Psych Paper 3

Question 1

True Experiment

1. Researchers manipulate a single variable, The independent variable in order to see if it brings a change in a second variable, the dependent variable to measure it quantitatively

2. All other variables which might affect the dependent variable are controlled meaning any change in DV can be said to be caused by the IV, meaning the findings have strong internal validity

Field Experiment

1. Seek a relationship between a manipulated Independent variable and a measured dependent variable, but they take place in a real world environment where participants are found going about their daily business

2. Participants are often unaware they are being observed as part of an experiment meaning their behaviour is more natural, and thus ecological validity of the findings increased but the internal validity decreases due to the natural setting.

Quasi Experiment

1. Similar to a true experiment, but participants cannot be allocated to an experimental or control conditions, as these groupings are outside the experimenter’s control.

2. Findings lack internal validity as participants cannot be randomly allocated to a condition as there may be uncontrolled variables that lead participants to be part of one group and not the other, affecting the DV.

Natural Experiment

1. The independent variable is naturally occurring i.e. the change between the experimental and control conditions is a consequence of factors outside the researchers’ control.

2. Findings lack internal validity as variables are naturally occurring and changes in DV may be due to extraneous factors. 

Correlational studies

1. Have no manipulated variables, so a casual relationship cannot be established and instead two or more measured co-variables that are measured using quantitative data.

2. Occurs in studies where it is not ethical or practical to manipulate variables; as causality is not established, internal validity depends on the extent to which the instruments used to measure the co-variables provide accurate and meaningful data.

Naturalistic Observation: Participant

1. Data is collected from participants in their natural environment without any manipulation of the setting. Data can be collected quantitatively through something like tallying, and researchers can record qualitative data through field notes, diagrams, or/and sketches.

2. Researchers become actively involved in the group or community they are studying, facilitating a unique perspective that would not have been otherwise possible. This can lead to subjectivity, but the credibility of the data may also be enhanced. 

Naturalistic Observation: Non Participant

1. Data is collected from participants in their natural environment without any manipulation of the setting. Data can be collected quantitatively through something like tallying, and researchers can record qualitative data through field notes, diagrams, or/and sketches.

2. Researcher remains separate from the group activities and do not interact with participants whilst conducting the observation. Researchers are free to focus entirely on data collection, arguable leading to a more accurate record of events. 

Naturalistic Observation: Covert

1. Data is collected from participants in their natural environment without any manipulation of the setting. Data can be collected quantitatively through something like tallying, and researchers can record qualitative data through field notes, diagrams, or/and sketches.

2. Participants are unaware of the observer which is considered ethical if the study takes place in a public setting. Data collected is more credible as behaviour will be unaffected by demand characteristics or evaluation apprehension.

Case Study

1. Typically focus on a single individual, group, or organization that is unusual in some way. A detailed case history is generally collected, including secondary data from school reports or hospital records, allowing the researcher to gain some insight before collecting their own primary data

2. Method triangulation occurs in which data is collected using various techniques such as interviews, observations, and standardized tests. This gives a rich and detailed insight of the behaviours of interest.

Unstructured Interview

1. Have a clear research objective and the interview schedule includes broad topics or themes for discussion. There may be a list of starter questions but the defining trait is the flexibility and freedom; the direction of the interview is determined by the interviewee and interviewer poses question based on previous responses.

2. They require more training from researchers to collect credible data as it is difficult to keep the interview on track and achieve the objective when a script does not exist. 

Semi-structured interview

1. A predetermined set of questions exist in the interview schedule, but researchers may deviate from this and ask follow up questions if unanticipated and relevant information is presented by the interviewee. They may also rephrase questions when appropriate.

2. The interview schedule may have open and closed questions: open questions prompt longer, richer answers, allowing respondents to elaborate in their own words without being guided in any way while closed questions result in brief, precise answers.

Structured Interview

1. Follows a fixed schedule of pre-written questions which are asked in the same way and order for participants.

2. Questions are mostly closed questions that yield short, specific answers which are easy to record and compare across participants.

Focus group

1. Comprised of 8-12 people that are interviewed together about a topic of common interest. This size allows all members to have their own say, and people with similar experiences tend to bond together, developing a sense of belonging and trust which helps them talk freely about even sensitive issues.

2. Researchers facilitate the group discussion in order to monitor it and keep the group on topic if they veer off. They must ensure all issues raised are responded to and explored as fully as possible within the time available.

Opportunity sample

1. Participants are selected based on availability.

2. It is fast, but the sample tends to be limited and may not represent other groups.

Random Sample 

1. Participants are selected randomly from a target population

2. Participants are selected independently from each other, which lowers sampling bias and increases generalizability

Purposive Sample

1. Participants are selected based on characteristics relevant to the purpose of the study

2. The data is relevant to the population of the same but is difficult to generalize to a larger sample.

Snowball Sample

1. Participants bring in more participants from their contacts.

2. Makes it easier to gather a large sample but sample bias becomes an issue as participants may have similar traits.

Volunteer Sample

1. People join the study on their own after seeing a sign-up or ad.

2. It is simple to run, but you often get people who are more motivated or interested than average.

Survey

1.May combine quantitative data with qualitative data or only use quantitative.
2.Often use closed questions to collect data.