research methods

Define a laboratory experiment ?

-An experiment that is  Conducted in a highly controlled environment (IV )is manipulated  by the researcher.

Define a natural experiment ?

-The researcher has no control over the (IV)the (IV)is naturally occurring e.g exam

Define a field experiment ?

-The (IV) is manipulated in a more natural ,more everyday setting,the researcher goes to prtipants usual environment

Define a quasi experiment ?

--Based on existing difernces e.g. age,no one has manipulated this variable

Give the strengths and limitations of a laboratory experiment ?

Strengths :

-often done in a lab so high control

Define a participant observation?

-researchers will become part of the group they are studying

Define a non-participant observation ?

-when the researchers remain separate from those they are studying and records behaviour in a more objective mannor.

What are the strength of a naturalistic observation ?

-High external validity

-high mundane realism

What the limitations of a naturalistic observation ?

-Replication of experiment difficult

-greater risk of extraneous variables

What are the strengths of a controlled observation ?

-confounding and extraneous variables are reduced during experiment

-experiment can be replicated

What are the limitation of a Controls observation ?

-low external validity

-low mundane realism

Define a covert observation ?

-participants behaviour is watched and recorded without there knowledge

Define overt observation ?

-participants are aware they are being watched and recorded

What are the strengths and limitations of an overt observation ?

Strengths:

-ethically acceptable

Limitations:

-low external validity

-results in demand characteristics

What are the limitations and strengths for covert observation ?

Strengths :

-removes the problem of demand characteristics

-high external validity

Limitations:

-invasive of privacy

What are the limitations and strengths of a non-participant observation ?

Strengths :

-Allows the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance

Limitations :

-May lose the valuable insight

What are the limitations and strengths of a participant observation ?

Strengths :

-high external validity

-Increased insight

Limitations:

-Researcher may lose objectivity (adopting a local lifestyle )

What does being objective mean ?

-Should be able to record explicit actions and not have to make an interference

What does being mutually exclusive mean ?

-behaviour that should only fit into one category

Define time sampling ?

-recording behaviours in a given time frame Observation window is broken into intervals and behaviour is only recorded in those intervals

Define event sampling ?

-counting how Many times a certain behaviour occurs in a target individual or individuals

Define a structured interview ?

• Made up of predetermined set of questions that are asked in a fixed order

Define an unstructured interview ?

• Similar to a conversation .There are no set questions ,there is a Bernal aim that a certain topic will be discussed

Define a semi-structured interview ?

• There is a list of questions that have been worked out in advanced and the interview is is also free to ask follow up questions

What are the strengths and limitations of a structure interview ?

• Strengths:

• Can be replicated

• Limitation:

• -interviewers: May deviate from question which limits the quality of the data

What are the strengths and limitation of an unstructured interview ?

Strengths:

-flexibility

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