4.2.3 Research Methods

• What are two factors to consider when using the sign test?

  Data must be nominal and related.
• Why is the sign test appropriate for nominal data?

  It only requires the direction of change.
• How many nominal groups were in the investigation?

  Three nominal groups.
• Why must the data be related or paired for the sign test?

  It compares the same participants' absences.
• What is the calculated value of s in the sign test?

  4 (negative sign).
• How is the s value determined in the sign test?

  By counting the less frequent sign.
• What does the sign test exclude when calculating s?

  Neutral results.
• What is the critical value for a sample size of 18 at the 0.05 level?


  4.
• Is the calculated s value significant at the 0.05 level?

  Yes, it equals the critical value.
• How would using primary data improve the investigation?

  It ensures accuracy and consistency in data.
• What is a benefit of collecting primary data regarding absences?

  It provides real-time, reliable information.
• What additional information could be gathered through primary data?

  Severity of depression and other factors.
• How does primary data ensure appropriate sample characteristics?

  It tailors the sample to the study's purpose.
• What are the economic implications of psychological research?

  Increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs.
• How does improved mental health affect workforce participation?

  It increases likelihood of staying employed.
• What were the researchers' aims in the colour study?

  To explore colour effects on mental processing.
• What is the purpose of the introduction section of a report?

  To provide background and state aims.
• What does validity refer to in research?

  Accuracy and meaningfulness of findings.
• What is one practical application of the colour study findings?

  Improving performance in educational settings.
• Why did researchers use independent judges to rate toys?

  To reduce bias and ensure objectivity.
• What is a benefit of a double-blind test in research?

  It reduces demand characteristics in results.
• What are the standardised instructions for participants in the experiment?

  • Present shapes to participants
  • Task suitable for ages 5-11
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • No interaction allowed
  • Independent judges will assess
  • Participants can withdraw anytime
• as a method, experiments allow one variable to be manipulated while keeping everything the same - show cause and effect
• lab experiments take place under controlled condition, such as in a university room supervised by the researcher
• advantage of lab experiments is that they increase the level of control that a researcher can have
• but lab experiments reduce the level of ecological validity of the research
• field experiments take place in a participants natural surroundings, such as their school or workplace
• advantage of field experiments is that they increase the ecological validity of the study by making the surroundings more realistic
• but field experiments reduce the level of control
• true experiments is any randomised experiment, they have control over the experimental groups used
• quasi experiments are not true experiments because they lack control over the experimental groups used
• example of quasi experiment include studies which compare people with a psychological disorder with a control group who do not
• quasi experiments could take place in a lab so can be controlled
• natural experiments are logically similar to true experiments, but the situation happens by itself and so is completely uncontrolled
• sometimes for ethical reasons it is not possible for an experimenter to control and manipulate variables so use natural experiment
• natural experiments are logically similar to true experiments in the sense that a variable happens, and the researcher tries to measure its effects
• in natural experiments, the researcher has no control over who is the experimental group
• natural experiments tale place in participants everyday surroundings such as home or school
• observational research uses just a few individuals to base research on
• in observational research scientists conduct a clinical or case study where they focus on one person or just a few individuals