Research Methods

psych RM

Types of RM in Psych

QUANtitative

QUALitative

Quantitative

Research with data that can be presented numerically.

Eg. Experiments and Correlational studies

Four types of experiments

1. Key

2. Quasi

3. Field

4. Natural

Key

Context bound since it’s usually done in control conditions in the lab.

IV is manipulated, DV measured.

There is random allocation of participants.

Control → Cause & Effect relationship can be determined

Quasi

IV already exists (not manipulated)

Natural

Naturally occuring event

Field

Unobtrusive, in the field resulting in less control over other variables (eg. confounding or extraneous variables) which might affect DV.

Correlational

Done when an experiement cannot be )eg. unethical)

Positive & negative correlation

No IV & DV (only CVs) so Cause & Effect relationship cannot be determined

Bidirectional ambeguity

It could also be that there is no cause-and-effect relationship at all, but that another

variable might be responsible for the behaviour.

3 experimental designs

1. Matched pairs

2. Independant (between subject design)

3. Repeated Measures (Within subjects design)

Matched pairs

There are two groups of participants. Each persion in one group is ‘matched‘ to a participant in the other group. This matching is based on a factor related to the study (Eg. Agression level in Bandura) or something more indirect.

Strengths: less PV, no DC or OE, same materials

Limitations: More participants, work required, unforseen variables,

Repeated measures

one group does both conditions

Strengths: Same materials, PVC, Less participants

Limitations: OE, DC,

Independant

Two groups. One does condition A another does condition B

Strengths: no OE, DC, same materials

Limitations: PV, more participants

Qualitative

Research which works through observations
of natural events and settings rather than numerical data

-Interviews, case studies, covert/overt observations

Interviews

Often face to face meeting between a participant and researcher where the researchers ask questions and records the participants answers.

Ecologically valid, able to collect a lot of data

Data may be inaccurate due to memory distortion, optimism bies/ social desirability, researcher bias.

Interview schedule

Time/ question plan to keep interview structured

Structured interview

A research procedure in which all participants are asked to answer the same questions and the schedule has to be closely followed

Easy to compare interviews with different participants. and gives a lot of data

Semi-structured interview

There is a list of questions that have been worked out in advance, but interviewers are also free to ask follow-up questions when they feel it is appropriate.

Unstructured interview

An interview in which the question-answer sequence is spontaneous, open-ended, and flexible only the theme is set.

Focus group

A group of people who meet under the direction of a researcher to communicate opinions.

Case Study

An in-depth study of an individual, event, or group

Method triangulation

The use of different methods in combination to get results of a higher validity after you compare and contrast results.

Researcher triangulation

When multiple researchers do observations to prevent researcher bias → the observations they make are crossrefrenced and then should be more valid. Example in Bandura original agression levels.

Data triangulation

Multipe data sources to increase validity if final results (time, space, members)

Tranferrability of Data

The ability to generalize findings/data from a specific person/group to others which have not been directly studied.

Naturalistic Observations (Covert)

Researchers record the behaviour of research subjects in real world scenarios (participants don’t know)

1. Low DC

2. High EV → No control, ExtVs

3. "inside information"

Overt lab observations

Researchers record the behaviour of research subjects in real world scenarios (participants know)

1. Lower EV → more DCs, control

2. Usually less RB although may not fully understand behaviour

Participant vs. Non-participant

is researcher ‘hiding‘ in teh midst of participants.

Conformity effects

People in the focus group simply agree with the ideas of a member of the group.