Research Methods in Psychology

Research Methods in Psychology

A) Explain 1 disadvantage of using an interview to collect these data.

A full picture of attachment can hardly be gained as the mothers were being asked questions about their children’s behaviour, and they are not very objective. It would have been more reliable if the investigators simply observed the children’s behaviour.

B) Write one question that the psychologist could ask that would generate qualitative data.

Would you describe your child as securely attached?

C) Explain one strength of qualitative data.

It takes the point of view of the participant in consideration and their responses aren’t restricted in advance by the point of view of the researcher.

D) Explain how variations in aggressive behaviour of toddlers could be categorised for this observation.

There could be several categories including: Aggressive behaviour, and Normal behaviour to start with. There could be an introduction of several subcategories in Aggressive behaviour, such as Insecurely aggressive, or anxiously aggressive.

E) Explain one ethical issue relevant to observational studies of young children.

Young children cannot give informed consent due to their inability to understand complex situations.

Explain how the researcher could deal with this ethical issue.

The researcher could ask the mother or other primary caregiver to provide informed consent. It may be argued that this isn’t the subject’s consent, but it is the closest thing available, and without certain presumptions taken by psychologists we would never learn anything. Therefore, for the greater good, consent given by the primary caregiver will have to do.