IB Psychology Research Methodology & Ethical Considerations

For the SL Level

Debriefing

Participants must receive a full explanation of the research & given their results when their involvement is done; deception should be revealed if used.

Right to Withdraw

Participant has the right to leave the experiment at any time & researchers should not try to force or coerce participants to stay

Informed Consent

Participation must be voluntary & researchers should provide as much info as possible to participants; minors need parental consent

Protection from Harm

Participants must not be at risk of mental and physical harm (including long-term effects)

Confidentiality

Someone (i.e. researcher) has access to results & identities of participants but cannot share the identities w/ anyone (terms of agreement)

Deception

Sometimes needs to be used so that participants don’t act differently - should be used minimally

Survey

1. Gathers data on large number of participants

2. Uses data gathering techniques like questionnaires

3. Quantitative method: Questionnaires

4. Qualitative methods: Interviews

Focus group interviews

1. A group interview (about 6-10 participants)

2. Relies on group processes and the interaction of individuals to help reveal info that might not be revealed in individual interviews

3. The interviewer acts as a moderator and, if done well, the interview will resemble a group discussion

Case Study

1. An in-depth investigation of an individual, small group, or organization

2. Multiple methods are used to gather data (which is what makes them in-depth)

3. Often uses a combo of quantitative and qualitative methods

Experiments:

1. True (lab)

2. Field

3. Quasi

4. Natural

Examine the effects of an IV on a DV

1. The researcher manipulates the IV in a controlled environment. Random allocation to the treatment or control condition is possible

2. Takes place in a naturalistic setting. Control of extraneous variables is not always possible

3. One or more conditions of a true experiment can’t be met (e.g., random allocation not possible). “In quasi-experiments, participants are grouped based on a characteristic of interest, such as gender, ethnicity, or scores on a depression scale”

4. The IV is naturally occurring. Extraneous variables may not always be controlled

Weakness of Experiments

Lack of ecological validity

Naturalistic observations

1. Overt/covert

2. Non/Participant

Subject's’ behavior is observed in a naturalistic environment and field notes and other data-gathering techniques are used

1. Participants may be aware they are being observed or not aware

2. The researcher observes as a neutral outsider or may join the group under observation and become a member

Correlational Study

• Does not have an IV or DV, but has co-variables

• Tests the strength of relationships of covariables by calculating a correlation coefficient

• Values of coefficients range of -1.0 to 1.0

Weakness of Correlational Study

Lack of causation

Semi-structured interviews

• An interview that follows an interview schedule - it includes an outline of topics to be covered, but allows for deviation and elaboration

• Can include a combo of open and closed questions

• It resembles a conversation

Unstructured interviews

• The interviewer has topics to cover, but there is a lot of freedom and the precise questions and order are not fixed

• Can include open and closed questions

• The interview evolves as a result of the interactions between the researcher and the interviewee

Weakness of Descriptive methods (Case Studies, Meta Analyses, etc.)

Unique, untested