Research Methods

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  • Created on: 21-03-21 15:14
What is the definition of target population?
It is the group of people that the researcher is interested in studying.
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What is the definition of sample?
It is a group of people taken out of the target population which will do the experiment.
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What is the definition of representative?
It is when the sample closely matches the target population.
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What does opportunity sampling mean?
This is when you select participant by using who is readily available.
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List some advantages of opportunity sampling.
- It is quick and easy
- Cheap
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List some disadvantages of opportunity sampling.
- not representative
- can be biased
- lack of generalisability
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What does random sampling mean?
This is when every person in the target population has an equal chance of getting selected.
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List some advantages of random sampling.
- representative
- unbiased
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List some disadvantages of random sampling.
- time consuming
- can be impossible (target population size)
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What does systematic sampling mean?
Participants are selected at number intervals (e.g. every nth person)
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List some advantages of systematic sampling.
- can be representative
- unbiased
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List some disadvantages of systematic sampling.
- can also be biased
- needs to be clear that there are no hidden
orders
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What does stratified sampling mean?
Participants are selected in proportion to the target population (e.g. if 30% of the target population is elderly, then 30% of the sample
must be elderly)
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List some advantages of stratified sampling.
- very representative
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List some disadvantages of stratified sampling.
- very time consuming
- can be expensive
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What does a laboratory experiment mean?
Experiment is done in a controlled setting where the researcher changes the IV. They record the effect of the IV on the DV whilst controlling extraneous variables.
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List some advantages of using a laboratory experiment.
- reduces extraneous variables
- replicable
- can establish cause and effect
- high internal validity
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List some disadvantages of using a laboratory experiment.
- can have experimenter effect
- lack of ecological and external validity
- higher chance of demand characteristics
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What does a field experiment mean?
Experiment is carried in a natural setting where
the researcher changes the IV and records the
effect on the DV.
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List some advantages of a field experiment.
- high in ecological/external validity
- fewer demand characteristics
- fewer experimenter effect
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List some disadvantages of a field experiment.
- no control over extraneous variables
- time consuming
- ethical issues (informed consent)
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What does a natural experiment mean?
Experiment is in a natural setting and not set
up by the researcher where the IV is changed spontaneously. Researcher records effect
on DV.
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List some advantages of a natural experiment.
- high in ecological/external validity
- no demand characteristics
- no experimenter effect
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List some disadvantages of a natural experiment.
- no control over extraneous variables
- harder to replicate
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What is a repeated measures design?
The same participants complete each
condition of the independent variable.

(all participants complete all conditions)
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List some advantages of a repeated measures design.
- reduces participant variables
- quick
- fewer participants needed
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List some disadvantages of a repeated measures design.
- order effects
- demand characteristics
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What is an independent groups design?
Different groups of participants complete a
single condition of the independent variable.

(each group takes part in a single condition)
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List some advantages of an independent groups design.
- no order effects
- reduces demand characteristics
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List some disadvantages of an independent
groups design.
- participant variables
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What is a matched pairs design?
Participants are matched on important characteristics and then assigned different conditions.
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List some advantages of a matched pairs design.
- reduces participant variables
- no demand characteristics
- no order effects
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List some disadvantages of a matched pairs design.
- time consuming
- hard to match participants
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What is quantitative data?
Data in the form of numbers and is measurable.
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What is qualitative data?
Data is the form of spoken/written words or
some other non-numerical form and is not
measurable.
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What are self-reports?
An individual states/explains their own feelings, opinions or behaviours on a certain topic.
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What is a questionnaire?
A set of written questions used to access a person's thoughts/experiences.
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List some strengths of using a questionnaire.
-large amounts of data can be collected
-can access thoughts
-doesn't need a researcher present
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List some limitations of using a questionnaire.
- social desirability
- response bias
- can misunderstand questions
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What are open questions?
Questions that don't have a fixed answer so an individual can answer any way they would like.
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List some strengths of open questions.
- produce qualitative data
- more information gathered
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List some limitations of open questions.
- harder to analyse
- effort to respond
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What are closed questions?
Questions that require a fixed answer
(i.e. yes or no).
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List some strengths of closed questions.
- quick and easy
- produce quantitative data
- easier to analyse
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List some limitations of closed questions.
- not detailed/in depth answers
- no meaning behind answers
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What are interviews?
A live encounter between individuals
(in person or via technology) where thoughts/experiences are accessed
through a set of questions.
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List some strengths of interviews.
- detail information gathered
- attention is paid to individual
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List some limitations of interviews.
- social desirability
- time consuming
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What is a structured interview?
An interview with pre-determined questions
in which the researcher sticks to in the
fixed order.
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List some strengths of structured interviews.
- replicable
- easy to analyse
- easy answers
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List some limitations of structured interviews.
- less information gathered
- no wider-view answers
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What are semi-structured interviews?
An interview with pre-determined questions with follow up questions allowed.
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List some strengths of semi-structured interviews.
- more information gathered
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What is an unstructured interview?
An interview with no set questions which is more like a conversation but with a general topic/aim to stick to.
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List some strengths of unstructured interviews.
- detailed answers given
- wider-view answers
- flexible
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List some limitations of unstructured interviews.
- not easy to replicate
- can't analyse
- can have experimenter effects
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What is primary data?
The researcher uses and obtains data directly from a participant.
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What is secondary data?
The researcher uses and obtains data generated for a different purpose.
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What is a directional hypothesis?
A clearly anticipated difference between two conditions.
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What is a non-directional hypothesis?
Simply states a difference but not what this will
be.
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What is a null hypothesis?
There will be no relationship between two variables.
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What are case studies?
In depth studies of an individual or small group which involves several techniques to gather data.
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List some strengths of using case studies
- in-depth findings
- study unusual/unique cases
- provides insight for future research
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List some limitations of using case studies
- cannot generalise
- researcher bias
- difficult to replicate
- time consuming and expensive
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What is an observation?
Studying behaviour as it happens and recording data in the form of notes or videos.
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What is a naturalistic observation?
Observing a participant in an everyday context.
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List some strengths of a naturalistic observation
- ecological validity
- new ideas
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List some limitations of a naturalistic observation
- not representative
- lack of generalisability
- extraneous variables cannot be controlled
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What is a controlled observation?
The researcher sets up the observation in a lab and takes notes of behaviour.
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List some strengths of a controlled observation
- replicable
- quicker to analyse
- quantitative data
- quick
- can be representative/generalisable
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List some limitations of a controlled observation
- demand characteristics
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What is a participant observation?
Observing a participant in an everyday context but the researcher takes part.
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List some limitations of a participant observation
- covert observations mean that researchers may forget important information
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the definition of sample?

Back

It is a group of people taken out of the target population which will do the experiment.

Card 3

Front

What is the definition of representative?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What does opportunity sampling mean?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

List some advantages of opportunity sampling.

Back

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