Paper 3
Question 1
1.) Identify the research method used and outline two characteristics of the method
Lab experiment
Description- Very controlled: sample, time, place and circumstances. Standardised procedure. Participants are randomly assigned to each independent variable group.
Advantages
Limitations
Low ecological validity due to high levels of control
Experimenter effect or demand characteristics can cause bias
Allow cause and effect relationships to be established due high levels of control.
Easy to replicate due to standardised procedure
2.) Describe the sampling method used in the study
3.) Suggest an alternative or additional research method giving one reason for your choice
Question 2- one of...
Describe the ethical considerations that were applied in the study and explain if further ethical considerations could be applied
Describe the ethical considerations in reporting the results and explain ethical considerations that could be taken into account when applying the findings of the study
Question 3- one of...
Discuss the possibility of generalising the findings of the study
Discuss how a researcher could ensure that the results of the study are credible
Discuss how the researcher in the study could avoid bias
Field experiment
Description- Takes place in real life environment but the researcher manipulates the IV. Low control of extraneous variables.
Advantages
Reduced chance of demand characteristics
Higher ecological validity as it is a more natural setting for cognition
Disadvantages
Low control over extraneous variables
Hard to replicate
Natural experiment
Description- Conducted in everyday environment but the research does not manipulate the independent variable
Advantages
Disadvantages
very high ecological validity as behaviour is natural
Unlikely chance of demand characteristics
Can be used in areas where it would be unethical to manipulate the IV, e.g. researching stress
More expensive and time consuming
No control over extraneous variables which makes exact replication very difficult
Case study
Description- In depth investigations of a person or group of people. Typically done over a duration of time using various other research methods like observation and interviews
Advantages
Disadvantages
Detailed information
Provides insight for further investigation
Permits investigation of impractical or unethical situations
Difficult to generalise the results to the wider population
Researcher bias may occur as the researchers opinions may influence his report
Difficult to replicate
Time consuming
Interviews
Description- Structure or non-structure conversation between the researcher and a participant about the area of research
Group
Description- Where a dozen or so participants are interviewed together. The research must ensure interaction while controlling to direction of the interview
Advantages
Structured
Disadvantages
Unstructured
Description- Questions are asked in the set order. The researcher will not deviate from this set
Disadvantages
Description- Potentially no schedule used. Open ended questions are used
Disadvantages
Increased validity as this is a more natural research method
Difficult to maintain privacy of information
Less reliable as questions and responses may deviate from the schedule
Advantages
Fairly quick to conduct allowing for a larger sample
Not flexible to new mid-interview questions
Responses to closed questions give little insight into causes of behaviour
Advantages
Open questions allow the research to answer in depth which gains better qualitative data
Better validity as the researcher can ask for clarity, or probe deeper. The participant often leads the interview
Time consuming to construct and analyse
Expensive and time consuming to train interviewers
Able to deviate from the structure depending on the participants responses
Good reliability as they stick to fixed question which means it is easy to replicate
The use of open questions allows participants to respond in depth and allows the research to get a better understanding of the participants viewpoint
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Opportunity sampling- Uses people from a target population which are available at the time and willing to participate. Built by asking people.
Advantage- quick and convenient method
Disadvantage- may not provide a representative sample and may be subject to bias
Researcher triangulation- compare results
Get another psychologist to check the research
Ask the participants if they feel the results reflect their behaviour
Random sampling- Everyone in a population has an equal chance of being selected. They require a way of numbering the target population so a raffle type draw can be made
Advantages- The sample should be representative of the target population.
-Eliminates sampling bias
Disadvantages- Difficult to set up, takes time, money and effort
Stratified sampling- The researcher identifies the different groups of people who make up a population and then works out what the proportions required for the sample to be representative of the population.
Advantages- Highly representative so the results should be easy to generalise
Disadvantages- Extremely time consuming and difficult
Systematic sampling- When researchers choose participants in an orderly/logical way, e.g. every nth participant.
Advantage- should produce a representative sample
Disadvantage- takes time, effort and money
Ethical considerations
Informed consent
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