Lecture 9 - Descriptive Research

Question 1

Descriptive Research

(Information Gathering Studies)

L9, P.1

Answer 1

• Goal is to simply measure and describe variables, not explain or find out why they are happening
• Observations of naturally occuring phenomena
• Allows us to gather information about variables we dont know a lot about
• Can be done through Case Studies, Surveys, and Experiments

Question 2

Case Study

L9, P.1

Answer 2

• An in depth analysis of an individual, group or event
• Often singular (one sports team)
• Allows us to study rare, unethical to create, things
• Doesnt allow us to learn why the studied variables do what they do
• Dont gain very much insight into cause/effect relationships
• Uses the smallest possible sample (Cannot confidently generalize results)

Question 3

Surveys

L9, P.2

Answer 3

• Written questionaires or verbal intrviews typically administered to a large number of people
• Cheap and easy - makes them very common
• Provides lots of purely descriptive data
• A biased sample can give completely inaccurate data results
• Prone to human fallibility
• Data cannot generalize if the sample is not representative of the population (Data is not a reliable indicator of what people actually want)

Question 4

Experiments

L9, P.3

Answer 4

• Foundation of science
• Only way to learn in reseacrh to learn why a variable changes its value
• Is the tool we use to test hypothesis’s
• A way to determine cause/effect realtionships between IV’s and DV’s by manipulating variables
• Help us learn something about the accuracy of our hypothesis

1. IV’s are manipulated
2. DV’s are measured
3. EV’s are controlled

Question 5

Manipulating Independant Variables

L9, P.3

Answer 5

• Main part of conducting experiments
• Exposes subjects to different levels, conditions, situations, etc.
• Must be 2 or more IV’s to compare thier effect on the DV

Question 6

Between Subjects

Research Design

L9, P.3-4

Answer 6

• Different subjects/groups are exposed to different levels of the IV at the same time
• 2 groups of subjects are needed
• Disadvantages are that indiviuals in the groups are different (can react differently) - People are not all the same

Question 7

Within Subjects

Research Design

L9, P.4

Answer 7

• Same subjects/group gets exposed to different levels of the IV at different times
• Only one group of subjects is needed
• Order effects are a disadvantage as the subjects have more experience going into the second phase of the experiment

Question 8

Univariate

Experiment Type

L9, P.4

Answer 8

• Simple
• Only uses 1 or two groups

Question 9

Mulitivariate

Experiment Type

L8, P.4

Answer 9

• Allows us to learn about synergies and interactions
• Studies conditions more relevant to the real world
• More complex, harder to accomplish and more costly in terms of time and money
• Need many more subjects (4 groups at least) which can be hard to find