2.2.4 Studies (non experimental) Flashcards
What is a case study?
In depth study over time of a real life case (individual or small group)
What can case studies give you insight into?
Extreme behaviours
What are sources of info a psychologist can draw upon when studying a case study?
Interviews (with subjects, teachers, family)
Medical/school records
Tests - attitudes, intelligence, personality
Diaries
Observations
What is a strength of case studies using real life examples?
High in ecological validity
What are case studies beneficial for?
Experimenting cases you can’t create as a researcher (ethical)
What are some ethical issues of case studies?
Using people
Making them recall memories
what is another issue of case studies regarding sample size?
can’t generalise - not everyone is the same
one person sample
what is a longitudinal study?
an on going study over an extended period of time.
allows to see development over time.
what is a cross sectional study?
participants from different age groups are investigated at one particular point in time
what are strengths of longitudinal studies
great amounts of detail
high levels of control
what are weaknesses of longitudinal studies?
long amounts of time (expenses)
high drop out rates - invasion of privacy
what are strengths of cross sectional studies?
not time consuming - quicker
comparison over a range of age groups
what are weaknesses of cross sectional studies?
lack of control over extraneous variables - people from many different backgrounds
study groups - lacks individual detail
