Research methods

• Experimental methods:

  • Laboratory
  • Field
  • Natural
  • Quasi
• Laboratory experiment - tightly controlled conditions; controls extraneous variables; standardised; usually done in a lab
• Field experiment - natural environment; experimenter controls some of the extraneous variables
• Natural experiment - occurs naturally; experimenter has no control over independent variables or extraneous variables
• Quasi experiment - an umbrella term for any experiment not completely controlled; experimenter has no control over independent variables or extraneous variables
• Naturalistic observation - takes place in participant's natural environment
• Controlled observation - in a controlled environment; allows control over variables
• Structured observation - gathering quantitative data using a pre-written collection grid or coding sheet
• Unstructured observation - gathering data with no predetermined plan
• Non-participant observation - psychologist only observes and doesn't participate
• Participant observation - psychologist joins in with behaviour of group
• Overt - participants know they are being observed / studied
• Covert - participants don't know they're being observed / studied
• Surveys and questionnaires - involve participants giving information to researchers; use a combination of open and closed questions; use a large representative sample
• Open questions - allow respondents to answer in their own words
• Closed questions - respondents choose from a limited number of fixed responses
• Interviews - more natural and flexible approach; can ask open or closed questions; 3 types:

  • Structured
  • Unstructured
  • Semi-structured
• Structured interview - pre-written questions that follow a set format
• Unstructured interview - conversation on a number of topics the interviewer wants to explore using open questions
• Semi-structured interview - explores some themes and has some set questions but the interviewer may explore further
• Correlations - measure the relationship between 2 co-variables
• Co-variables move in the same direction

  A) Positive correlation

  
• Co-variables move in opposite directions

  A) Negative correlation

  
• Correlation coefficients - show the strength and direction of the correlation; -1 = strong negative correlation; +1 = strong positive correlation
• Thematic analysis - starts with a research hypothesis; data collected through interviewing participants using open ended questions; detailed transcripts made of the interview; researcher familiarises themself with the notes and identifies common themes
• Content analysis - takes thematic analysis a step further by quantifying the data; researcher goes through the data several times; they identify any relevant categories / coding units; they tally the frequency of each coding unit; provides categorical (nominal) data that can be put in graphs and statistically analysed
• Case studies- an in-depth investigation of 1 person or a small group; investigate naturally occurring events; can be longitudinal or retrospective; researcher gathers a range of information to form a case history; researcher uses a number of methods to gather information
• Aim - a broad statement based on what is going to be investigated in the study
• Hypothesis - a precise, testable statement the researcher predicts will be the outcome of the study
• Alternative hypothesis - what the researcher thinks will happen to the dependent variable when the independent variable changes (directional or non-directional)
• Directional hypothesis - states the direction of the predicted difference between 2 conditions or groups
• Non-directional hypothesis - predicts there will be a difference between 2 conditions or groups, without stating a direction
• Null hypothesis - states the independent variable has no effect on the dependent variable and any observed differences will be due to chance
• Target population - the group researchers want to draw a sample from and wants to generalise the findings to
• 5 types of sampling:

  • Random
  • Opportunity
  • Volunteer
  • Systematic
  • Stratified
• Random sampling - having a list or register of the entire population and choosing names at random eg. picking names from a hat
• Opportunity sampling - asking people on the street and recruiting anyone willing to do it
• Volunteer sampling - advertising a study through either physical media or social media and having people come forward
• Systematic sampling - having a list or register of the entire population and choosing every nth person
• Stratified sampling - sample size is proportionate to the target population