Research Methods (PS111)
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Why are different research methods needed?
To address different psychological questions
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What are the aims of Psychological research?
Describe, Explain, Predict, Control. (DEPC)
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How do researchers communicate their research?
Publication in scientific journals, books and conferences
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What is the benefit of publication?
It adds to a collective body of knowledge and facilitates scientific progression
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What format must a scientific article follow?
Title, Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, References
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What are the two basic approaches to research?
Experimental and Non-Experimental (correlational)
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What is a Hypothesis?
A formal statement of prediction. Hypotheses need to be amenable to empirical testing.
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What is are Variables?
Any concept that varies and can be measured or assessed in some way. Simple examples are intelligence, height and social status
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What is an Independent Variable?
The variable manipulated by the researcher
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What is a Dependent Variable?
The variable that the researcher measure. It is predicted to depend on or vary according to the independent variable.
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What is the manipulation of the IV responsible for?
Any observed changes in the DV
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In research, many scientists have tried to aspire to what is known as the....?
True Experiment
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What is the purpose of a true experiment?
To test cause and effect relationships by collecting evidence to demonstrate the effect of one variable on another
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Why is Random assignment important?
Because otherwise the experiment is a quasi-experiment
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What can only the true experiment do?
Identify cause and effect relationships
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What are the three essential criteria needed for a true experiment?
1. Experimenter manipulation of the independent variable. 2. Control over the experimental environment and procedures. 3. The participants are assigned randomly to the conditions.
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Why is the experimenter being able to manipulate the IV good?
Because then the researcher has full control over the IV and is able to precisely control how one condition of the experiment differs from another.
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Why is the researcher being able to control the experimental environment and procedures good?
Because then all factors other than the independent variable remain constant.
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How does the researcher control the experimental environment?
The environment is often a laboratory so the lighting, heating, time of day can be controlled.
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How does the researcher control the procedures?
Any procedures (experimental instructions, experimenter's behaviour, tasks given) are standardised.
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Why is the researcher randomly assigning participants good?
By randomising participants to conditions, the group attributes for the different conditions will be roughly equivalent.
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How are participants randomly assigned to different conditions?
Through simple techniques such as coin toss and names in a hat. This means each participant has an equal chance of being allocated to either condition.
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What does random assignment eliminate?
The influence of unconsidered or confounding variables. Random assignment equates (equals) group differences.
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Name an advantage of a true experiment.
Precise measurement of variables is possible
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Name an advantage of a true experiment.
All variables can be controlled
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Name an advantage of a true experiment.
Can test cause and effect relationships enabling explanation as well as descriptions of behaviour
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Name an advantage of a true experiment.
Easy to replicate
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Name an disadvantage of a true experiment
IV and DV often narrowly defined
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Name an disadvantage of a true experiment
Lacks ecological validity
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Name an disadvantage of a true experiment
Not always possible or appropriate to manipulate psychological variables
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What is a Quasi-experiment?
If the researcher is unable to randomly assign participants to conditions
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Why might random assignment not be possible?
Some independent variables are naturally occurring therefore random assignment of participants to conditions is not feasible.
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What can't Quasi-experiments test?
They cannot test cause and effect propositions.
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If there isn't any random assignment, what can't the researcher rule out?
Without random assignment the researcher cannot equate, therefore rule out, confounding variables (e.g, housing conditions, step-parents, family discord)
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What is a Laboratory experiment?
An experiment which takes place in a very controlled environment
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What is a field experiment?
An experiment which is conducted in the participant's natural environment
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What is a natural experiment?
An investigation of a naturally occurring event
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What type of equipment does a laboratory experiment typically use?
Sensitive equipment providing precise measurement
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Is a laboratory experiment a true experiment?
Not necessarily. True experiments are typically carried out in a laboratory setting, however, a laboratory setting/experiment does not assure/mean a true experiment.
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Do field experiments improve ecological validity?
yes
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What is ecological validity?
Ecological validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings.
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If a researcher is conducting a field experiment, do they still care about the true experiment?
Yes. The researcher will still attempt to adhere to the principles of the true experiment
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Is it harder to achieve scientific rigour and control in a field experiment compared to a laboratory one?
Yes
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In an natural experiment what is does the researcher do to the IV?
Nothing. The researcher exploits naturally occurring differences in the IV, no direct control over IV or setting.
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Is a natural experiment regarded as a quasi-experiment?
Yes
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What are the advantages of a natural experiment?
increased ecological validity, reduction of demand characteristics
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What are the disadvantages of a natural experiment?
Lack of control, difficulty in replication
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What are the two major types of experimental design?
Between-subjects and Within-subjects
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What are the other names for a between-subject design?
Between-groups, independent samples, independent groups
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What are the other names for a within-subject design?
Within-groups, repeated measures, related groups
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What is a Between-subject experimental design?
