Research Methods

A researcher wanted to investigate agrophobia by studying Patient X. The researcher designed questionnaire to find out about Patient X’s experiences. However a colleague suggested that the researcher might do better to conduct a case study.

Explain on or more reasons why it might be better to conduct a case study than a questionnaire

• case studies can be longitudinal and so changes (in Patient X’s experience) can be observed over time whereas questionnaires tend to provide just a ‘snapshot’ pf experience

• Case Studies usually involve several methods (observation, interviews, etc), enabling checks for consistency/reliability/validity whereas a questionnaire is a single method of data collection

• Case studies produce rich, detailed qualitative data, whereas questionnaires tend to produce less detailed information

this FC is to tell you to go over the white research methods observation defintions.

this FC is to remind you to go over the advantages and disadvantages of self- report techniques

what is a content analysis?

• a technique for analysing qualitative data of various kinds

• data can be placed into categories and counted (quantitatively) or can be analysed in themes (qualitatively)

what is meta analysis

• combining evidence from multiple studies on a

• particular topic, to provide an overall view of that topic

• producing an ‘effect size’. Effect size is often statistically tested to provide an overall conclusion.

Outline what is meant by replicability in psychological research

• replicability i the extent to which a study can be replicated

• (due to clarity of planning)

• this enables the researcher to see if repeated measurements produce the same results.

• If the outcome is the same, this affirms the truth of the original account

Outline what is meant by falsifiability in psychological research

• Falsifiability is the possibility that the statement or hypothesis can be proven wrong.

• The only real way to prove s statement correct is actually to seek disproof.

Explain what is meant by the empirical method, refer to an example of psychological research in your answer (3 marks)

• Gaining knowledge through direct observation or experiment, rather  than from unfounded beliefs and reasoned argument. 

Briefly explain one reason why it is important for research to be replicated (2 marks) 

• Replication allows research to be tested for reliability.  If similar results are gained, reliability can be assumed. 

• This is important as samples can be easily biased.

1. Outline what is meant by the following terms a) Paradigm b) Paradigm Shift (4 marks)

a. A paradigm is a shared set of assumptions about a subject matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to study it. E.g. Behaviourism. 

b. A dominant paradigm is challenged by accumulated disconfirming evidence until it can no longer be maintained.

Gradually the disconfirming evidence accumulates until the paradigm can no longer be maintained and then it is overthrown (paradigm shift) by a more dominant paradigm.

Briefly discuss the importance of theory construction and hypothesis testing in scientific research (6 marks)

A theory is a collection of general principles that explain observations and facts that help us to understand and predict natural phenomena. They can either come before or after hypothesis testing, depending on whether the method is inductive or deductive – both of which can be seen as ‘good science’

• + counter argue: However, deductive theory construction may lead to investigator bias, and therefore reduce the validity of the research in terms of its scientific value
  
  

Identify and explain two types of validity important in psychological research - 4m

• Ecological validity- which is the extent to which findings of any particular study can be generalised to alternative environments

• Internal Validity- the extent to which a study measures what it intends to measure, and whether the observed effect was really caused by the independent variable (IV) rather than other factors.

Explain what is meant by face validity (2 marks)

• the extent to which test items look like what the test claims to measure.

• e.g. Bandura’s Bobo doll study looks like it’s measured learning (it has in fact only measured imitation).

Discuss the purpose of counter balancing

• addresses the problem of order effect, because participants took part in both conditions

• by having ½ the participants do the conditions in a different order, any order effect affects both conditions equally.