Paper 3

• What is a characteristic of a true experiment?

  Independent variable manipulated by researcher
• What does a true experiment allow researchers to determine?

  Cause and effect relationships
• What is a characteristic of a quasi-experiment?

  Participants not randomly allocated
• Why can't firm conclusions be drawn from quasi-experiments?

  IV not manipulated by researcher
• What is a natural experiment?

  IV occurs naturally, not manipulated
• What is a characteristic of field experiments?

  Conducted in real-life settings
• What is a covert observation?

  Participants are unaware they are being observed
• What is a characteristic of overt observation?

  Participants are aware they are being observed
• What is the main advantage of non-participant observation?

  Allows for more objective data collection
• What is a disadvantage of participant observation?

  Risk of researcher bias due to involvement
• What is a characteristic of unstructured interviews?

  Direction determined by interviewee
• What is a focus group?

  8-12 participants interviewed together
• What is a key feature of correlation studies?

  No manipulation of variables by researcher
• What is a case study?

  Focus on a single individual or group
• What is method triangulation?

  Use multiple research methods to collect data

  
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Participants selected based on accessibility
• What is a characteristic of random sampling?

  Every individual has equal chance of selection
• What is stratified sampling?

  Population divided into subgroups for selection
• What are two characteristics of the experiment method?

  1. Independent variable (IV) manipulated by researcher, 2. Dependent variable (DV) measured
• What are two characteristics of the quasi-experiment method?

  1. Participants not randomly allocated, 2. IV not manipulated by researcher
• What are two characteristics of the natural experiment method?

  1. IV occurs naturally, not manipulated by researcher, 2. Often use pre-test post-test design
• What are two characteristics of the field experiment method?

  1. Conducted in real-life settings, 2. Participants randomly allocated
• What are two characteristics of the covert observation method?

  1. Participants are unaware they are being observed, 2. Reduces demand characteristics
• What are two characteristics of the overt observation method?

  1. Participants are aware they are being observed, 2. Participants may see the researcher observing them
• What are two characteristics of the non-participant observation method?

  1. Researcher observes without participating in group activities, 2. Allows for more objective data collection
• What are two characteristics of the participant observation method?

  1. Researcher actively participates in the group being studied, 2. Provides unique insider perspective
• What are two characteristics of the unstructured interview method?

  1. Clear research objective with broad topics or themes for discussion, 2. Direction determined by interviewee
• What are two characteristics of the semi-structured interview method?

  1. Predetermined set of questions with flexibility, 2. Combines open and closed questions
• What are two characteristics of the focus group method?

  1. 8-12 participants interviewed together, 2. Facilitator monitors discussion and keeps group on topic
• What are two characteristics of the correlation method?

  1. No manipulation of variables by researcher, 2. Cannot establish causality
• What are two characteristics of the case study method?

  1. Focus on a single individual, group, or organization, 2. Typically longitudinal in nature
• What are two characteristics of the method triangulation approach?

  1. Use multiple research methods to collect data, 2. Increases credibility of findings

  
• What are two characteristics of the naturalistic approach?

  1. Data collected in the natural environment, 2. Enhances ecological validity
• What are two characteristics of the holistic data collection approach?

  1. Examines many aspects of the subject, 2. Provides a comprehensive understanding
• What are two characteristics of the combination of data types approach?

  1. May collect both qualitative and quantitative data, 2. Allows for a more complete picture
• What are two characteristics of the opportunity sampling method?

  1. Participants selected based on availability/accessibility to researcher, 2. Non-random sampling technique
• What are the key ethical considerations described in the study material?

  Informed consent, right to withdraw, no deception, protection from harm, confidentiality, debriefing

  
• What is the purpose of the debriefing process described in the ethical considerations?

  To provide participants with a full explanation of the study after their participation

  
• If the study involved observing participants in a public setting without their knowledge, what additional ethical consideration could be applied?

  Ensuring the observation is only conducted in public settings where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy
• What are the key differences between true experiments, quasi-experiments, and natural experiments?

  True Experiments:

  • IV manipulated by researcher
  • DV measured
  • Participants randomly allocated
  • Can determine cause and effect
  • High internal validity

  
  

  Quasi-Experiments:

  • Participants not randomly allocated
  • IV not manipulated by researcher
  • Cannot draw firm conclusions about cause and effect
  • Lower internal validity than true experiments

  
  

  Natural Experiments:

  • IV occurs naturally, not manipulated by researcher
  • Often use pre-test post-test design
  • May lack internal validity due to less control