methodoligies

• the locations of research:

  1. lab
  2. field
  3. online
• laboratory location is the most scientific way to carry out research
• strengths of lab location:

  • control over extraneous variables
  • high reliability as it can be replicated
  • possible to use equipment eg. brain scan machines
• weakness of lab location:

  • lacks ecological validity
  • high chance of demand characteristics
• field location = the most natural way to investigate behaviour as research is carried out in a real life setting
• strengths of field location:

  • high ecological validity
  • less chance of demand characteristics
• weakness of field location:

  • difficult to replicate
  • difficult to use scientific equipment
• online location= behaviour is investigated through using websitesto access ppts and usually questionnaires
• strenghts of online location:

  • can access large and diverse groups
  • cost effective
• weakness of online location:

  • methods often limited to questionnaires
  • ethical issues such valid consent and dealing with psychological harm
• experiments = a research method where the IV is manipulated by a researcher to measure the effect on a DV
• the main features of an experiment:

  • manipulation of an operationalised IV
  • effect of changing the IV is measured on the DV
  • ppts in control and experiment group
  • aim is to establish cause and effect
  • conducted in lab or field
• strength of experiments:

  • higher internal validity to establish cause and effect
  • can often be repeated = high external reliability
• weakness of experiments:

  • lack internal validity as theres a high risk of demand characteristics
  • lack ecological validity as the researcher artifically manipulates the IV
• quasi experiment= research method where the IV is naturally changing and the DV is still measured
• the main components of quasi-experiments:

  • naturally changing IV
  • DV is measured
  • can involve a natural experiment or difference study
  • researcher has no control over allocating ppts
• strengths of quasi:

  • research a broader range of behaviours where it is impractical or unethical to manipulate the IV
  • high ecological validity
• weakness of quasi:

  • difficult to establish cause and effect as the researcher doesnt control the IV or extraneous variables
  • often difficult to establish external reliability as it cannot be repeated
• observations= one method for collecting research data. It involves watching a ppt and recording relevant behaviour for later analysis
• participant observation= researcher observes behaviour whilst part of the group eg. joining a cult
• non-participant behaviour= researcher is seperate from the group whilst observing their behaviour and does not interfere. Data is collected from a distance eg. video camera
• strengths of ppt observation:

  • can gain an in depth understanding and wont miss out on important aspects
  • access to behaviour and attitudes/feelings
• weakness of ppt observation:

  • greater chance of bias which lowers the internal validity
  • researcher may be overwhelmed with the amount of data and have difficulty recording it
• strengths of non-ppt observations:

  • researcher can e more objective which reduces the chance of bias and increases internal validity
  • more able to manage the amount of data and recording
• weakness of non- ppt observations:

  • may miss out on parts of behaviour eg. feelings and motivation
• controlled observation= conditions are manipulated by the researcher and may be carried out in a lab
• naturalistic observation= watching natural behaviour in a natural behaviour with no manipulation of variables
• overt observation= ppts are aware they are being observed and the researcher is clearly visible to ppts
• covert observation= observations are conducted without the knowledge of the ppts through hidden observer, secret cameras or two way mirror
• event sampling = counting a number of times a behaviour occurs across the whole event with no set time period
• time sampling = counting behaviours in a set time frame
• designing observations:

  • decide what behaviour is being observed
  • decide on location and time length
  • covert or overt and ppt or non ppt
  • produce behavioual categories
  • decide on time
  • how to record
• content analysis= indirect observation of an artefact. This usually involves turning qualitative into quantitative by identifying themes
• main features of content analysis:

  • indirect observation of an artefact
  • involves identifying categories or themes
  • turns qualitative to quantitative data
  • can also produce qualitative data
  • artefacts are usually sampled through opportunity
• designing content analysis:

  • create an aim
  • read/ view video
  • identify themes
  • re read or watch and tally each time they appear
  • present quantitative data in a graph
  • or describe the categories
• strengths of content analysis:

  • high ecological validity
  • easy to assess to reliability of the findings and conclusions
• weakness of content analysis:

  • potential research bias
  • hard to establish cause and effect and it only describes data
• self report methods = questionnaires and interviews
• types of question= open or closed
• open questions gain qualitative data