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Published byGavin Welch Modified over 9 years ago
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Research methods in psychology Simple revision points
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What two approaches are there to research? Quantitative research is concerned with the collection of numerical data. Qualitative data is concerned with the collection of data concerned with behaviours, and is descriptive, often of emotions and feelings
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What methods are available? Experiments – variable controlled Correlation research – patterns sought Observational research – people watched Surveys – questions asked Case Studies – individuals studied
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What experimental methods are used? Laboratory experiments where variables are controlled Field experiments are in a natural environment but variables are controlled Natural experiments are in a natural environment and there is little control over variables
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What three experimental designs are there? Repeated measures – same participants measured in all values Independent groups – different participants in the groups Matched participants – similar key characteristics are sought in groups
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List strengths to laboratory experiments Scientific in intent. Cause and effect can be established Control over variables is established Experiments are repeatable and therefore reliable
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List weaknesses to laboratory experiments Total control is impossible Artificial environments produce artificial results Participants may guess purpose of study and this influences behaviour There may be ethical problems of deception
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What types of question can be asked? Closed questions are where participants choose an appropriate response from a number on offer. Open questions are where participants can respond in a way that allows them to expand on their answers
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What should a good questionnaire look like? Well laid out. Easy to read Easy to respond to Understandable so the participants know what is required
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What are the advantages of a questionnaire? Creates a lot of data Easy to collate Easy to repeat and therefore reliable Convenient and relatively cheap to produce
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What are the disadvantages of a questionnaire? May not gather enough detail Cannot return to participants to get them to explain responses Sometimes a low response rate Quality of responses depends on quality of the design
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What three types of interview are there? Fully structured – similar to a questionnaire with closed questions Semi-structured – more relaxed and more open questions Unstructured – resembles a conversation and researcher responds to participant
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What advantages are there to interviews? Data is rich in detail Interviewee can clarify responses Offers qualitative data
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What disadvantages are there to interviews? Time consuming Requires skilled interviewers Difficult to analyse Expensive to run Small samples
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What advantages are there to observation? Naturalistic in approach Has high ecological validity Ethical – if overt and participants know they are watched Useful if people do not want to cooperate, or cannot be questioned e.g studies of children
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What disadvantages are there to observations? Ethical issues if covert and participants do not know they are watched Unreliable as cannot be replicated Observer bias is possible Variables are difficult to control Observers may not be consistent in classifying observations
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