Scientific Process

• What is a Pilot study?

  A small scale trial run of the investigation/experiment first.
• Why is a Pilot study done?


  To find out if the study works or not and whether the procedures need tweaking.
• What can the researcher also check for? (Pilot study)

  Tasks aren't too easy (ceiling effects - where everyone scores high) or too hard (floor effect - everyone scores low). They can then be adjusted without wasting time.
• What is a Confederate?


  Another person to play a role in the investigation. They are not a participant, they know what it's about and are 'in' on it.
• What is a Confederate sometimes called?


  A stooge or an actor. They are playing a role!
• What is the BPS Code of Ethics?

  A document produced by British Psycologial Society. Details general principles that apply to the use of human participants in all research contexts.
• What are the 4 major principles?


  Respect, Competence, Responsibility and integrity.
• What is Respect?

  Involves privacy, confidentially, consent, issues of power etc.
• What is Competence?


  Ability to provide professional standards.
• What is Responsibility?


  Involves acting accordingly, not abusing trust/your power.
• What is Integrity?


  Involves being honest, truthful, accurate, consistent and honest about your aim.
• What are the Ethical guidelines?

  • Informed Consent
  • Right to Withdraw
  • Deception
  • Debriefing
  • Protection from harm
  • Confidentiality
  • Competence
• What is Informed consent?


  Participants should give consent to be used in research study and for their data to be part of the final analysis.

  
  

  1. Must know everything about participant before they agree.
• How does Informed consent work in research?


  Sign a consent form at start. Must have reference to the procedure and relevant ethics. If participant is under 18, informed consent must come from parents/carers. Should be informed of other rights within this stage.
• What is Right to Withdraw? (RTW)

  Should be informed that they can drop out of a study whenever and how they go about doing this. They can also ask for data to be removed.
• How RTW work in research?

  Must be included in consent form and restated throughout the study, after the study up until publication. Participant should have professional contact details of researched so they can be contacted.
• What is Deception?


  Intentionally withhold info about study/aims from the Participant. It may be because it stops P's from changing their behaviour so it's all natural but it must be justified.
• How does Deception work in research?


  If true aim of study is withheld to protect he validity of the study, the true aim must be revealed as part of the debrief at the end of the study and the right to withdraw reiterated.
• What is Debriefing?


  Recap. Researchers must speak to Participants at the end of the study explaining fully what the study was about + what the results mean.
• How does Debriefing work in research?

  The P must have the opportunity to ask questions. Reminder of the RTW. Discussion of findings. If deception has officered, the debrief reveals the true aim of the research.
• What is Protection from Harm? (PFM)


  Researcher must not cause distress to participants; they must be protected from physical + mental harm. If vulnerable groups are used, they must use special care.
• How does PFM work in research?


  If harm has happened, aftercare must be provided by the researcher signposting relevant professions e.g. counsellors, social workers.
• What is Confidentiality?


  Researcher needs to make sure each participants privacy + identity is protected at all times. Info should be stored somewhere secure.
• How does Confidentiality work in research?


  Names protected e.g. by use of until, pseudonyms. P should not be traceable in any way including the area they live, work etc.
• What is Competence?


  Refers to how well the researcher understands the code of ethics and their ability to recognise, analyse and resolve ethical situations.
• How does Competence work in research?

  Psychologists should be aware of their competence and professional boundaries. They must keep up to date with career professional development.

  
  

  R needs to 1st examine their proposal in order to identify any possible ethical issues so a plan can be put in place
• What is target population?


  The group that the R's draws the sample from and wants to be Abe to generalise findings to.
• What is the sample?


  Small number of people selected from the target pop who take part in the investigation.
• What are the types of Sampling techniques?

  • Random sampling
  • Opportunity sampling
  • Volunteer sampling
  • Systematic sampling
  • Stratified sampling
• What is Random sampling?


  All names of individuals in a population are put into hat/computer and pulled randomly.
• Example of Random sampling:


  Names of B students are put into a hat andR selects numbers of names needed for study.
• What is a strength of Random sampling?

  Best technique for being representative. This is because participants with similar demographics could be selected e.g. an all female sample could be randomly selected.
• What is a weakness of Random sampling?

  Te sample may be unrepresentative. This is because demographics could all be selected e.g. an all female sample could be randomly selected.
• What is Opportunity sampling? 


  Involves obtaining people who are available at a certain location and gratin time to take part in the research.
• Example of Opportunity sampling:


  Selecting students who happen to be walking past the library at 12:30.
• What is a strength of Opportunity sampling?


  It's easier and more convient. This is because less time, money and resources req.
• What is a weakness of Opportunity sampling?


  Not likely to be representative. This is because the R decides who they will approach to ask to take part.
• What is Volunteer sampling?


  Not selected by R, its self-selecting by responding to ad etc.
• Example of Volunteer sampling:


  People responding via email to an ad at a sports centre.
• What is a strength of volunteer sampling?


  Easier and more content than random. This is because its req minimal input from R and less money, time and resources req.