Non-experimental Methods: Qualitative research

Question 1

Why choose non-experimental methods compared to experimental methods?

Answer 1

Non-experimental methods are a valuable part of psychology research; experimental methods can be criticised as being artificial and lacking in ecological validity

Question 2

Triangulation

Answer 2

Combining methods; using both qualitative and quantitative research methods

Question 3

Deductive approach

Answer 3

Used in experiments; claim is tested to be either accepted or rejected

Question 4

Inductive approach

Answer 4

Used in qualitative methods; variables are not defined in advance - the researcher first gathers data then sees what it could mean

Question 5

Goal is not to…

Answer 5

…find a cause and effect relationship

Question 6

Involves an active engagement in the research process

Answer 6

Acknowledge there is a subjective element to the process

Question 7

Qualitative research methods

Answer 7

Structured interviews, unstructured interview, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, non-participant observation, case studies

Question 8

Structured interviews

Answer 8

Interview schedule states what questions will be asked as well as the order; usually close ended questions; highly controlled

Question 9

Strengths of structured interviews

Answer 9

Easy to analyse and compare data from other respondents

Question 10

Limitations of structured interviews

Answer 10

Somewhat artificial - structure limits understanding/depth; interviewer is bound to the interview schedule

Question 11

Unstructured interviews

Answer 11

Specifies topic and available time

Question 12

Strengths of unstructured interviews

Answer 12

Open to the interests and motivation of the respondent - reveal more about themselves

Question 13

Limitations of unstructured interviews

Answer 13

Difficult to analyse

Question 14

Semi-structured interviews

Answer 14

Looks like an informal conversation; follows a schedule

Question 15

Strengths of semi-structured interviews

Answer 15

Set of questions permits the respondent to answer more freely while maintaining the focus of the interview (mix of closed questions and open ended questions)

Question 16

Limitations of semi-structured interviews

Answer 16

Data analysis is time consuming

Question 17

Participant observation

Answer 17

Studying spontaneous behaviour of participants in a natural surrounding; researcher joins in/becomes part of the target group

Question 18

Strengths of participant observation

Answer 18

Get a deeper insight; greater ecological value

Question 19

Limitations of participant observations

Answer 19

Difficult to get time/privacy for recording/making notes; researcher can get too involved and lose objectivity - gain bias

Question 20

Non-participant observations

Answer 20

Studying spontaneous behaviour of participants in a natural surrounding; researcher is not part of the group being observed

Question 21

Strengths of non-participant observations

Answer 21

Greater ecological value

Easier to record information and observations

Question 22

Weaknesses of non-participant observations

Answer 22

Demand characteristics; researcher bias; often micro-scale - may lack a representative sample

Question 23

Case studies

Answer 23

In depth investigations of an individual or group of individuals

Question 24

Strengths of case studies

Answer 24

Provides detailed (rich qualitative) information; permitting investigation of otherwise impractical or unethical situations

Question 25

Weaknesses of case studies

Answer 25

Can’t generalise to a wider population; researchers own subjective feeling may influence study (researcher bias); difficult to duplicate; time consuming