Three short films highlighting the importance of the methodological processes underpinning the production of statistical data.
In this film we combine three of our standalone films to go “Behind the Statistics” to look at the various factors – from sampling techniques, through ideas about correlation and causation to experimental design – that can influence the reliability and validity of statistical data.
- Sampling is crucial in psychology but can be difficult to understand. This film offers a helping hand with a series of visual images that take students through target population, samples, representativeness and generalisability. It then looks at how sampling is done, illustrating differences between probability and non-probability sampling, why different techniques are used and their strengths and limitations. The final part looks at how this knowledge can be used to help evaluate any study based on sampling.
- Correlations are relationships and this film begins by illustrating how the strength and direction of those relationships is measured. It then uses real research studies to illustrate the uses of correlations, their limitations and how easily correlation data can be misused.
- Experimental Design provides practical illustrations of the strengths and limitations of repeated measures, independent measures and matched pairs experimental designs. We then look at three classic experimental studies in psychology, the Stroop Effect, Loftus’ eyewitness testimony experiments and Bandura’s bobo doll experiments to show why a particular experimental design was used in each case.