Module 4 - Different Research designs Flashcards
Case study
Detailed, intensive analysis of one case
Comparative design
Comparing across cases. Both extension of case study and survey research
Cross-sectional design
Collection of more than one case at a single point in time.
Longitudinial design
A series of repeated observations over time
Panel Study
Form of longitudinal design → follow the same sample over time
Cohort study
Form of longitudinal design → follow the members of a cohort over time
Classical experimental design = randomised controlled trial
- Creation of two conditions that only differ in the manipulation
- Pre- and post-test of both groups
Control variables
Variables held constant during the experiment
Random assignment
Random assignment of all other variables during the experiment.
Confounding variables
Another variable that might influence the experiment → Disturbing variable
Two-group post-test only
Variation of classical experiment. Comparison between experimental and control group, no pre-test
One-group pre-test/post-test design
Comparison between a pre-test and post-test, but no control group
History efffect
An effect in the real world has an impact on the study → threat to internal validity
Testing effect
if taking the pre-test influences the post-test → threat to internal validity
Instrumentation
If the measurement changes during the experiment → threat to internal validity
Mortality
if some participants not take part during the whole experiment → threat to internal validity
Maturation effect
If participant change (“getting older and wiser”), and this influences the post-test → threat to internal validity
Selection bias
Two groups are not comparable → threat to internal validity
Ambiguity about causal direction
Does the treatment (X) precede the variation in Y → threat to internal validity
Reactivity
Participants changing their behaviour because they know that they are participating ina (scientific) study
