Methodology Evaluations

Question 1

Quasi experiments: positives

Answer 1

1. Allows study of things that could not be studied in any other way.

Question 2

Quasi experiments: negatives

Answer 2

1. Cannot draw cause and effect conclusion
2. Not randomly allocated (increase variables= bias)
3. Extraneous variables
4. Difficult to replicate
5. Characteristics= low population validity

Question 3

Questionnaire: positives

Answer 3

1. Easy + quick + cheap
2. Allow to collect data from a large sample
3. Impersonal nature= decrease social desirability bias.

Question 4

Questionnaire: negatives

Answer 4

1. Takes lots of time of design
2. Only by people who can read and write= bias

Question 5

Structured Interviews: positives

Answer 5

1.Easily repeated= standardised
2. Answers are predictable= easy to analyse

Question 6

Structured Interviews: negatives

Answer 6

1. Interviewer behaviour= decrease reliability
2. Interviewer expectations may influence answers (interviewer bias).

Question 7

Semi-structured Interviews: positives

Answer 7

1. More details obtained from questions
2. Tailor questions for specific response= deeper insight.

Question 8

Semi-structured Interviews: negatives

Answer 8

1. Interviewer needs more skills
2. Lack objectivity= instant nature
3. No time to reflect on response
4. More expensive.

Question 9

Content analysis: positives

Answer 9

1. Increase ecological validity
2. sources are retained= replicated

Question 10

Content analyses: negatives

Answer 10

1. Observer bias= reduce objectivity and reduce validity (interpret behaviour differently).

Question 11

Case studies: positives

Answer 11

1. In-depth data of behaviour that is rare
2. Complex interaction studied.

Question 12

Case studies: negatives

Answer 12

1. Hard to generalise individual cases (with unique characteristics)
2. Patient collection= unreliable