Research Methods

• What are the characteristics of a laboratory experiment?

  It has high levels of control, precision, and uses specialized equipment
• In a laboratory experiment, what does the experimenter manipulate?

  The independent variable (IV)
• What is the setting of a field experiment?

  Outside the laboratory in real-life situations
• What is the purpose of conducting a field experiment?

  To improve realism while the IV is manipulated
• How does a natural experiment differ from other experimental methods?

  It studies naturally occurring events without manipulation by the researcher
• What occurs naturally in a natural experiment?

  The independent variable (IV)
• What defines a quasi-experiment?

  It has an IV based on an existing difference between people
• What is a key feature of non-experimental methods?

  They do not manipulate variables
• What is the focus of observations in non-experimental methods?

  Observing particular categories of behaviors or events
• What is the purpose of interviews in non-experimental methods?

  To ask respondents questions face to face
• What is required for conducting interviews?

  Planning and piloting
• What do questionnaires aim to gather information about?

  Beliefs, behaviors, and intentions of participants
• What is the advantage of using questionnaires?

  They can gather information from large numbers of people quickly and efficiently
• What does correlation measure in psychological research?

  The strength of the relationship between two variables
• From which methods can correlation analyze data?

  From different methods including lab, interviews, and field studies
• What does the correlation technique analyze?

  Quantitative data
• What are the two variables involved in correlation analysis?

  Independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV)
• What is the primary goal of using experimental methods in psychological research?

  To determine the effects of an independent variable on a dependent variable
• What is the main focus of observational techniques in research methods?

  To assess the use of observational techniques and design
• What are the two main types of observation discussed in the study material?

  Naturalistic observation and controlled observation
• What is the difference between overt and covert observation?

  Overt observation involves participants being aware they are being observed, while covert observation does not disclose this to participants
• What are behavioral categories in observational research?


  Key behaviors or collections of behavior that the researcher will pay attention to and record
• What is a controlled observation?

  An observation study where researchers control some variables, often taking place in a laboratory setting
• What is event sampling in observational research?

  A method where a target behavior is identified and recorded every time it occurs
• What is naturalistic observation?


  An observation study conducted in the environment where the behavior would normally occur
• What is observer bias?


  When observers allow their knowledge of the study's aims or hypotheses to influence their observations
• What is participant observation?


  An observation study where the researcher joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing
• What is structured observation?

  An observation study using a predetermined coding scheme to record participants' behavior
• What is unstructured observation?


  An observation where there is no checklist, and every behavior seen is written down in as much detail as possible
• What is the difference between naturalistic observation and a natural experiment?

  Naturalistic observations do not have independent and dependent variables, while natural experiments do
• What are the advantages of naturalistic observation?

  • Realism and natural behavior
  • High external validity
  • Low demand characteristics and investigator effects
• What are the disadvantages of naturalistic observation?

  • Lack of control and difficult to replicate
  • Observer bias may influence interpretations
• What are the advantages of controlled observation?

  • Can be replicated to check reliability
  • Researcher controls variables
• What are the disadvantages of controlled observation?

  • Low ecological validity
  • Behaviors recorded in an artificial environment
• What are the strengths of covert observation?

  • Investigator effects are unlikely
  • Participants' behavior is likely to be genuine
• What are the limitations of covert observation?

  • Less ethical as participants are unaware
  • Cannot give fully informed consent
• What are the strengths of overt observation?

  • Possible to inform participants and obtain informed consent
• What are the limitations of overt observation?

  • Behavior can be distorted through investigator effects
  • Participants may change behavior due to social desirability bias
• What are the strengths of participant observation?

  • Can obtain in-depth data
  • Researcher is in close proximity to participants
• What are the limitations of participant observation?

  • Researcher's presence might influence participants' behavior
  • Evaluation apprehension may occur