9. AQA A-level psychology set 9

what are the advantages of interviews

data from un/semi structured interviews are detailed and varied

complex issues are dealt with face-to-face

what are the disadvantages of interviews

success is dependant on interviewers skills

interviewer effects- may bias respondents answers

what is the design of questionnaires and interviews

1. decide Aim and Hypothesis

2. if interview decide which type and justify why

3. write questions

4. pilot the questionnaire/interview

what is the first key feature of a case study

production of qualitative data

what is the second key feature of a case study

involves analysis of unusual individuals/events

what is the third key feature of a case study

researchers may construct case studies of individuals concerned

what is the fourth key feature of a case study

pts may be subject to experimental or psychological testing

what is the fifth key feature of a case study

takes place over a long period of time

what are the advantages of a case study

varied and detailed

may contribute to understanding of “typical functioning”

what are the disadvantages of a case study

generalisation of findings

personal accounts may be innacurate

name 2 examples of case studies

HM : hippocampus plays crucial role in transfer of info from LTM to STM

little Hans

what is a peer review

the process where experts in the same field evaluate research before publication to check its quality, validity, and credibility.

what did Shaughnessy, Zechmeister and Zechmeister find

peer review can be subjective, with low agreement between reviewers

potential bias towards well-known researchers or institutions.

what is anonymity

participants’ identities are not recorded or cannot be linked to their data.

what is publication bias

when studies with significant or positive results are more likely to be published than those with null or negative findings.

what is burying research

valid studies not being published because they do not support a theory or show significant results.

what is quantitative data

numerical data that can be measured and statistically analysed.

what is qualitative data

non-numerical data that describes behaviours, thoughts, or experiences in detail.

advantages of quantitative data

objective, easy to analyse, and allows comparisons.

disadvantages of quantitative data

lacks depth and may oversimplify behaviour.