Descriptive
Research Methods in Psychology
3.1 An Introduction to Research Methods
YOU NEED TO:
CHAPTER 3
describe and evaluate these research methods:
experiments (laboratory, field and natural) self-reports (including questionnaires and interviews) observations (naturalistic observation and using behavioural categories) correlations case studies
experimental designs (repeated measures, independent groups and matched pairs) ethical issues and BPS guidelines
Analyse data, including:
quantitative data measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) measures of dispersion (range and standard deviation) tables graphs scattergrams (positive and negative correlations) correlation coefficients qualitative data content analysis
design studies using experiments, self-reports and observations, and understand and use:
aims and hypotheses (directional and non-directional) operationalisation of variables (including independent and dependent variables) pilot studies control of extraneous variables reliability and validity sampling techniques (including random, opportunity and volunteer) demand characteristics and investigator effects
Exploring Psychology Study and Revision Guide for AS Level AQA A. Proof Copy. (c) Oxford University Press 2010
CHAPTER 3 Research Methods in Psychology 37
3.2 Qualitative and Quantitative Data and Content Analysis
Types of data
Quantitative data are numerical, like scores on a task or totals collected from experiments, correlations, questionnaires or observations using behavioural categories. Content analyses can also collect quantitative data. These data can be interpreted fairly easily with averages, measures of dispersion and graphs (pages 52–53) and are typically objective. Qualitative data are descriptive, e.g. answers to open questions from self-reports (page 41) and detailed findings from observations and content analyses. They are harder to analyse as you need to look for
3.1 An Introduction to Research Methods
YOU NEED TO:
CHAPTER 3
describe and evaluate these research methods:
experiments (laboratory, field and natural) self-reports (including questionnaires and interviews) observations (naturalistic observation and using behavioural categories) correlations case studies
experimental designs (repeated measures, independent groups and matched pairs) ethical issues and BPS guidelines
Analyse data, including:
quantitative data measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) measures of dispersion (range and standard deviation) tables graphs scattergrams (positive and negative correlations) correlation coefficients qualitative data content analysis
design studies using experiments, self-reports and observations, and understand and use:
aims and hypotheses (directional and non-directional) operationalisation of variables (including independent and dependent variables) pilot studies control of extraneous variables reliability and validity sampling techniques (including random, opportunity and volunteer) demand characteristics and investigator effects
Exploring Psychology Study and Revision Guide for AS Level AQA A. Proof Copy. (c) Oxford University Press 2010
CHAPTER 3 Research Methods in Psychology 37
3.2 Qualitative and Quantitative Data and Content Analysis
Types of data
Quantitative data are numerical, like scores on a task or totals collected from experiments, correlations, questionnaires or observations using behavioural categories. Content analyses can also collect quantitative data. These data can be interpreted fairly easily with averages, measures of dispersion and graphs (pages 52–53) and are typically objective. Qualitative data are descriptive, e.g. answers to open questions from self-reports (page 41) and detailed findings from observations and content analyses. They are harder to analyse as you need to look for