Research Methods

• Self-report techniques


  Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviors and experiences related to a given topic.

  
• Questionnaire


  A set of written questions (sometimes called items) used to access a persons' thoughts/experiences

  
• Strengths of questionnaires

  + Cost effective+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly+ Can be completed without the researcher being present
• Weaknesses of questionnaires

  - Can produce response bias- P.ps may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
• Open Questions


  Questions with no fixed answer/response and respondents can answer in any way they wish.

  
• Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question

  + Get more information+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them- Harder to analyse
• Closed Question


  Questions with a fixed answer/ the choice of response is determined by the question setter.

  
• Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question

  + People have to same perception of the Q&A+ Quick and easy to answer+ Quantitative data is easier to analyse- Not detailed or in depth answers- Don't find out the meaning behind the answer
• Interview


  A live encounter (face to face or on the phone) where one person asks a set of questions to assess an interviewees thoughts/experiences. They can be structured, semi structured or unstructured.

  
• Structured Interview


  Made up of pre-determined questions and are asked in a fixed order. Basically like a questionnaire but conducted face to face.
• Unstructured Interview


  Works like a conversation. There are no set questions. There is a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free flowing.
• Semi-structured Interview


  There is a list of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up questions when they feel it is appropriate.
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Structured Interview

  + Straight forward to replicate+ Reduces differences between interviews+ Easier to analyse+ Get answers you're looking for- Get less information as P.ps can't deviate from the point- Don't find out people's worldwide views
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Unstructured Interview

  + Can get more detailed answers as people can elaborate+ More flexible as you can gain insight- Not easy to replicate - Not easy to analyse as you get irrelevant information - Experimenter effects can occur
• Leading Questions


  Encourages P.ps to give a particular answer e.g don't you think...?
• Ambiguity


  Questions which can be interpreted in various ways. They can mean different things to different people.
• Loaded Questions


  They are questions which contain emotive language which is likely to produce an emotional reaction in the respondent.
• Double-barreled Questions


  They contain two options within a single question.
• Aim


  A general statement that the researcher intends to investigate.

  
• Hypothesis


  A detailed statement which is clear, precise and testable that states the relationship between variables being tested.

  
• Directional Hypothesis


  The researcher makes it clear what difference is anticipated between the 2 conditions or groups. (One tailed).
• Non-directional Hypothesis


  Simply states that there is a difference but not what the difference will be.

  
• Null Hypothesis


  There will be no relationship between the 2 variables.
• Meta-analysis


  A particular form of research method that uses secondary data. Data from a large number of studies which have involved the same research question and method are combined.
• Quantitative Data


  Data that focuses on numbers and frequencies which can be counted. e.g. experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests.

  
• Qualitative Data


  Data that describes meaning and experiences which is expresses in words e.g. case studies, interviews and observations.
• Primary Data


  Information that has been obtained first hand by the researcher. It is also known as field research.
• Secondary Data


  Information that has already been collected by previous researchers. It is also known as 'desk research' and can be found in journal articles, books or websites.I
• BPS

  British Psychological Society
• Informed Consent


  Participants should be told what they are letting themselves in for. Only then they are in a position to give informed consent. If under 16 consent must be obtained from their parents.
• Deception


  Information is withheld from participants: they misled about the purpose of the study and what will happen during it.

  
• Right to Withdraw


  Participants should be told this at the start of the research. No attempt should be made to encourage them to remain.
• Protection from harm


  Participants should not be put through anything they wouldn't normally be expected to.

  
• Competence


  Psychologists must not attempt to carry out research unless they are qualified to do so.

  
• Debrief


  Researchers should discuss the aims of the research with the p.ps making sure they know how they've contributed to meeting the aims

  
• Variable


  Any "thing" that can vary or change with in an investigation. They are generally in experiments to determine if changes in one result in changes to another.
• Independent Variable - IV


  An aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally so the effect on the DV can be measured.

  
• Dependent Variable - DV


  The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any result/change on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV.

  
• Operationalising Variables


  The process of devising a way of measuring a variable. It is a clear statement of what the variable is.
• Lab Experiment

  An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV while maintaining strict control of extraneous variables.