Methodologies Flashcards
Experiments
Where the independent variable is manipulated to observe the casual effect on the dependent variable
Quasi-experiments
A research method where by the researcher doesn’t manipulate the independent variable directly but instead measures the effect of the DV on the IV
Participant observation
Observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed
Non-participant observation
Where the researcher watches the subjects of their study without taking an active part in the situation under scrutiny.
Content analysis
A kind of observational study in which behaviour is observed indirectly through written or verbal material
Structured interviews/questionnaires
An interview in which the questions are decided in advance
Semi-structured interviews
An interview that starts out with some general aims and questions that allows the respondent’s answers guide subsequent questions
Correlations
Determining the extent of an association between two variables
Case studies
A research investigation that involves a detailed study of a single individual, institution or event
Brain scans
A technique used to investigate the functioning of the brain by taking images of the living brain
Longitudinal studies
A study conducted over a long period of time. Often a form of repeated measures design in which participants are assessed on two or more occasions as they age
Quantitative data
Information in the form of numbers that represent how much, how long or hoe many of something there are
Qualitative data
Information in the form of words that cannot be counted or quantified
