Experiments
Observations
Interviews
Case Studies
Correlational Studies
100

The way that participants are allocated to conditions in a true experiment.

Random allocation

100

The type of observation where the researcher takes part in activities with the participants in their usual environment.

A naturalistic participant observation. If it is with the consent of the individual, then it is overt; without consent, it’s covert.

100

You want to carry out interviews with CEOs who are in recovery from drug addiction.  What is the best way to get your sample?

Snowball sampling

100

Case studies use triangulation.  

Name two types of triangulation

Data triangulation (from more than one source); researcher triangulation; method triangulation, theoretical triangulation (e.g. using a biologist, cognitive theorist and a social worker to carry out tests).

100

A correlational study aims to establish

A relationship between two variables

200

The problem that arises when the controls are so good that the researcher can no longer predict behaviour in a natural environment

Low ecological validity

200

What is one limitation of a covert observation?

It may violate ethics; if it is a participant observation, it means that notes have to be taken in private, which means that notes rely on the memory of the researcher.

200

What is the difference between a structured and an unstructured interview?

Structured interviews have a set of questions that must be asked; unstructured interviews are conversations that have a focus, but no specific list of questions.

200

What methods can be used to gather the data in a case study from the participants?

Interviews, observations, surveys
200

Identify one strength of a correlation study?

Can lead to further research if a relationship is found

300

Why is it important to replicate research?

To test the reliability of the study

300

What is the difference between a covert and an overt observation

Covert - aware they are being observed

Overt - unaware of being observed

300

Give an example of an interviewer effect.

The halo effect – where the interviewee finds the interviewer attractive; the tone of voice or body language of the interviewer which may influence the mood of the interviewee. The age or gender of the interviewer.

300

When finishing the case study, researchers must think about how their own personal biases or experiences may have influenced their findings.  

What is this called?

Personal reflexivity

300

When are correlational studies common

In areas of psychology where it may not be possible to ethically or practically manipulate variables as part of an experiment

400

A study looked at the effect of television on aggression in children. Aggression levels were measured before television was in the community and then one year later.  What type of experiment is this?

Natural experiment

400

Name two limitations of carrying out an overt observation.

Reactivity; social desirability effect; 

expectancy effect.

400

What are two limitations of a focus group?

Difficult to maintain confidentiality; conformity effects; not good for sensitive or private questions; there may be status or gender influences. Sometimes difficult to facilitate.  Someone may dominate.

400

Identify two limitations of the case study method.

Researcher bias; longitudinal which means they require a lot of time – may mean attrition of participants or researchers; difficult to generalize to other populations; not replicable.

400

The problem with correlations that we cannot know if x causes y, if y causes x, or if there is no true cause and effect relationship.



Bidirectional ambiguity

500

When an experiment is done so that neither the people who are doing the experiment nor the people who are the subjects of the experiment know which of the groups being studied is the control group and which is the test group.

Double blind control

500

After carrying out an analysis of her field notes, a researcher shares her interpretation of the observation with her participants.  Why does she do this?

To establish credibility – that is, that the participants confirm the validity of her interpretations.

500

Why are focus groups open to sampling bias?

They are often samples of opportunity; in addition, researchers often exclude people based on certain characteristics that they feel would unduly influence the interview.

500

Case studies are difficult to generalize.  What is one type of generalization strategy?

Representational generalization: can be applied to other populations; 

Inferential generalization: applied to other populations in a similar situation (also called transferability) 

Theoretical generalization: the results can be used to generate theories.

500

What are the different types of correlations that can be found?

Positive

Negative

No