Non-experimental methods

Question 1

What are the types of non experimental methods?

Answer 1

1. Correlations
2. Observational Techniques (naturalistic or controlled, overt and covert, participant and non participant, structured and non structured)
3. Self-report techniques (questionnaire or interview)
4. Case studies

Question 2

Difference between experiment and correlation

Answer 2

An experiment - researcher looks to see if there is a difference between two conditions. Researcher often manipulates an IV to see effect on DV. Cause and effect can be determined.

Correlations - researcher looks to see a relationship between two co variables. Researcher makes no attempt to manipulate IV. Cause and effect cannot be determined. Graph - scattergram.

Question 3

Strength and weakness of correlations

Answer 3

Strengths: Possible to conduct this when other methods would be unethical. No manipulation of IV, making use of existing data

Weakness: Does not allow to determine cause and effect, third variable could be responsible for any effect seen

Question 4

What are observations

Answer 4

Observations can be used to focus on 1 particular type of behaviour ie aggression, to see what category someone falls into ie securely or insecurely attached, or observe how people behave in certain situations

Question 5

Strengths and limitations of different observations

Answer 5

Naturalistic strengths: participants behaviour is likely natural, likely genuine reaction of how they would behave.

Naturalistic weakness: researcher has little control over the research situation

Controlled strengths: Researcher has good control over the investigation, meaning it can be repeated to see if similar findings can be obtained

Controlled weakness: Participants behaviour may be unnatural - less likely genuine reflection on how they’d behave

Question 6

Recording data from an observation

Question 7

Sampling procedures for observations

Question 8

Important considerations for observations

Question 9

Questionnaires, what must questions be?

Question 10

Types of questions in questionnaires

Question 11

Self report: Interviews
Types of interview

Question 12

Design of interviews

Question 13

Case studies: what are they

Question 14

Strength and weaknesses of case studies

Question 15

Types of hypothesis

Question 16

Naturalistic observations and controlled

Answer 16

Observing behaviour in a natural setting (naturalistic)
Controlled - involves observing behaviour in a prepared setting created by the researcher