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The ecology department of a university are conducting research on the possibility of people living in underwater communities for extended periods of time - Scottish Highers Psychology - Question 1 - 2018
Question 1
The ecology department of a university are conducting research on the possibility of people living in underwater communities for extended periods of time. They have ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The ecology department of a university are conducting research on the possibility of people living in underwater communities for extended periods of time - Scottish Highers Psychology - Question 1 - 2018
Step 1
Describe three variables from the study described in the scenario above.
Answer
- Independent Variable: The restricted living space, which limits the personal space available to participants.
- Dependent Variable: The amount of anti-social behavior exhibited by the colony members, measured by the total counts of physical and verbal anti-social acts.
- Participant Characteristics: The demographic criteria of participants being 6 men and 6 women aged 18-50 years, which may influence their behavior in the confined living conditions.
Step 2
Analyse the researcher’s choice of sample in the scenario above.
Answer
The researcher uses a quota sample of 6 men and 6 women to ensure equality and gender balance in the study. This allows for comparisons between genders regarding anti-social behavior. However, there are limitations to this sampling technique:
- Sampling Bias: The small sample size may not be representative of the broader population, as it does not account for other demographic factors such as socio-economic status or personality traits, which may also influence behaviors.
- Generalizability: The results derived from this quota sample may be less generalizable due to the homogeneity of the participants. The chosen age range (18-50) also restricts the applicability of findings to older or younger individuals.
- Effectiveness: Quota sampling is useful for ensuring diversity within a limited scope, but it lacks the randomness that other sampling methods like stratified sampling could provide. This could introduce bias when interpreting results and applying them to the general population.
Step 3
Explain three ways in which data from the table given in the scenario above can be analysed.
Answer
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Descriptive Statistics: The data can be summarized by calculating the mean and median of anti-social acts for both males and females, providing a clear picture of behavioral trends.
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Comparative Analysis: By comparing the total physical and verbal anti-social acts between genders, the researcher can draw conclusions about the differences in behavior, potentially leading to further investigation.
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Correlational Analysis: Relationships between the independent variable (restricted living space) and the quantities of anti-social behavior can be assessed to establish patterns or correlations, helping to understand if increased confinement leads to higher instances of anti-social acts.