Research Methods Chapter 11 Pages

Research Methods How can we measure attitudes and behaviours? 1.Observation 2.Self report methods 3.Correlational studies

MethodDescriptionAdvantageslimitations ObservationObserving behaviour and making a judgement about attitudes based on visible actions Genuine behaviours can reveal underlying attitudes Behaviour may be deliberate to give a fake attitude. Behaviour doesn’t necessarily reflect attitude. Self report: InterviewParticipants supply responses verbally either face o face or by phone Self report: questionnaires Participants supply responses by answering a number of questions/ statements which should elicit a response. Self report: fixed response items Items on a questionnaire that are closed ended. There is a number of possible alternative answers that have been given to you. (Quantitative data) Self report: free response items Items on the questionnaire that are open ended. Answers are expressed in the participants own words (qualitative data) Self report: likert type rating scale A set of statements with a numerical rating scale to indicate strength of agreement. Strongly agree to strongly disagree. correlationalWhere two or more variables are measured to see what type of relationship, if any, exists between them.

Correlational studies. Data gathered from a correlational study can be placed on a graph called a scatter plot. Contributing Variable: the variable that can be responsible for the change in another variable.

Direction and Strength of Correlation Direction can be positive, negative or no correlation Positive correlation Negative correlation No correlation

Direction and Strength of Correlation Strength can be weak or strong. It refers to how closely the two variables are associated. The closer the two variables (dots) the stronger the relationship. Which scatter plot is weak, strong, positive, negative?

Correlation Coefficient. The correlation coefficient is a statistic that describes the direction and strength of a correlation in one number. It can range from +1.0 through to -1.0 PositiveNoneNegative perfectstrongweak strongperfect

Lets complete as a class and discuss activity 11.8 on page

The extent to which ethical principles are applied to investigating attitudes and behaviours. Animals in research

Is it ethical to use animals in research? why? or why not?  *

Can animals... Volunteer? Provide informed consent? Exercise withdrawal rights? Humans therefore have the responsibility to treat their animal subject with care and sensitivity Scientist must balance the potential for harming the animals with the possible benefits to society.

Advantages of using animals. 1.Many animals can be bred in large numbers and quickly. 2.They have shorter life spans so observing development is easier. 3.Their breeding can be manipulated to inform us about genetics. 4.Behaviour can be controlled 5.Demand characteristics are eliminated 6.They can be euthanised after the research if their quality of life is impaired 

Homework. Finish off table comparing the different ways of measuring attitudes. List the advantages and limitations.. Activity pick 3 dot points 11.8 pick 4 dot points