Research methods

Qualitative research?

An approach to research were descriptive data in collected and interpreted by the researcher

Inductive research?

Sees what ideas or behaviors emerge

Quantitative research?

An approach to research were numerical data is collected that can be statistically tested

Random sampling?

Subjects are selected at random from a certain population for unbiased results

Limitation of random sampling?

Subjects similarities may be found unintentionally

Opportunity sampling?

Studys conducted with sample already offered

Limitation of opportunity sampling?

Researchers choose preffered groups to take data from

Snowball sampling?

Participants choose who is in the experiment in order to get other participants with the same condition

Strength of snowball sampling?

Helps build trust with researchers to discuss touchy subjects

Stratified sampling?

Drawing samples from each sub population within the target population

Strengths of stratified sampling?

Accurate reflection of population

Purposive sampling?

Looks for people with specific character traits

Strengths of purposive sampling?

Helps researcher describe the impact findings have on the population

Self-selected sampling?

People volunteer themselves

Strengths of self-selected sampling?

Easy to obtain participants

Limitations of self-selected sampling?

Rarely reflects general population

What is an experiments goals?

To determine a cause and effect relationship between variables

Experimental conditons?

Participants receive treatment or experiences according to the independent variable

Control conditons?

Participants do not receive treatment or experiences according to the independent variable

Lab experiment?

Researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV while maintaining strict control of extraneous variables.

True experiment?

Experiment in which the experimenter directly manipulates the IV and the DV is measured

Natural experiment?

No manipulation of varibales

Quasi experiment?

No IV is manipulated and participants are not randomly allocated to conditions

Null hypothesis?

The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations

Dull Hypothesis?

The hypothesis that there is a significant difference between specified populations

Repeated measures?

All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment

Strengths of repeated measures?

Participants are only compared to themselves

Limitation of repeated measures?

Order effects, demand characteristics, expectancy effects

Counter balancing?

When one group starts with condition A then moves to condition B (corrects order effects)

Independent groups?

each participant is randomly allocated to 1 of the 2 conditions

Strengths of independent groups?

• Not subject to order effects

• Participants are less likely to guess the aim; less demand characteristics

Limitations of independent groups?

Participant variable (differences between the people who are native english speakers and non native)

Matched participants?

Participant in one condition 'matches' a participant in the other condition(s)

Participant observation?

Researcher takes part in group activity

Non participant observation?

Researcher does not take part in group activity

Lab observation?

Researcher does not take part in group activity

Naturalistic observation?

In participants natural enviroment

Overt observation?

People are aware you are watching

Covert observation?

People are unaware they are being observed

Longitudinal study?

Study on one thing over a long period of time

Cross sectional?

Studies that analyze data from a population at single point in time

Focus groups?

A group interview where participants interact with each other

Structured interview?

Fixed lists of questions that can be repeated

Semi-structured interview?

Looks like an informal conversation

Un-structured interview?

Specific schedule and topic at available time

Population validity?

To what extent can findings be generalized to the wider population

Sampling bias?

Participant variable in the sample may not be representative and may influence the studys outcomes

Ecological validity?

To what extent can the findings be applied to real world context

Representational genralization?

Can findings be applied to the population from which the sample is drawn

Inferential generalization?

The findings of the study can be applied to settings outside the study

Theoretical generalization?

Concepts derived from the study can contribute to development of further existing theorys

Confounding variables?

factors that cause differences between the experimental group and the control group other than the independent variable

Selection?

Groups not equivalent at the start of the experiment

History?

Outside events may influence experiment

Maturation?

Participants may go through natural development process during experiment

Expectancy effect?

When participants acts a certain way because they want to do what the researcher asks

Screw you effect?

When participants attempt to figure out a researches hypothesis destroying its credibility

Social desirability effect?

Participants react in a certain way because they fell that is what is socially acceptable

Reactivity?

Participants act differently due to the being observed

Controlling demand charachteristics?

• Independent measure design

• Check if participants know what being tested

• Deception

Order effects?

Changes in participants responses that result form the order in which conditions are presented

Fatique effect?

Participants may get bored or tired doing several conditions

Interference effect?

Participants in one condition affect your ability to take part in the next condition

Practice effect?

Participants improve in a task as a result of doing it repeatedly

How do you controll for order effect

• Counter balancing

• Filler tasks

Conformation bias?

When a researcher searches for or interprets information in a way that confirms a pre existing belief or hypothesis

Biased reporting?

When the researcher does not equally represnt the findings of the study in the report

Acquiescence bias?

Tendency to give positive answers whatever the question

P- Hacking?

When a researcher tries to find patterns in their collected data that can be presented statistically without a hyopithesis

How to control experimenter bias?

• Hypothesis should be decided before carrying out research

• Researcher triangulation

• Double blind control

Question order bias?

When the response of one question influences participants responses

Construct validity?

Investigate if the measure is measuring the construct its supposed to

Sensitivity bias?

When participants answer question honestly but distort or hide information

Dominant respondent bias?

One participant influences the behaviour of responses of the others

Thick descriptions?

Researchers obligation to explain the context by which an observed behaviour is seen to make behaviour understandable to an outsider

Inductive analysis?

Collecting and anlayzing data without preconceived theories

Establish a rapport?

Researcher should ensure that participants in the research are being honest

Triangulation?

The combination of different researchers or approaches to interpret data

6 ethical considerations?

Consent

Confidentiality

Deception

Debriefing

Right to withdrawal

Avoid undue stress

Debriefing

Right to withdraw

Undue stress