Research methods ms

Explain how such observational research might be refined through the use of behavioural categories

• behavioural categories allow observers to tally observations into pre-arranged groupings

• examples of behavioural categories appropriate in this situation might be ……

• using categories provides clear focus for the researcher

• categorisation enables proposal of a testable hypothesis

• categories allow for more objective / scientific data recording

• use of categories should result in greater reliability

• categories provide data that is easier to quantify / analyse

• contrast with method described in the stem (own interpretation is too subjective / opinion-based).

Explain how this study could have been modified by using a matched pairs design

• the researcher needs to ensure that the two groups are matched for key variables

• example of at least one key variable – any that might reasonably be expected to affect memory in this situation, eg eyesight, age, intelligence

• all participants should be pre-tested / assessed for the key variable / variables

• for each person in one condition, the researcher should assign a ‘matched’ person in the other condition.

Outline one strength and one weakness of using correlations in stress research

• Strength: can study relationship between variables that occur naturally. Can measure things that cannot be manipulated experimentally. Can suggest trends that can lead to experiments

• Weakness: It is not possible to say that one thing causes another. Just because there is a correlation between stress scores and days off it does not mean that stress caused people to take days off work, or there may be another variable connecting them

meta analysis

• meta-analysis is the process where researchers collect and collate a wide range of previously conducted research on a specific area

• collated research is reviewed together

• combined data/effect size is often statistically tested to provide an overall conclusion.

what is peer review?

Peer review is the process by which psychological research papers, before publication, are subjected to independent scrutiny by other psychologists working in a similar field who consider the research in terms of its validity, significance and originality.

what is content analysis?

a technique for analysing data according to themes or categories

-a technique for analysing qualitative data of various kinds. Data can be placed into categories and counted -quantitative or can be analysed in themes -qualitative. (2 marks)

what are investigator effects?

Investigator effects occur when the researcher’s behaviour or characteristics influence the research in some way. This includes the way the presence of the researcher may influence the participants.