PSYC 3650 - EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
data collection techniques - Answers - operational definition: makes abstract concept
concrete and measurable
naturalistic observation - Answers - helps observe natural behavior without being
intrusive
cons: hard to be unobtrusive, time consuming and resource intensive
-highest level of external validity
surveys and questionnaires - Answers - used to measure mood, attitude and frequency
of behaviors
cons: not always correct representation of behavior due to social desirability bias
closed ended surveys/questionnaires - Answers - use of response scale/category as
well as limited and quantitative response
open ended surveys/questionnaires - Answers - liberty of participants to answer,
qualitative response, requires coding scheme
interviews - Answers - oral response, coding scheme to understand behavior which
creates a flexible way to ask questions and answers are detailed
cons: way of questioning affects response
focus group interviews - Answers - interviews in groups that uses fewer resources
cons: less/more talkative group members that, conformity of responses
systematic observation - Answers - participants know they are being observed and
behaviors least affected by measurement process is being studied
-highest level of internal validity
high internal validity - Answers - extent to which observed results from a study are valid
low external validity - Answers - extent to which observed results from a study can be
applied to the population
using archival data - Answers - existing data collected periodically by agencies which
leaves no control over circumstances, measures, coding and sampling technique
content analysis - Answers - analysis of something said or written which leaves no
interaction between participant and researcher, but is resource intensive and time
consuming
data collection techniques - Answers - operational definition: makes abstract concept
concrete and measurable
naturalistic observation - Answers - helps observe natural behavior without being
intrusive
cons: hard to be unobtrusive, time consuming and resource intensive
-highest level of external validity
surveys and questionnaires - Answers - used to measure mood, attitude and frequency
of behaviors
cons: not always correct representation of behavior due to social desirability bias
closed ended surveys/questionnaires - Answers - use of response scale/category as
well as limited and quantitative response
open ended surveys/questionnaires - Answers - liberty of participants to answer,
qualitative response, requires coding scheme
interviews - Answers - oral response, coding scheme to understand behavior which
creates a flexible way to ask questions and answers are detailed
cons: way of questioning affects response
focus group interviews - Answers - interviews in groups that uses fewer resources
cons: less/more talkative group members that, conformity of responses
systematic observation - Answers - participants know they are being observed and
behaviors least affected by measurement process is being studied
-highest level of internal validity
high internal validity - Answers - extent to which observed results from a study are valid
low external validity - Answers - extent to which observed results from a study can be
applied to the population
using archival data - Answers - existing data collected periodically by agencies which
leaves no control over circumstances, measures, coding and sampling technique
content analysis - Answers - analysis of something said or written which leaves no
interaction between participant and researcher, but is resource intensive and time
consuming
