Module 4 - Different Research designs

Question 1

Case study

Answer 1

Detailed, intensive analysis of one case

Question 2

Comparative design

Answer 2

Comparing across cases. Both extension of case study and survey research

Question 3

Cross-sectional design

Answer 3

Collection of more than one case at a single point in time.

Question 4

Longitudinial design

Answer 4

A series of repeated observations over time

Question 5

Panel Study

Answer 5

Form of longitudinal design → follow the same sample over time

Question 6

Cohort study

Answer 6

Form of longitudinal design → follow the members of a cohort over time

Question 7

Classical experimental design = randomised controlled trial

Answer 7

• Creation of two conditions that only differ in the manipulation
• Pre- and post-test of both groups

Question 8

Control variables

Answer 8

Variables held constant during the experiment

Question 9

Random assignment

Answer 9

Random assignment of all other variables during the experiment.

Question 10

Confounding variables

Answer 10

Another variable that might influence the experiment → Disturbing variable

Question 11

Two-group post-test only

Answer 11

Variation of classical experiment. Comparison between experimental and control group, no pre-test

Question 12

One-group pre-test/post-test design

Answer 12

Comparison between a pre-test and post-test, but no control group

Question 13

History efffect

Answer 13

An effect in the real world has an impact on the study → threat to internal validity

Question 14

Testing effect

Answer 14

if taking the pre-test influences the post-test → threat to internal validity

Question 15

Instrumentation

Answer 15

If the measurement changes during the experiment → threat to internal validity

Question 16

Mortality

Answer 16

if some participants not take part during the whole experiment → threat to internal validity

Question 17

Maturation effect

Answer 17

If participant change (“getting older and wiser”), and this influences the post-test → threat to internal validity

Question 18

Selection bias

Answer 18

Two groups are not comparable → threat to internal validity

Question 19

Ambiguity about causal direction

Answer 19

Does the treatment (X) precede the variation in Y → threat to internal validity

Question 20

Reactivity

Answer 20

Participants changing their behaviour because they know that they are participating ina (scientific) study