
A precise, detailed statement about the expected outcome that needs to be fully operationalised
37
What is an alternative hypothesis?
States that there is a relationship between the two variables (not manipulated) being studied - it states that the results are significant in terms of supporting the theory being investigated.
38
What is a null hypothesis?
States that there is no relationship between the two variables being studied - it states results are due to chance and are not significant in terms of supporting the idea being investigated.
39
What is an experimental hypothesis?
States that there is a relationship between the two variables (IV manipulated) being studied - it states that the results are significant in terms of supporting the theory being investigated.
40
What is a one-tailed (directional) hypothesis?
A hypothesis in which a specific prediction is made - states which variable will affect which
41
What is a two-tailed (non-directional) hypothesis?
A hypothesis in which a relationship is predicted, but the direction isn't specific
42
What is the difference between confounding and extraneous variables?
Confounding - Nonsense variables interfering with measuring of DV e.g. time of day, weather Extraneous - Variables that directly affect the dependent variable e.g. individual differences, demand characteristics
43
What is the purpose of a pilot study?
To do a trial of the study on a few pps of the target population to identify any possible errors, such as ambiguity, floor effects or ceiling effects.
44
What are 6 different sampling methods?
1. Random 2. Stratified 3. Systematic 4. Snowball 5. Volunteer 6. Opportunity
45
Describe random sampling and give two advantages and disadvantages
Each person has an equal chance. S: 1) Fair selection 2) Eliminated sampling bias W: 1) Not always representative - sampling error 2) Impractical is sample is large
46
Describe opportunity sampling and give two advantages and disadvantages
Pps are chosen on availability there and then. S: 1) Quick & easy to do 2) Useful in pilot studies - obtain sample w/out randomisation complication W: 1) Subject to bias selection 2) May not be representative
47
Describe volunteer sampling and give two advantages and disadvantages
Pps volunteer to participate. S: 1) Ethical - informed consent 2) Can be a large sample to choose from W: 1) Only certain type of people will volunteer 2) Advertising method needs to be accessible for all people
48
Describe systematic sampling and give two advantages and one disadvantage
Choose subjects in systematic way - every nth person chosen. S: 1) Easy to do 2) Removes selection bias W: 1) May not be representative
49
Describe stratified sampling and give two advantages and one disadvantage
Pps chosen according to proportion in target population. S: 1) Very representative of target population 2) Reduces selection bias W: 1) Difficult to do
50
Describe snowball sampling and give two advantages and disadvantages
Pps recommend others with similar traits of interest. S: 1) Quick method 2) Allows researcher to reach hard-to-reach populations W: 1) Sampling bias 2) Researcher has little control over pps
51
Define peer review
The process by which psychological research papers are subjected to independent scrutiny by other psychologists
52
What three factors do peer reviews assess?
Validity, significance and originality
53
What are the three main purposes of peer review?
1. Allocation of research funding 2. Publication of research in scientific journals and books 3. Assess research rating of university departments
54
Why is peer review necessary?
1. Increases probability that weaknesses are identified and addressed 2. Helps prevent publishing irrelevant findings or unacceptable interpretations 3. Ensures published research can be taken seriously
55
What are some criticisms of peer review?
1. Isn't always possible to find appropriate expert 2. Anonymity - relationships between peers may interfere with objectivity 3. Publication bias - may favour research that proves their hypothesis 4. Preserving status quo - favour research supporting existing research
56
How are peer review and the internet related?
Information widely available online - need to maintain the quality
57
What are the four ethical principles researchers should adhere to at all times?
Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity
58
What are the main five ethical issues?
1. Deception - active and passive 2. Protection from physical/psychological harm 3. Confidentiality 4. Informed consent 5. Privacy
59
What are the methods to deal with ethical issues?
1. Debriefing 2. Right to withdraw 3. Counselling 4. Anonymity
60
What are the methods to deal with no informed consent?
Presumptive consent - consent from similar group of people, assumed actual pps will be willing Prior general consent - pps agree to be deceived without knowing when (could affect future behaviour) Retrospective consent - asking for consent after having taken part
Psych - A2 & AS
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