Positive Outlook + Memory Deconstruction
Errors
Random
Strengths
Weaknesses
Variables
Research Design Type
Data is subjective to participants reporting inaccurate data. There is a level of trust involved with the data collection process as the participant must submit truthful data for the conclusions made to be accurate.
High anxiety/stress environment
High levels of arousal (stress/anxiety in this case) can lead to less effective memory (word) recall. (Yerkes-Dodson Law of Arousal).
Distractions potentially drawing the participants full attention from the audio.
Extra tabs and notifications on the computer.
Environmental changes such as; lighting, temperature, people walking past and surrounding classrooms.
Technical issues implicating the participants ability to listen to the audio easily (eg. battery, headphone connection etc.)
Quantitative Observational Experimental Design
Subject to more extraneous variables as it is conducted in a more natural, less controlled environment.
Extraneous/Uncontrolled
Independent
Dependant
Number of words recalled within the 1 minute time frame.
The level of positive outlook and imagery assigned with the list of words.
Different Days
Different Environments
Having varying environments (conversation, surrounding peers, pressure, home, school, stress) may impact the comparability of the data as they were conducted under different circumstances.
Varying energy levels may alter the memory of participants. Eg. The same study done Lesson 2 Monday and Friday last lesson may have different energy levels and therefore focus levels.
Small sample size (38 Year 11 psychology students)
Potential of language barriers
Participants who may speak english as a second language may have a predisposition to lesser memory recall due to a language barrier in comparison to a primary english speaker.
The word list was composed of simple, well known and commonly used words
Ethical Considerations were in place eg. Voluntary participation, right to withdraw, confidentiality etc.
Less conclusive findings that are more subject to errors.
An unclear outlier in the data may arise.
Impact on results
The list of random errors seen below may impact the data as there are inconsistencies in the measurements and how the experiment was conducted. They may also have the possibility of leading to false conclusions or supposed connections between the variables and the data.
Subjective to random/human errors.
Subjective to interpretation and confusion.
The positive outlook/imagery associated with each of the groups may be confusing for some participants. This may results in less effective memory recall and the appearance of words that are not found on the list.
The 1 minute timer
The sounds of peers typing
Participation bias
Music Knowledge
Participants with greater music knowledge and engagement may have a predisposition to better memory recall due to the connection with the topic.