RESEARCH METHODS

RESEARCH METHODS

1. Experiment Design

   • Repeated Measures
     • All participants do all conditions
       • Positive = any difference in result is likely to be becaused by IV as no difference in Groups
       • Negative = 2nd condition could improve because of practice effect
       • Negative = order effects bored / tired will affect result
   • Independent Measures
     • Participants only complete one condition
       • individual differences are not accounted for
       • no order effects

2. TYPES OF EXPERIMENT

   • Laboratory
     • Artifical
     • Controlled
     • Measurable
     • low ecological validity
   • Field
     • Natural Setting
     • small amount of control
     • high ecological validity
     • extraneous variables

3. TYPES OF STUDY

   • Correlational Study - analysis of two set of data looking for a relationship
     • Positive Correlation = 1 variable so does other
     • Negative Correlation = 1 variable increases 1 variable decreases
   • Longitudinal - takes place over a long time, (case study of a child)
     • Attrition - drop out of participants
   • Cross Sectional - comparing two sets of participants ("who can 2yr olds v 7yr olds
     • Piaget - Conservation of number
   • Case Study - natural, either one person or a small group
     • Qualitative data, rich details / observation
     • often subjective / researcher bias
     • Freud

4. Quantitative Data = Numerical Data

5. Qualitative Data = Descriptive Data