1. AS Research Methods - REVISION

2. Methods and Techniques Pilot Studies – used why? Experimental Method –THREE types of experiment? –S&W of each? Correlational analysis –Used to investigate RELATIONSHIPS –Evaluation = Ethical way to investigate controversial aspects but cannot apply C______ and E________

3. Methods and Techniques Self report methods x 2 –Two types? –Open vs Closed Questions –Advantages and disadvantages of one method over the other? –General evaluation? Case Studies –Describe? –Evaluate?

4. Methods and Techniques Observational Methods –Observe a situation and record behaviour –Different types (evaluate each – makes it easy!) N___________ vs C______________ O___________ vs C______________ P___________ vs N______________ S___________ vs U______________ Must know how to use BEHAVIOURAL CATEGORIES. Be prepared to ESTABLISH these for a stimulus

5. Behavioural Categories A researcher wanted to study the impact of day care on aggression. In order to do this, he observed children during break time. Explain two behavioural categories the psychologist could use during this study

6. Investigative Design Aim Hypotheses –Experimental –Null –Directional vs Non Directional –Make sure you fully operationalise – mention all conditions and how the IV and DV are defined –Note the difference between hypotheses for experiments (tests of difference) and correlations (tests of relationships)

7. Investigative Design Independent Variable is... Dependent Variable is... Extraneous Variables are... –FOUR general categories... –Make sure you know how to control extraneous variables Situational variables controlled with ST__________ Participant variables controlled by using a M______ P_______ design which is... Demand characteristics controlled by using controlled using a S_______ B_______ technique Investigator effects controlled using a D_______ B________ technique

8. Investigative Design Reliability and Validity –These refer to... –How do we measure / assess each (think A2)? –Different types of Validity? –How do we improve R&V?

9. Investigative Design Experimental design –Refers to... –THREE types –S&W of each? –How can we deal with the weaknesses of each? Use another experimental design! Also counterbalancing, single blind (RM)...

10. Investigative Design SAMPLING METHODS (selecting participants from the target population) –RANDOM –OPPORTUNITY –VOLUNTEER –S&W of each Be prepared to be given a stimulus and be asked what method is being used OR how participants could be selected

11. SAMPLING A researcher needs to recruit students for a study into memory. –Explain how the researcher could use random sampling to select his participants A researcher wants to test the effectiveness of a new revision strategy for A level students. For this study she uses a volunteer sample –Explain how the researcher could obtain her sample

12. Investigative Design Ethical Guidelines –Mnemonic? Ethical Issues and how to overcome these –Deception can be overcome with a full D________, which involves... –Lack of informed consent can be overcome by gaining P_______ G________ or P_________ consent or seeking consent from parents if children are being used. –Protection of participants – if this becomes an issue the researcher must...

13. Data Analysis Quantitative Data vs Qualitative Data –Come on... –S&W of each –Be prepared to write questions which generate both types of data Graphs –Bar Chart, Histogram – difference? –Scattergram – Positive and negative correlations (be specific), correlation coefficients

14. Data Analysis Statistical Analysis –Measures of Central Tendency x3 S&W –Measures of Dispersion x2 S&W

15. Data Analysis Analysis of qualitative data –THEMATIC analysis Simply transcribing the data and ‘going through it’ to identify common, recurrent themes –CONTENT analysis Behavioural categories / Coding Units Coding (e.g. Tally). This is then used to draw conclusions by allowing the identification of common themes Main advantage is that it... May be problems with reliability unless coding units are CLEARLY OPERATIONALISED Coding units and analysis may be influenced by INVESTIGATOR BIAS But it does allow for rigorous statistical analysis of qualitative data