Research method (Chap 1) [3/4]

Subjectivity

the effect of an individual's personal viewpoint on, for example, how they interpret data. Interpretation can differ between individual researchers as a viewpoint may be biased by one's feelings, beliefs or experiences, so is not independent of the situation

Objectivity

the impact of an unbiased external viewpoint on, for example, how data is interpreted. Interpretation is not affected by an individual's feelings, beliefs or experiences, so should be consistent between different researchers

Case study

A research method in which a single instance, e.g. one person, family or institution, is studied in detail

Triangulaion

Is when different techniques, e.g. observations, interviews or tests are used to study the same phenomenon. If they produce similar results, this suggests the findings are valid.

Naturalistic observation

A study conducted by watching the partcipants' behaviour in their normal environment without interference from the researchers in either the social or physical environment.

Controlled observation

A study conducted by watching the participants' behaviour in a situation in which the social or physical environment has been manipulated by the researchers. It can be conducted in either the participants' normal environment or in an artificial situation

Unstructured observation

A study in which the observer records the whole range of possible behaviors which is usually confined to a pilot stage at the beginning of a study to refine the behavioral categories to be observed

Structured observation

a study in which the observer records only a limited range of behaviors

Behavioural categories

the activities recorded in an observation. They should be operationalised (clearly defined) and should break a continuous stream of activity into discrete recordable events. They must be observable actions rather than inferred states

Inter-observer reliability

the consistency between two researchers watching the same event, i.e. whether they will produce the same records

Participant observer

a researcher who watches from the perspective of being part of the social setting

Non-participant observer

a researcher who does not become involved in the situation being studied

Overt observer

The role of the observer is obvious to the participants.

Covert observer

the role of the observer is not obvious, e.g. because they are hidden or disguised

Co-variables

the two measured variables in a correlation

Correlation

A research method that looks for a relationship between two measure variables. A change in one variable is related to the change in the other (although these changes cannot be assumed to be casual)

Casual relationship

a link between two variables such that a change in one variable is responsible for (i.e. causes) the change in the other variable, such as in an experiment

Positive correlation

a relationship between two variables in which an increase in one variable accompanies an increase in another. The two variables increase together.

Negative correlation

A relationship between two variables in which an increase in one accompanies a decrease in other. E.g. higher scores on one variable correspond with lower scores on the other

Longitudinal study

a research method that follows a group of participants over time, weeks to decades, looking at changes in variables to explore development or changes due to experiences, such as interventions, drugs or therapies

Cross sectional study

compares people at different ages or stages by comparing different groups of participants at one point in time

Cohort

a group of participants selected at the same age or stage

Longitudinal design

An experimental design when the same participants are tested on two or more occasions over a long time before and after a six month intervention

Situational variable

Confounding variable caused by an aspect of the environment, e.g. the amount of light or noise.

intelligence quotient (IQ)

a measure of general reasoning and problem solving ability

Sample attrition

the loss of participants from a sample over time. This may be due to many reasons, such as losing contact, the desire to discontinue, for example though boredom, being unavailable or death