Sampling
Participants with desired characteristics are recruited until the predetermined sample proportions are met.
Quota sampling
Creating data or modifying available data to suit the study
What does the third variable problem mean?
There’s a possibility that the third variable might be behind the correlation
Explain Dominant respondent bias
One participant influences other participant’s behaviour and responses
(ex: hijack other’s chances to talk or intimidate other participants)
List all types of triangulation.
●Method - Different methods can compensate limitations and reinforce strength
●Data - referring to various documents if mentioned and studying them
●Researcher - combining interpretations. If two sees a similar theme, it increases credibility
●Theory - using multiple perspectives to evaluate data
Theoretical sampling
Sampling continues until data saturation (no new information obtained from new participants). It is determined by the theory used in study and generally relates to theoretical generalizability.
It may be that the correlation happens by chance as multiple correlations are calculated
Spurious correlations
Explain Acquiescence bias
Tendency to give positive answers for whatever reason
Rapport
Researchers should make sure that participants are being honest, and that their participant is fully voluntary so they can be willing, not feel wronged and not alter their behaviour in front of a researcher
Purposive sampling
Participants with desired characteristics are recruited without taking account to proportion and sample size
Whether the definition is measurable in a concept. Questions the quality of the operationalizations.
How to eliminate Sensitivity bias
Researchers can solve this by building a good rapport and trust
What does the Epistemological reflexivity mean?
Researchers reflect on the possibility of bias made
- knowledge of strengths and limitations of method used to collect data
List one strength and one limitation of opportunity sampling.
Strengths:
●Convenient in sampling
Limitations:
●Lack of representativeness
What kind of information is sensitive information?
●Handling information in genetic research
Information related to genetics (twins, family, health status) should be handled with care and sensitivity, and prevent possible consequences
●Handling information related to mental disorders
Some studies can accidentally reveal previously unknown illnesses, possibly affecting participant’s life events badly.
Introduce two types of external validity.
●External validity
How well the study can be generalised to other situations and people
●Population validity
How well can the sample be used to generalise a population as a whole
●Ecological validity
Testing for mundane realism - how much a situation represents real-life situations
List all types of researcher bias.
●Confirmation bias
●Leading questions bias
●Question order bias
●Sampling bias
●Biased reporting
Certain topics with sensitive responses are asked with rephrasing to get a deeper insight
Iterative questioning
Why did the researchers use snowball sampling?
It may happen in pilot studies (insufficient resources to select) or when the participants desired are hard to reach
When 1st DV may affect the following DVs, may happen in repeated measures design (order effect)
How to eliminate Confirmation bias
Reflexivity can help take confirmation bias into account
Explain credibility checks and thick descriptions.
Credibility checks: Checking interview accuracy by asking participants to review transcripts and confirm what they said to provide clarifications
Thick descriptions: Explaining the situation in rich detail that it can be understood holistically and in context