Case Studies, Types Of Data, Longitudinal And Cross-sectional Studies

Question 1

What is Quantitative data

Answer 1

Is numerical (quantity or something)

Question 2

What is qualitative data

Answer 2

Language or descriptions (it cannot be counted or quantified)

Question 3

What is primary data (2)

Answer 3

Info/sources/data that is directly collected by the researcher first-hand, e.g, they collect the data through a questionnaire, experiment, interviews etc for their research

Question 4

What is secondary data (2)

Answer 4

• info/sources/data that have not been directly collected/created by the researcher
• e.g. use of methods such as content analysis of existing data, or literature reviews

Question 5

What type of data did: Watson and Raynor collect

Answer 5

Primary qualitative

Question 6

What type of data did: Loftus and Palmer collect

Answer 6

Primary quantitative

Question 7

What type of data did: Myers and Diener collect

Answer 7

Secondary qualitative

Question 8

What type of data did: Raine et al collect

Answer 8

Primary qualitative

Question 9

What is the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative data

Answer 9

:)
- easier to analyse using descriptive statistics or inferential statistical

:(
- provides limited data that might miss important factors because they aren’t observed (e.g. why someone guessed a speed in Loftus and Palmer)

Question 10

What is the strengths and weaknesses of Qualitative data

Answer 10

:)
- produces rich and detailed information (insights into thoughts and behaviour)

:(
- Not easy to analyse and compare

Question 11

What is the strengths and weaknesses of Primary data

Answer 11

:)
- The researcher can control the data
- the data can be designed so it fits the hypothesis and aims of study

:(
- can be time consuming and expensive to collect

Question 12

What is the strengths and weaknesses of Secondary data

Answer 12

:)
- it is simpler to collect data already there (less time and equipment is needed)

:(
- Cannot be sure the researcher did what they said they did (i.e. poor control)

Question 13

What is a longitudinal study

Answer 13

Carried out over a long period of time on the same participant(s)
—> to identify changes

Question 14

What is a cross-sectional study

Answer 14

Carried out at one point in time on various ages of participants
—> to identify differences

Question 15

What is participant variables

Answer 15

Any characteristics or aspect of a participant’s background that could affect study results

Question 16

What is attrition

Answer 16

Loss of participants over time

Question 17

What is cohort effect

Answer 17

• the effect that having been norm in a certain time, region, period or having experienced the same life experiences (in the same periods) has on the development or perceptions of a particular group
• These are unique to the group in question

Question 18

What is demand characteristics

Answer 18

A cue that makes participants unconsciously aware of the aims of the study or helps participants work out what the researcher expects to find

Question 19

What is the strengths and weaknesses of a longitudinal study

Answer 19

:)
- no participant variables

:)
- subject to attrition
- cohort-effect
- demand characteristics

Question 20

What is the strengths and weaknesses of a cross-sectional study

Answer 20

:)
- less subject to attrition
- less cohort effects
- less demand characteristics

:(
- participant variables

Question 21

For an exam question: ‘Outline 1 strength of using the cross-sectional method instead of a longitudinal method in this study [3]’ How would you get 3 marks

Answer 21

[1] less subject to attrition
[2] Make it relevant to the Qs context, explaining why it’s less subject to attrition
[3] whereas if it were longitudinal, ______ (making it relevant to Qs context, explaining why it would be ineffective as a longitudinal)

Question 22

Why is a case study a non-experimental technique

Answer 22

Because it has no IV and DV

Question 23

Define a case study

Answer 23

• An in-depth investigation of a single individual, small group, event, organisation or community
• may be for a short period of time or over many years (longitudinal)
• uses info from a range of sources

Question 24

What is a psychometric Test

Answer 24

A type of questionnaire which specifically measures some aspects of personality or ability, e.g. An IQ test or an assessment of personality type

Question 25

What is the strengths of a case study

Answer 25

• gathers a lot of rich in depth data (important because info that may have been overlooked if using other methods can be identified)
• they have high internal validity
• they acknowledge the complex interaction of many factors
• they can sometimes be the only suitable method that is possible and ethical for unique areas

Question 26

What is the weaknessess of a case study

Answer 26

• they can be difficult or impossible to replicate
• there’s a lack of control and reliability
• they can’t establish causal relationships
• they can be unreliable, unethical, expensive
• Methods used can be very subjective because it’s only the researcher that’s interpreting it
• they have low reliability