Non-experimental Research Methods Flashcards
What are non-experimental research methods?
A type of research that lacks an independent variable
Give two strengths of non-experimental research methods
- flexible meaning it can be applied to lots of areas of research
- cause of phenomenon is known and information is gained through investigation
Give two weaknesses of non-experimental research methods
- groups are not always representative of entire population
- no cause and effect relationship established
What is an observation?
Non-experimental method where researchers watch and/or listen to participants
What are the 6 types of observation?
- participant
- non-participant
- naturalistic
- controlled
- overt
- covert
What is a naturalistic observation?
Observing people in their usual setting without interference
What is a controlled observation?
Laboratory setting with all pp experiencing identical procedures
What is a participant observation?
Researcher goes undercover to join a group they wish to observe
What is a non-participant observation?
When a researcher observes from a distance
What is a covert observation?
Pp don’t know they are being observed
What is an overt observation?
Pp know they are being observed
Give one strength of controlled observations
Extraneous variables are controlled which makes replication easier
Give one weakness of controlled observations
Prone to demand characteristics
Give one strength of naturalistic observations
High external validity
Give one weakness of naturalistic observations
No control over extraneous variables which could influence behaviour
Give one strength of covert observations
High external validity
Give one weakness of covert observations?
Unethical as lack of informed consent
Give one strength of overt observations
No ethical issues
Give one weakness of overt observations
Demand characteristics as pp may change behaviour if they work out why the researcher is observing
Give one strength of participant observations
High external validity
Give one weakness of participant observations
Unreliable as behaviours can’t be recorded as they occur
Give one strength of non-participant observations
High external validity
Give one weakness of non-participant observations
Subject to observer bias
What is a case study?
In depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community
Give two strengths of case studies
- provide rich and detailed data
- allow for investigation of atypical or rare behaviours
Give two weaknesses of case studies
- cannot generalise findings to wider population
- people may incorrectly recall an event
What are the two self-report methods?
- questionnaires
- interviews
What is a questionnaire?
Written questions designed to collect information about a certain topic
What is an interview?
Face to face questions conducted in real time with interviewer
Give two strengths of questionnaires
- fast and cost-effective way of gathering data
- closed questions allow for fast comparison
Give two weaknesses of questionnaires
- time consuming to create
- data is invalidated if pp don’t understand a question
Give two strengths of interviews
- easy to replicate (structured questions)
- developed, detailed answers given (unstructured)
Give two weaknesses of interviews
- social desirability bias due to face-to-face nature
- hard to compare answers (unstructured)
What is thematic analysis?
A research tool to identify emerging trends in data
Give two strengths of thematic analysis
- allows common themes to be identified
- can be used for any method collecting qualitative data
Give two weaknesses of thematic analysis
- time consuming
- open to interpreter error
What is content analysis?
Data collection tool that converts qualitative data into quantitative data (information analysed and recorded in a category)
Give two strengths of content analysis
- flexible (can be adapted to produce quantitative data
- high ecological validity (based on observations of what people usually do)
Give two weaknesses of content analysis
- lacks objectivity as categories are created
- open to misinterpretation and error
What is a pilot study?
Small scale trial run of a study completed before the actual research is carried out
Give two reasons why you would conduct a pilot study
- to check if the IV is manipulated correctly
- to check if you have selected best method to measure DV
