Paper 3 Terms: Research Methods

Question 1

Experimental Study

Answer 1

• Includes independent and dependent variables; something is manipulated (IV) to see if there is an effect or result (DV).
• Experimental vs. Control Group: a group that is being manipulated in some way versus in comparison to one group that is left alone.
• Only research method that gives cause-and-effect, a.k.a the golden standard.
• Random assignment of participants.
• We must be mindful of confounding variables, which can distort the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. This is problematic for variables.

Question 2

Correlational Research

Answer 2

• Variables are measured and the relationship between them is quantified.
• Focuses on two variables and focuses on how they relate.
• Self-reporting is the usual form of data collection, and observations are possible.
• Data can be used to make predictions.
• Correlation ≠ causation
• Correlation coefficient (r is usually a decimal point and range from -1 to +1) is used to determine the strength of the correlation.
• Positive correlation: both variables go up together.

Question 3

Survey

Answer 3

• Collects data from a group of people by asking them questions, and is typically used to gather information about people’s opinions, behaviors, attitudes, or characteristics.
• Conducts a broad investigation of a phenomenon before getting deeper into the specifics.
• Advantages: wide reach and cost-effective (can be cheap and free).
• Disadvantages: self-report bias, and answers may not be honest or accurate.

Question 4

Observation

Answer 4

• Focuses on how people interact and how they interpret each other’s behaviors, and act upon these interpretations in a given/natural setting.
• A limitation in this research method is the Hawthorne effect- individuals tend to behave differently when they are being watched.
• You have to identify the following factors:
  
  • Lab vs. Naturalistic Observation
  • Overt vs. Covert/Undercover

Question 5

Interview

Answer 5

• Structured interviews include a fixed list of questions.
• Semi-structured interviews have some structure but have no particular set of questions or order to ask them.
• Unstructured interviews are participant-driven and every question is determined by the interviewee’s answer to the previous one.

Question 6

Focus Group

Answer 6

• A special type of semi-structured interview conducted simultaneously with a group of 6-15 people.
• Participants are encouraged to interact with each other and the interviewer serves as a facilitator.

Question 7

Case Study

Answer 7

• In-depth investigation of an individual or group.
• Involve various methods (e.g., observations, interviews, surveys, etc.).
• It is used when behavior is new/unique and sets up future research on the topic.
• Generalization is not done.

Question 8

Content Analysis

Answer 8

• Analyzing transcribed text from interview recordings.
• Goal: derive a set of recurring themes from interview recordings.