psychology ib HL vocab

Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

• in the form of numbers (experiment)

• aim: numerically expression characterizes behaviour of large groups of individuals

• pros: speed, scientific, generalize

• cons: no context, no flexiblity

Qualitative Research

• in form of text (interview, observation)

• aim: an in-depth study

• pros: flexible, context

• cons: subjective, small sample

Meta Analysis

• Variety of data sources → high external validity

• research bias/confirmation bias (can choose their own study to fit the thesis) → low internal validity

Experimental Studies

• manipulate variables: IV and DV

• control all other variables

• aim: cause and effect relationship

Correlational Studies

• no manipulation on variables

• aim: locate a pattern

Descriptive Studies

• no mapulation on variables

• approach variable seperately

Sample

Partipants in a research

Sampling

Process finding a sample

Credibility

The extent the study do what it say (qualitative)

• By sharing the result with the participants, they can confirm the result → increasefa credibility

Reliability

can the study be replicated

• eg. case study is not replicable → no reliability

Bias

error which affect how the result reflects reality

Random Sampling

• random selection

• pros: no bias

• cons: can be not a representive for the target population (quantitative)

Stratified Sampling

• groups are made based on shared charateristic

• pros: more focus on the research

• cons: harder analyse?, bias (quantitative)

Self-selected sampling

• participant volunteers to be in a study

• pro: reduce time looking for participant

• cons: can be unrepresentive -> lower population validity (quantitative)

Opportunity sampling

• anyone who is convenience

• pro: reduce time looking for participant

• cons: can be unrepresentive -> lower population validity (quantitative)

Purposive Sampling

• particpants are recuited based on certain charateristic

• cons: low external validity (qualitative)

snowball sampling

• particpant invites other participants

• occurs when limited participants (qualitative)

Observation

• observe people with no, little contact or control

• pros: high accuracy (closed to 1st hand experience)

• cons: time and money

Covert observation

• the observees are not informed

• pros: avoid demanding charateristic or participant bias

• cons: ethics (consent)

Overt observation

• observees give consent

• pros: ethics

• cons: social desirability effect, expectancy effect

Independent Measures Design

• each participant can be only in one group/condition of the experiment

• Strength: no order effect

• Limitation: participant variability

Matched Pairs Design

put in group based on certain charateristics

Repeated Measures Design

the conditions of the groups are compared rather than the participants

Order Effects

How the order of things can affect the result

Participant Variability

the prior difference between the participants

Construct Validity

concern about how the experiment is constructed (setting, participation, etc)

Internal Validity

the extent which the study do what it says (quantitative)

External Validity

• the extend which the study can be generalized

• include population and ecological validity

Population Validity

the extend which the study can be generalized to its target population

ecological validity

the extent which the result can be applied to other setting

History

Past events which can impacts the DV

• Only for longitudinal study

Maturation

the amount the participant grow during the experiment

Experimental Mortality

participant's drop out

Demand Characteristics

how particpants change their behaviour to fit the what they think is demanded or acceptable

Experimenter Bias

researcher's bias (quantitative)

Double-blind designs

Both the people conduct the experiment and participants are decepted

Quasi-experiments

• used of pre-existing group

• some manipulation

• pros: high external validity

• cons: no cause and effect relationship

Natural experiments

• real life setting

• pre-existing group

• no control

• pros: high ecological validity

• cons: low internal validity

Field experiments

• real life setting

• pre-existing group

• some manipulation

• pros: high ecological validity

• cons: low internal validity

confounding variable

variables which have potential to affect IV and DV

Representativeness

representation of the target audience

Target population

population the study is targeted

Generalizability

The extent the result can be applied outside the sample

Triangulation

different techniques are used to collect data → confirmation

Type: data and method triangulation

Establishing a rapport

Researchers ensure that participants are honest

Reflexivity

research acknowledge or take their bias into account

Epistemological Reflexivity

acknowledge of the strength and limitation of a method

Personal Reflexivity

acknowledge of the prior belief or expectation of research has

Thick Description

The explanation, description which an outsiders can find meaning from

Acquiescence Bias

Being positive no matter the situation (participant bias)

social desirability bias

The desire to be acceptance influences the patient's behaviours (participant bias)

Confirmation Bias

researcher unintentionally tries to prove his/her prior belief (researcher bias)

Sampling Bias

when the sample does not satisfy the research's purpose

Biased Reporting

when the finding of study is more lean on one event rather talk about all the finding equally

Participant Observation

observers is the people in the observed group

Structured Observation

information is recorded systematically and in a standardized way (ex: table, chart)

Instructed Observation

no structure, observers simply register whatever behaviours they find noteworthy

Interview

researchers asked question and participant answers

Interview Transcript

the transcript of the interview

Structured Interviews

there is an order which question must be asked

Semi-structured Interviews

There are required question but no order

Unstructured Interviews

there are no structured and required question, it is solely based on the participant's performance

Focus Group

An interview with a group of people at the same time. The questions would be discussed in the group

• Pros: more observation (body language, interaction)

• Cons: time consuming, dominant response, social desirablitiy effect

• sampling bias: exculding people who does not have a specific characteristics

Inductive Content Analysis

The method to analyze text from the participants to find a pattern. recurring themes.

Case Study

Use to invest a certain case or event

• Pro: rare, condition which can not be created without ethical concerns

• Cons: difficult to replicate, time consuming, researcher bias, cannot be generalized

Representational generalization

apply to other populations

Sample size

affect internal validity because higher participant variability

eg. a psychopath in a sample of 10 people → result 10% of the population is psychopath which is not necessary true :DD