research methods

research methods

1. questionnaires

   • quantative data
     • numerical data e.g a measurement
   • qualatitive data
     • written data or descriptive data can be in pictures
   • self report
     • a ppt. reports on their own experiences
   • questions
     • closed questions
       • questions which you have to choose from a set of answers normally yes/no ect.
     • open questions
       • questions in which you are free to write what you like
   • weaknesses
     • people may lie or exaggerate to make themselves look better
     • people may misunderstand or not understand the question

2. ethical issues

   • informed consent
     • ppt. knows they are taking part in a study and they know what will happen to them
       • children under 16 cannot consent
   • right to withdraw
     • ppt. can leave the study at any time even if not is not finished
       • they should never be pressured to continue
   • confidentiality
     • researcher must always keep ppt. personal information and results confidential
   • protection of paricipents
     • protects ppt. from physical and psychological harm
       • ppt. should not be decieved
       • ppt. should not be distressed
       • ppt. should leave in the same state they came
       • ppt. should not be embarrassed or uncomfortable
   • deception
     • do not lie to ppt. you tell them everything that will happen to them
       • tell them everything in the debreif

3. hypothesis

   • a prediction of what will happen
     • Null hypothesis (H0)
       • predicts no difference
         • e.g. there will be no difference in the stress levels of people working in noisy conditions compared to those working in quiet conditions
     • alternate hypothesis (H1)
       • predicts a difference
         • e.g. there will be a difference in the stress levels of people who work in noisy conditions to those who work in quiet.
           • or there will be a higher level of stress in people who work in noisy conditions than those who work in quiet

4. variables

   • independant
     • something that can be changed or manipulated
   • dependant
     • something that can be measured
   • extraneous (control)
     • something which you keep the same
       • can effect results if it is not controlled
         • this is then called a extraneous variable
           • participant variable
             • differences between ppt. in two groups
           • situational variable
             • parts of the environment that may affect the results
   • standardisation
     • every trial is run in the same way
       • standardised procedure
         • each ppt. is treated in the same way
       • standardised procedure
         • each ppt. is given the same instructions

5. sampling techniques

   • target population
     • people you are interested in looking at
     • sample
       • group from the target pop.
       • random sample
         • put all posibilities together and pick out a certain number of them
           • + not as bias +more representative +more generalisable
           • -pick everything that is similar, not always representative -takes alot of time
       • opportunity sample
         • you use what is avalible to you
           • +quick and easy
           • -bias, dont get generalisable results

6. experiments

   • the way a researcher finds out information
     • variables must be included
   • field experiment
     • an experiment which is carried out in a controlled setting
       • STRENGTHS: researcher has a higher control of extraneous variables, it is more ethical because the ppt will generally know they are taking part in a experiment so will know all details
       • WEAKNESSES: it is less ecologically valid as it is in a fake environment, ppt may act differently, more chance of demand charecteristics because ppt might find out aim and act differently
   • labatory experiment
     • an experiment which is carried out in a natural environment
       • STRENGTHS: higher ecological validity as it is in a natural setting so ppt will act more naturally
       • WEAKNESSES: less ethical because ppt. do not always know they are taking part so they do not know they can withdraw ect.

7. interviews

   • face to face meeting researchers use to get information
   • structured interview
     • pre set questions to ask, interview does not generally move off subject
   • unstructured interview
     • no set questions to follow conversation leads from answers given
   • people are less likely to lie
   • people may not include everything, may be embaressed