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A2 Research Methods (Content Analysis (Coding (Used to turn qualitative…
A2 Research Methods
Content Analysis
Coding
Used to turn qualitative data into quantitative data then used for statistical analysis.
categorises info into meaningful units (uses behavioural categories)
Investigator should read the artefact and then add reoccurring themes into the checklist. Investigator will then read artefact once more tilling the number of times the themes occur.
Thematic
data remains qualitative. Summarises large amounts of data. themes are identified and the data is organised according to these themes.
Strengths
High ecological validity. analysis based on direct observations of real life interactions.
Sources can be accessed by others allowing for replications of the analysis. allows testing of reliability.
Allows data to be statistically analysed by changing qualitative data into quantitative data.
Weaknesses
observer bias reduces objectivity & therefore the validity of findings. Interpretations may vary.
Cultural bias because interpretations of the material will depend on culture and language.
Features of Science
science comes from a Latin word meaning Knowledge. What we know to be true rather than what we believe. Science is reliant on empirical methods of experimenting.
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Psychological studies must be scientific in order to be widely accepted (in most cases).
Objective - Data should be collected under controlled conditions. Psychologists must not let personal opinions & biases impact the results of a study.
Replicability - Validity of a study can be checked by repeating any studies which have previously taken place. shows findings can be generalised.
Paradigms - A general theory/law that is accepted by the majority of scientists. Kuhn suggested psychology is a pre-science because of the lack of a paradigm
Paradigm Shift - This is when a new paradigm is suggested to an overwhelming amount of contradictory evidence to the previous paradigm.
Case Studies
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Strengths.
Produce rich in-depth information allowing us to understand complexities of behaviour.
Opportunity to study situations that couldn't be set up due to ethical or practical reasons. Findings will therefore be ecologically viable.
Weaknesses
Cannot be generalised to others because the sample size is 1.
Investigator may get emotionally close to individual therefore losing objectivity.
Variables cannot be controlled therefore cannot be used to investigate casual relationships.
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Types of Error
Type 1 Error (False Positive) - occurs in a hypothesis test when the null is rejected when it is actually true.
type 2 Error (False Negative) - Occurs in a hypothesis test when the null is accepted when in fact the alternative is true.
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Reliability & Validity
Reliability - How consistent any particular measurement is.
Validity - Related to reliability because if a measurement isn't reliable then it cant be valid.
Issues with Reliability.
Experimental - reliability refers to the ability to repeat a study and obtain the same results.
Observational - Ideally 2 or more observers should produce the same record.
Self Report
Internal reliability - The measure of the extent of which something is consistent within itself.(All questions measure the same thing)
External reliability - measure of consistency over several different occasions. Reliability can be assessed by using split- half method or test-retest.
Issues with Validity.
Internal Validity - What did the researchers test compared to what they intended to test.
External Validity - The extent to which the results of the study can be generalised to other situations & people.
Face Validity - Does the test look as if it is measuring what the researcher intended to.
Concurrent - Comparing performance on a new questionnaire or test with a previously established test on the same topic.
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