Chap 13: Descriptive research Strategy

Question 1

What are the three types of descriptive research strategy?

Answer 1

• observational study
• case study
• Survey study

Question 2

What are the three methods for quantifying observations in an observational research designs?

Answer 2

Frequency method→ How often a specific behavior occurred

Duration method→ How much time was spent in a particular behavior

Interval method→ Dividing observation period into a series of intervals and recording # intervals in which the behavior is observed

Question 3

What are the three methods for sampling observations in an observational research designs?

Answer 3

Time sampling→ observing for one interval, then pausing during the next interval to record all the observations
Event sampling→ identifying one specific behavior to be observed during first interval, then shifting attention to a different behavior during second interval
Individual sampling→ one participant to be observed during the first interval, then shifting attention to a different individual for second interval?

Question 4

What are the three types of observational designs?

Answer 4

Naturalistic/behaviour observation→ no researcher intervention
Participant Observation→ researcher interacts with, and becomes part of, a participant group
Contrived Observation→ researcher arranges a setting to specifically facilitate or elicit a particular behaviour

(cf table for strengths and weaknesses)

Question 5

What are two indirect observational designs?

Answer 5

Content analysis→ Applying observational techniques to media such as movies, TV, literature
Archival research→ use previously compiled info/ no new data

Question 6

When is a case study usually used?

Answer 6

Idiographic approach→ intensive examination of single person
Usually in clinical psychology
- rare cases
- case study as counterexamples
- as inspiration for future research (ex: Kitty Genovese)

Question 7

What are the three types of survey questions?

Answer 7

Open-ended questions→ answer in own words
Restricted questions→ limited number of responses
Rating-scale questions→ selection of numerical value on predetermined scale

Question 8

What is a response set?

Answer 8

participants tend to use the same response to answer all
(or most) of the questions in rating scale questions

Question 9

Where should a researcher put the sensitive questions in a survey?

Answer 9

middle

Question 10

What are the different ways to administrate a survey and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each method?

Answer 10

Internet, Mail, telephone, interviews
Cf table for strengths and weaknesses

Question 11

Who is most likely to complete a survey?

Answer 11

Younger than 20 and students

Question 12

What are the main reasons for people dropping out of a survey?

Answer 12

• too long (more than 10min)
• not confidential
• Questions not relevant to them (make sure who sees the survey link)
• survey fatigue