Assignment 1 - The Need For Speed

OK, so here are some hints for assignment 1.  I’ve tried to include as many as possible of the problems you encountered during the workshops, so that all three groups  can share each other’s problems.

You can find everything you need in the research methods section of the class booklet.  You should by now have read all of the section, including the tables about non-experimental methods and ethics.  If you haven’t, then get a move on.  Turn off the telly, make yourself comfortable and get reading!

First, the assignment itself is really in three parts.  Questions 1 – 8, 9 – 21 and 22 – 26.  Each part deals with a particular type of research method:  Experiment,  correlation and the others – but not necessarily in that order.  Remember that the experiment is a specific research method, as is the used of correlation.  Also mentioned are case study, unstructured interview and questionnaire survey. 

 

Correlation is a method which looks for a relationship between two variables.  The graph involved is a scattergram.   (Whoops! I wasn’t supposed to give that away!)

The experiment section also asks for a graph.  Look in the booklet.  The two bar chart of means is the preferred and most appropriate here.  Keep it simple.  Make sure that all the axes are labelled properly.

Some of the questions need simple one line answers.  However, several give scope for discussion and evaluation.  And in most cases, it’s a good idea to say why you arrive at a particular answer.  

Make sure that you look up experimental design before you do questions 15 and 16.

Questions 17 and 18 should be taken together.  For each extraneous variable that you deal with,  you should say why it is an EV, what would be the effect on the results if it was not controlled and for question 18, how was it controlled.  (Or how you would control it if it was not mentioned in the assignment brief.)

 

Well, by now you should be needing some sustenance.  Coffee OK?  Or perhaps something a bit stronger?

Many of you asked about demand characteristics.  They are a problem in research, particularly in survey questionnaires and also in experiments.  Basically, if a participant knows the aim of the experiment or survey, then there is a tendency to behave in the way the participant thinks the experimenter wishes, so that the experiment is not perceived by the participant to be a failure.  Similarly, participants will often give a questionnaire answer which they believe the experimenter wants, rather than their true attitude or belief.  How might5 this be a problem?  And how can it be overcome – if at all?

Finally – handing it all in.  As I said, please give it to me personally, and get it date stamped.  Otherwise, hand it to reception and get a receipt.   I would love to make this year the year when I don’t lose any assignments!

And finally finally.  Give yourself a pat on the back for completing  your first psychology assignment! 

 

This is you when you've done the assignment.

Unless you're one of the blokes. In which case I'll find a suitable picture for a later post.