Research Methods

• What is at the heart of ethical issues in psychology?

  Conflict between rights and results
• What needs to be protected at all times regarding research participants?

  Well-being
• What information should participants be given at the start of a study regarding informed consent?

  Purpose of the study
• What right should participants be informed of at the start of a study?

  Right to withdraw
• If the researcher doesn’t reveal the aim at the start, when must participants be informed?

  At the end
• Should participants be lied to or misled about the study aims?

  No, they should not
• When is mild deception justifiable?

  Mild deception is justifiable
• When is major deception permitted?

  If the benefits justify the action
• What should participants be reminded about their participation?

  They can leave at any time
• What right do participants have regarding their personal information?

  Right to control information
• Is it acceptable to make observations of people in public places?

  Yes, but it is also quite private
• What should be protected and respected regarding personal data?

  Confidentiality
• What is the BPS guidelines?

  A code of conduct for psychologists
• Why does the BPS have guidelines?

  To deal with ethical issues
• How do participants (or guardians) demonstrate informed consent?

  By signing a consent form
• What is retrospective consent?

  Consent after the study
• What should participants be given at the end of an investigation to deal with deception and harm?

  A full debriefing
• What two things should participants be offered after a study involving deception or potential harm?

  Counselling and withdrawal of data
• How should anonymity be ensured to deal with privacy and confidentiality?

  Referred to by number or initials
• What is an interview in research terms?

  Face-to-face, real-time contact
• Can interviews take place over the phone or via text?

  Yes, they can
• What does a structured interview involve?

  Prepared questions read out
• What does an unstructured interview involve?

  Few questions are prepared
• What is an unstructured interview like?

  A conversation
• What does a semi-structured interview involve?

  Some questions are decided in advance
• Where do follow-up questions emerge from in semi-structured interviews?

  From the answers
• What factor should lead to a change in the dependent variable to establish cause and effect?

  The independent variable
• In research, how should all participants be represented to maintain anonymity?

  By a number or initials
• What kind of contact characterizes face-to-face interviews?

  Real-time contact
• Besides face-to-face, what are other ways an interview can take place?

  Over the phone or via text
• What does the interviewer read out in structured interviews?

  A list of prepared questions
• In structured interviews, what kind of follow-up questions are allowed?


  Prepared beforehand
• What is the defining characteristic of unstructured interviews in terms of question preparation?

  Few if any questions are prepared
• How are new questions generated during unstructured interviews?

  Based on what the interviewee said
• What is an unstructured interview most like?

  A conversation
• In semi-structured interviews, are some questions decided in advance?

  Yes
• In semi-structured interviews, where do follow-up questions come from?

  From the answers
• What are the strengths of using interviews in research?

  • Produce a lot of information, especially unstructured interviews
  • Unexpected results may occur
  • Insight into a person’s thoughts and feelings
  • Provides a different perspective from observations
• What are the weaknesses of using interviews in research?

  • Data can be difficult to analyze
  • Breadth of information makes it hard to draw clear conclusions
  • People may feel less comfortable giving personal information face-to-face, especially on sensitive topics
  • May limit the amount of information collected
• What is a questionnaire?

  A prepared list of written questions