Research methods : PSYCHOLOGY

• What is the definition of the experimental method?


  The experimental method involves manipulating an independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on a dependent variable (DV).
• What is the difference between a directional and non-directional hypothesis?


  A directional hypothesis specifies the direction of the effect of the independent variable (IV) on the dependent variable (DV), while a non-directional hypothesis does not.
• What are five types of sampling methods?

  • Opportunity sampling
  • Random sampling
  • Systematic sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Volunteer sampling
• How would you take a stratified sample?


  1. Identify the strata.
  2. Calculate the required proportion for each stratum based on the target population size.
  3. Select the sample at random from each stratum.
  4. Use a random selection method, such as a computer.
• What is one advantage of using a stratified sample?


  A stratified sample is more representative of the target population compared to other sampling methods.
• What does operationalisation mean?


  Operationalisation is the process of defining how a concept is measured, observed, or manipulated in a study.
• What is the difference between the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV)?


  The IV is manipulated to observe its effect on the DV, which is measured and affected by the IV.
• What is a solution to the problem of order effects in a repeated measures design?


  A solution is counterbalancing, where half of the participants experience conditions in one order and the other half in the opposite order.
• What is the difference between the aim and the hypothesis of a study?


  The aim describes what the study investigates, while the hypothesis predicts the relationship between the IV and the DV.
• What are the four types of experiments?


  • Laboratory experiments
  • Field experiments
  • Quasi-experiments
  • Natural experiments
• What is the purpose of carrying out a peer review?


  • Allocate research funding to worthwhile projects
  • Ensure research quality and relevance
  • Suggest improvements to prevent faulty data release
• What are the two types of skewed distributions?


  • Positive skew: long tail on the right
  • Negative skew: long tail on the left
• What are two strengths of conducting a content analysis?


  • High mundane realism and external validity
  • Produces a large dataset of qualitative and quantitative data that is easy to analyze
• What are two limitations of a content analysis?

  • Causality cannot be established
  • Cannot extract deeper meaning or explanation for data patterns
• What are three limitations of conducting a case study?


  • Not generalizable to wider populations
  • Reliance on potentially unreliable memory in retrospective studies
  • Time-consuming
• What is the definition of reliability in research?


  Reliability is a measure of consistency in research findings.
• What are two ways of assessing the validity of research?

  • Face validity: determining if a measure appears to measure what it should
  • Concurrent validity: checking how well a new measure correlates with an established one
• What are the three factors that help decide which inferential statistical test to use?


  The three factors are the level of measurement, the number of groups being compared, and the distribution of the data.
• What is face validity in research?


  It is when a measure is scrutinized to determine if it appears to measure what it is supposed to.
• What is concurrent validity?


  It checks the extent to which a psychological measure relates to an existing similar one.
• How would you establish concurrent validity for a new depression scale?


  By comparing it with an established measure like the Beck Depression Inventory.
• What are the three factors that help decide which inferential statistical test to use?


  The level of data, whether the design is related or unrelated, and whether a difference or correlation is being measured.
• What are the three levels of measurement?

  Nominal data, interval data, and ordinal data.
• What is nominal data?


  Data that describes characteristics or groups without any ranking or natural order.
• Give an example of nominal data.


  Ethnicity, car brand, or place of birth.
• What is ordinal data?


  Data that describes characteristics or groups and can be ordered or ranked.
• Provide an example of ordinal data.


  Political orientation or income level.
• What is interval data?


  Numerical data that does not have a meaningful zero point.
• Give an example of interval data.


  Credit ratings, temperature, or IQ scores.
• What is the difference between a single-blind procedure and a double-blind procedure?


  In a double-blind procedure, neither the researcher nor the participant knows the study's aims, while in a single-blind procedure, only the participant is unaware.
• What is the difference between unstructured and structured observation?


  An unstructured observation records everything continuously, while structured observation uses a predetermined list of behaviors to quantify observations.
• How do correlations differ from experiments?


  Correlations measure variables without manipulation and do not involve a dependent or independent variable, indicating only an association.
• What are three measures of central tendency?


  Mode, median, and mean.
• What is the difference between primary and secondary data?


  Primary data is collected firsthand by the researcher, while secondary data has already been collected by someone else.
• What should a researcher consider when constructing a questionnaire?


  Clarity, analysis, and sequencing of questions.
• What are two strengths of conducting an unstructured interview?


  It collects a lot of data with depth and can be tailored to individuals for more insight.
• What are various types of observation?


  Naturalistic, controlled, overt, covert, participant, and non-participant.
• What are different ethical issues that research may present?

  Informed consent, deception, protection from harm, and privacy and confidentiality.