G544 – Practical project
SELF REPORT
Revision
Socrative quiz
In pairs – answer each question.
We will then discuss each answer given
Section A
You will be given sample material
You then design a suitable project that fulfils the requirements
Sufficiently detailed
Valid (to enable someone to go ahead and run the project)
Putting your knowledge into practice
Range of techniques (Self report, experiment, correlation or observation)
Today we will focus on self report
If the material provided requires a self report technique then you do not
need to operationalise a hypothesis
You would need to provide details on of the questionnaire you would
construct
Qualitative data
Quantitative data
Open/close questions
Use of rating scales
Selection of research question
Description and justification of the design
Independent samples, repeated measures, matched pairs
Populations
Using tests that generate nominal or ordinal data
Materials
Procedure (keeping in mind the research question) (next lesson)
Advantages/limitations of using self report in your practical project
Validity and reliability of measurements
Strength/weaknesses – using open and closed questions
How can leading questions influence results
Ethics of the procedure (i.e. How would you ensure that it does not cause distress?)
(improvement) Alternative designs/sample methods (i.e. suggest a more appropriate sampling
method)
Possible future research
TIPS
Do not give general answers
Always provide context
All questions require explanations/justification
Group work (word document – practice question)
Peer mark – swap answers
– relate it to the project
Homework
Practice questions (Section A) – scenario (not procedure)
Procedure Writing
Recap Section A (Q&A)
After you have constructed a research question – we move on to:
Procedure writing
13 marks – Replicable and appropriate (including all relevant details)
6 marks –Quality of design and feasibility (fit for purpose?)
Back to AS – how to write out a procedure.
Pairs/groups discuss:
What are the steps?
What do you have to keep in mind throughout?
Standardised procedure
Standardised instructions
Extraneous variables: demand characteristics, social desirability,
researcher bias, environmental
Easy to repeat, replicate
Decide sampling method (who, where, why)
Anonymous?
Explain process (how will you recruit)
Explain construction of questionnaire
Provide examples of questions
Open/closed and why?
Scale – 1-5? Where 1 is…..
How would the respond? Circle? Write out answers to open questions?
Distribution of questionnaire (+ informed consent)
Demand characteristics (I.e. ask lots of different questions)
How? Paper? Email?
Participants respond (data collection)
Deadline
Once they respond – collate data
Data from closed statements – how would you analyse?
Data from open statements – how would you analyse?
Debrief
Practice!
From last lesson – back in groups/pairs.
A researcher wants to investigate stress levels. There are a number of possible of
possible sources of stress in people’s lives. One way to find out more about one of
these sources of stress and its effects is to ask people to fill out a questionnaire. In this
way they can respond in some detail about this aspect of their lives as a potential
stressor.
In the exam you will have different options to choose from. For the purpose of this
exercise we are going to use Job-related stress.
Describe the method you would use to conduct your practical project (13+6 marks)
Swap answers
Provide feedback (ideas and advice)
Use the procedure writing checklist to ensure everything has been
included
Homework
Exam practice – Complete a whole section A question
Section B – Research methods and
issues
G544 – choice of 2 questions
1.
Focused on approaches and perspectives
2.
Focused on research methods and methodological issues
In pairs:
Make a list of research methods
Make a list of issues
Research methods
Issues
Lab experiment
Ecological Validity
Field experiment
Ethics
Observation
Reliability and validity
Self-report
Snapshot & longitudinal
Correlation
Qualitative and quantitative
Case Study
Usefulness
Section B
One 5-part question – 40 marks
5 parts will relate primarily to one research method and one issue (a,b,c,e)
(d)- compare two different research methods
(e)- will link with an issue
(a) & (b) require factual knowledge
(c) – (e) require evaluative points
In pairs – complete table (comparing self report to other methods)
Jan 2011
a)
Briefly outline what is meant by qualitative and quantitative data (4 marks)
b)
Describe two pieces of experimental research that collect quantitative data (4 marks)
c)
Discuss the strengths and limitations of conducting experimental research which
produces quantitative data. Use examples of psychological research to support your
answer. (12 marks)
d)
Compare the experimental method with the self-report method. Use examples of
psychological research to support your answer. (8 marks)
e)
Discuss the usefulness of psychological research that collects qualitative data. (8 marks)
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