Buss - Methodology

In terms of reliability the study was what?

- strong

Why?

- the same 2 questionnaires were used with all 10047 pps

What made this study a fair test?

- the people handing out the questionnaires did not know he was only measuring 5 critical variables making it a double blind

What did this avoid?

- Researcher Bias

In terms of internal validity thw study was what?

- problematic

Why?

- because the pps could have lied and given answers which were expected of men and women (social desirability)

What is an example of this?

- men may have said they preferred a younger woman when infact they could have been gay or generally preferred older partners

In terms of sampling the study was what?

- strong

How many pps were involved?

- 10047

How many countries?

- 33

How many cultures?

- 37

What could be made from this sample?

- comparisons and generalisations

Why were some countries biased?

- because the sample was very small (eg. Iran)

Why was the sample not representitive?

- because most of the pps were from urban areas

In terms of data the sstudy was?

- strong

Why?

- it produced masses of quantitative data

What was possible with this?

- statistical testing

What comparisons could be made?

- between countries and between males and females

What is an example of this?

- the number of males v. females who ranked 'good looks' highly per culture

Why does this study not provide depth and detail?

- no qualitative data about what people really want from relationships

In terms of ethics the study was what?

- problematic

Why?

- the pps were not told about the hidden variables so did not give fully conformed consent however they could withdraw at were not harmed