Approaches to researching behaviour flashcards

Topic 4: Approaches to researching behaviour

True experiment vs quasi-experiment

True experiment: participants are randomly allocated to conditions of a manipulated IV, giving the strongest evidence of cause and effect. Quasi-experiment: the IV is a characteristic participants already have, such as age or gender, so random allocation is impossible.

Field experiment vs natural experiment

Field experiment: the researcher manipulates the IV in a natural setting. Natural experiment: the IV changes naturally, such as a policy change, and the researcher does not control it.

Independent samples vs repeated measures design

Independent samples: different people in each condition; no order effects, but participant variables differ. Repeated measures: the same people in every condition; controls participant variables, but practice and fatigue effects occur, reduced by counterbalancing.

Why does a correlation not prove causation?

A third variable may cause both, or the direction of the relationship may be the reverse of what is assumed.

Name the main qualitative research methods

Observation (naturalistic or controlled, participant or non-participant, overt or covert), interviews (structured, semi-structured or unstructured), focus groups and case studies.

Random vs opportunity sampling

Random: everyone in the target population has an equal chance of selection, which reduces bias but is hard to achieve. Opportunity: whoever is available, which is quick but may not be representative.

Purposive vs snowball sampling

Purposive: participants chosen for specific characteristics, common in qualitative research. Snowball: participants recruit others, useful for hard-to-reach groups.

What are the key ethical principles in psychological research?

Informed consent, protection from harm, confidentiality, the right to withdraw, debriefing after the study and avoiding unjustified deception. Children need parental consent as well as their own assent.

Internal validity vs external validity vs ecological validity

Internal: the IV really caused the change in the DV. External: the findings apply beyond the study to other people, settings and times. Ecological: the setting and task are realistic.

What are credibility, transferability and triangulation in qualitative research?

Credibility: the qualitative equivalent of validity. Transferability: the equivalent of generalisation. Triangulation: using several methods, researchers or data sources to strengthen credibility.

What is the internal assessment in IB Psychology?

A simple experimental study, usually carried out in a small group, but designed, analysed and written up individually. Students evaluate it and suggest modifications, and it is externally moderated. It is 25% at SL and 20% at HL.

What does Paper 3 assess?

Research methodology, HL only: three compulsory questions on an unseen study summary (1 hour, 24 marks, 20%). Question 1 has three 3-mark parts on method, sampling and an alternative method; Question 2 is on ethics (6 marks); Question 3 is on generalisation, credibility or bias (9 marks).