Non - Experimental Methods Flashcards
Define the term case study
Intensive study about a person/group of people - can also refer to the study of an institution eg a school - uses a range of sources from the individual to their family and friends.
Strengths of case studies
-Gaining insight and deeper understanding
-some things can only be investigated through a case study
Weaknesses of case studies
- ethics - may not be able to give full consent eg children
- replicability - too unique
- subjectivity in interpretation
- data not easily analysed
- lacks generalisability
What is a participant observation
Where the researcher becomes a member of the group they’re observing
What is a correlation
Used to test a hypothesis about a relationship between 2 variables e.g smoking and death
Correlation does not equal causation
Correlation co efficient ranges from +1 - -1
Strengths of correlation
Can be used for reasons that may be unethical/unpractical to manipulate
No manipulation = high ecological validity
Easily replicable
Makes use of other data
Weaknesses of correlations
May lack internal/external validity
No cause and effect
May lack generalisability
What is time sampling
Schedules time slots e.g every 2 minutes for an hour
What is event sampling
Tallying every time you see a certain behaviour on a coded sheet
What is a naturalistic observation
Watching and recording behaviour in the setting it would normally occur in
Strengths of naturalistic observation
Ecological validity - can be generalised
Weaknesses of naturalistic observation
Hard to replicate due to lack of control of variables
What is a controlled observation
Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment (variables are controlled by the researcher)
Strengths of controlled observation
Easier to replicate due to controlled variables
Weaknesses of controlled observation
Behaviour is unnatural due to unnatural setting
What’s a covert observation
Observers are not visible and participants are unaware their behaviour is being observed
Strengths of a covert observation
Behaviour is more natural
Weaknesses of covert observation
Less ethical as p’s are unaware and can’t give full informed consent
What is an overt observation
P’s are aware their behaviour is being observed and researcher is visible
Strengths of an overt observation
Ethical - informed consent
weaknesses of overt observation
Social desirability
Screw you/demand characteristics
Strengths of participant observation
N depth data as they’re close so unlikely to miss behaviour
Weaknesses of participant observation
Researcher bias - could affect objectivity
What is a non participant observation
Researcher remains outside the group they’re observing
Strengths of non participation observation
Researchers are more objective
Weaknesses of non participation observation
May not gain as much info or miss behaviour
What is a structured observation
Researchers use systems to organise observations
Strengths of a structured observation
Detailed
Weaknesses of structed observation
May be too much to record - risk of observer bias and writing down things that need their aims
Structured interview
Interviewers have pre determined set of questions that they stick to
What is a semi structured
Some questions are pre determined but some are made on the spot
Unstructured interview
Only the 1st question is planned everything else is free flowed
What are questionnaire
Non experimental self report method
Ps record thoughts with written answers or choose from fixed options
What are open questions
Not restricted to a fixed answer
What are closed questions
Fixed set of responses e.g. yes/no
What are cross sectional studies
‘Snapshot in time’
One group of people representing one section of society compared to another group
E.g. working class vs middle class
Strengths of cross sectional studies
Cheap,quick and practical
Weaknesses of cross sectional studies
Less detailed and hard to identify trends
What is a longitudinal study
Study conducted over a long period of time
Same p’s assessed at multiple points over a time period
Strengths of a longitudinal study
No p’s variables
Weaknesses of longitudinal study
P’s may move away or drop out = disrupts study
What is thematic analysis
Generalises qualitative data
Connotations of idea/words
E.g mentally ill are a drain on the NHS
Themes:
- ‘control’
- ‘stereotypes’
What is coding
Changing qualitative data to quantitive
Making a tally
E.g terms to describe the mentally ill
- ‘crazy’
- ‘Mad’
Brain scans - MRI
Uses a magnetic field which causes hydrogen atoms to move
Magnet then switches off so atoms move back - this produces an electromagnetic signal
Then forms a 2d image ‘cross sectional’
Tales 15-90mins
Strengths of an MRI
No harmful radiation
Detailed images
Weaknesses of MRI
Long time and uncomfortable
Brain scans - PET
Injected with a radioactive tracer
Combined with sugar as the brain uses glucose
Brain contains postions - these collide with electrons and release gamma rays
The more active parts of the brain = more postions
Takes between 10-40mins
Strengths of PET scans
Less claustrophobic
Weaknesses of PET scans
Tracer is invasive and has side effects
Brain scans - EEG
Placing electrodes on the scalp
These electrodes record electrical impulses
This creates a visual display of electrical activity
20-40 mins
Strengths of EEG
No radiation
Cheaper
Less invasive
Weaknesses of EEG
Can’t scan deep
Poor spacial resolution
Content analysis
Non experimental technique
Specific type of observation
Instead of observing directly we observe through the content of things people produce e.g to or magazines
What happens in content analysis
Sample = artefacts not people need a representative sample
Behavioural categories = quantitive analysis - tallying when you see certain behaviour
Strengths of content analysis
High mundane realism + ecological validity
Weaknesses of content analysis
Secondary data so it has ethical issues
Researcher bias/subjective
Culture bias