When there is a different group of people for each condition
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What is a within-subject design?
When each participant takes part in all conditions
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What is an alternative to the experimental method?
Correlational/Cross-sectional Research
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When is Correlational/Cross-sectional Research used?
When it is difficult or inappropriate to manipulate variables
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What happens in Correlational/Cross-sectional Research?
The researcher measures a number of variables/characteristics in a sample of participants simultaneously, without intervention, therefore no IV.
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What is the aim of Correlational/Cross-sectional Research?
The aim is to identify a relationship between variables
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What does Correlational/Cross-sectional Research not tell us?
About cause and effect relationships.
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What does psychological research tend to be assessed on?
Having reliable and valid measures
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For an experiment to be reliable should the measurement device or test be dependable?
Yes
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For an experiment to be reliable, should there be different types of reliability?
Yes
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If the measure yields consistent results when utilised repeatedly under similar conditions does this mean the test is reliable or valid?
Reliable
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Name two different types of reliability
Split-half reliability, test-retest reliability.
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For an experiment to be valid, should the measurement device or test measure what the psychologist claims?
Yes
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For an experiment to be valid should there be different types of validity?
Yes
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Name two different types of validity.
Construct validity, Concurrent validity
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What are Operational definitions?
A precise description of how a psychological concept is understood in terms of how it is going to be measured
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What do operational definitions tend to apply to?
The IV and DV
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What is the advantage of operational definitions?
That the meaning of the concept is made explicit
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What is the disadvantage of iperational definitions?
That the definitions become narrow and are removed from abstract and theoretical thinking
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What is the underlying assumption of qualitative research?
That it is inappropriate to apply the scientific method to the study of human nature
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What is the focus of qualitative research?
The focus is on meaning and human experince rather than objective, numerical measurement
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Where is qualitative research conducted?
In a naturalistic setting rather than a laboratory
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Are the data collection methods in qualitative research less or more structured than other methods?
Less
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What are some data collection methods in qualitative research?
Semi-structured interviews, participant observation, focus groups
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What research method adopts natural science as a model?
Quantitative
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What research method rejects natural science as a model?
Qualitative
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What research method is in a naturalistic setting?
Qualitative
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What research method is in an artifical setting?
Quantitative
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What research method focuses on behaviour?
Quantitative
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What research method focuses on meaning?
Qualitative
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What research method looks at numerical analysis?
Quantitative
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What research method looks at verbal analysis?
Qualitative
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What research method seeks scientific laws?
Quantitative
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What research method values individual or specific group experiences?
Qualitative
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Should you use Qualitative research when research questions are more interested in meaning than differences?
Yes
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Should you use Qualitative research when the subject matter is not amenable to experimentation?
Yes
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Should you use Qualitative research when participant numbers are small?
Yes
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Should you use Qualitative research when exploring un-researched areas
Yes
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What did the Nuremberg Code (1947) say about ethics?
That consent must be given and participants must be told of the reasons for the experiment
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What did the declaration of Helsinki (1964) say about ethics?
That procedures must be reviewed by authorities before research begins
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Who is responsible for promoting ethical behaviour in psychologists?
The BPS (British Psychological society)
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What are the 4 main principles of the BPS code of ethics and conduct?
Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity
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What does the BPS code of human research ethics make recommendations on?
Informed consent, deception, debriefing, withdrawal, confidentiality and protection of participants
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Do all research institutions have an ethics committee?
Yes
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What do the ethic committees decide?
Whether any proposed research within the institution meets their ethical criteria.
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What do ethic committees draw on?
The BPS guidelines
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What is informed consent? In relation to the ethical guidelines.
The researchers should inform participants of the nature of the experiment and ask for their written consent before the start of the experiment
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What is deception? In relation to the ethical guidelines.
Occasionally the nature of the research requires a level of deceit. Any planned deceit must be made explicit to the ethics committee.
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What is debriefing? In relation to the ethical guidelines.
On completion of testing the researcher has a duty to fully explain the experiment (including any deception) and answer any questions
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What is Withdrawal? In relation to the ethical guidelines.
The participant has the right to withdraw from testing at any point in the experiment without penalty. Participant also has the right to request their data be discarded or destroyed
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What is confidentiality? In relation to the ethical guidelines.
All data should be anonymised, stored securely and confidentiality respected
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What is protection of participants? In relation to the ethical guidelines.
Researchers have a responsibility towards their participant's well-being. Participants should not experience any harm, whether physical or emotional, as a result of participating in psychological research.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What are the aims of Psychological research?
Back
Describe, Explain, Predict, Control. (DEPC)
Card 3
Front
How do researchers communicate their research?
Back
Card 4
Front
What is the benefit of publication?
Back
Card 5
Front
What format must a scientific article follow?
Back
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