Research methods

    Cards (88)

    • What is science ?
      • Science is concerned with a body of systematic knowledge that covered general truths and general principles and laws
      Science is also about the system used to obtain knowledge
    • What is objectivity ?
      • When all sources of personal bias are minimised so as not to distort or influence the research process
    • what is an empirical method ?
      scientific approaches that are based on the gathering of evidence through observation and experience
    • What is replicability ?
      • the extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by others
    • What is Falsifiability ?
      The principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proven untrue
    • Who was Popper
      • Popper put forward his hypothetic-deductive model of science
      • He believes that science takes place through the careful questioning, experimenting , evidence testing and conclusion making of scientists
      • He suggests that falsifiability is central to this process working correctly
      • We slowly gain further understanding of a topic using this method
    • What was Poppers method ?
      • identify a problem through observations or desire to question common assumption
      • develop a hypothesis about the problem. this should be predictive and crucially testable
      Devise a study to test the hypothesis
      . Analyse and evaluate the results to determine whether they support the hypothesis or not
      . Modify and repeat the process in light of stage 4
      . Develop a theory
    • What is a paradigm shift ?
      • The result of scientific revolution: a scientific change within the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline
    • What is meant by a paradigm ?
      • A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline
    • What did Kuhn say ?
      He criticised Poppers work and He proposed thy science moves forward by undertaking paradigm shifts
    • Kahns method ?
      • Normal science , there is a dominant paradigm all the scientific community accept it
      • Then mounting contradictory evidence is generated and can no longer be explained with the existing paradigm
      Paradigm shift takes place where the scientific community abandon previous theory and accept new views described as a scientific revolution
    • what is a laboratory experiment ?
      this is an experiment where all variables are controlled or manipulated it is an artificial setting
    • What is a Field experiment
      This is an experiment that is carried out in a natural setting but the researcher does manipulate the Independent Variable
    • What’s an independent variable ?
      • The thing you can change in your experiment
    • What is an dependent variable ?
      The thing you are measuring in the experiment
    • What is a confounding variable
      • Any variable other than the Independent variable that may have affected the Dependent variable so we cannot be sure of the true source of the changes to the Dependent variable
    • What is an Extraneous variable ?
      Any variable other than the Independent variable that may have affected the Dependent variable if it is not controlled
    • What is a pilot study ?
      Small scale research designed to highlight any obvious issues with the research before the real thing is done
    • What is an Experimental / Alternative hypothesis ?
      • Hypothesis which state that there will be a positive outcome
      • The independent variable will affect the Dependent variable
      Directional and non-directional are both experimental
    • What is a Null hypothesis ?
      • These are hypothesis which state that there will be a negative outcome
      • The independent variable will not effect the Dependent variable
    • What is a directional hypothesis ?
      This is an experimental hypothesis which states a positive outcome and which direction it will be in
      Which condition if the independent variable will perform best or what type of correlation
    • What is a non-directional hypothesis ?
      This experimental hypothesis which states a positive outcome but no direction or will be in
    • What are the strengths of the laboratory method ?
      • Highly controlled minimises the effects of extraneous variable
      • highly controlled increase the cause and effect
    • What are weaknesses of laboratory methods?
      • it lacks mundane realism due to its artificial nature
      it can introduce demand characterisdtics as participants are aware that they are being studied
    • What are strengths of the field method
      • natural settings reduce demand characteristics
      • Control over Independent variable means that cause and effect can still be established
    • Weaknesses of the field method
      • Natural setting can introduce extraneous variables
      • Ethics can be more challenging as you may run this in a covert fashion
    • What’s a benefit of the natural method ?
      • Reduces demand characteristics due to its natural design
      • Increases internal validity as participants are doing what they would normally do
    • What’s a weakness of the natural method
      • lack of control increases the likelihood of extraneous variables having a role
      • Due to no direct manipulation from the researcher cause and effect can be difficult to establish
    • whats the strength of the Quasi method ?
      • Controlled design allows for reduction in extraneous variables
      • Controlled design means that cause and effects can be established
    • What’s a weakness of the Quasi method
      Participant variables could be introduced due to lack of random allocation
      • it’s artificial nature means it lacks mundane realism
    • What is a Naturalistic Observation ?
      This is observing behaviour in a natural setting where everything has been left as it is . These should only occur in circumstances where people expect to be be observed e.g. in a classroom
    • whats a controlled observation
      This is where some variables are controlled by the researcher, usually in a specifically designed set up structured environment. This is less natual as participants may be aware that they are in a study
    • What is a Covert Observation?
      Behaviour is observed and recorded without obtaining consent. Participants are unaware they are being watched or focused on
      The observer is typically tucked away from view e.g. behind a one way mirror
    • What is an Overt Observation
      An observation in which behaviour is observed and participants are aware they are being watched. They have given their full consent
    • What is a Participant Observation ?
      Where the observer becomes part of the group they are studying
    • What is a non participant observation ?

      When it is impractical to join a particular group the observer remains separate, observing behaviour outsider of the group in a more objective way
    • Evaluation of Observant research
      Adv - Often observation is more valid as what people say they do and what they actually do is very different. observation can capture spontaneous and unexpected behaviour that participants may not repeat themselves
      Dis - These are subject to observer bias. peoples behaviour will change when they are unaware that they are being watched. equally the people observing may be subjective in their measurements of what they see . their observation is biased by their own beliefs ( SOCIAL DESIRABILITY BIAS)
    • What is time sampling
      Recording behaviour shown within a timeframe for example you may record what a particular individual is doing every 30 seconds
    • what is Event sampling
      Counting the number of times a particular behaviour takes place
    • What are the two sampling Methods
      Time sampling
      Event sampling
    See similar decks