Primary Research Methods

Question 1

Open questionnaire

Answer 1

A self complete form with questions which allow the respondent to answer in as much detail as they want

Question 2

Practical factors of questionnaires

Answer 2

\+easy 
\+cheap
\+lack of researcher effects 
\+quick to analyse and reach conclusions 
- low response rate
-misunderstand the question 
-answer may not fit those given (closed) 
-leading questions

Question 3

Ethical factors of questionnaires

Answer 3

+informed consent given
+ anonymous
-questions may be sensitive

Question 4

Theoretical factors of questionnaires

Answer 4

\+detailed data(open)
\+reliable 
\+large sample 
\+easy to quantify and analyse (closed)
\+ detachment and objectivity 
-participants may lie
-someone other then the intended participant may respond
-lack of rapport

Question 5

Closed questionnaires

Answer 5

A self complete form with questions which give a set of responses that the respondent can chose from

Question 6

Web based questionnaires

Answer 6

A self complete form which is sent via the internet or by using a site such as survey monkey

Question 7

Unstructured interview

Answer 7

A conversation between the participant where the questions are based on the response given

Question 8

Structured interview

Answer 8

A conversation between the researcher and the participant where the questions are set in advance

Question 9

Group interview

Answer 9

Where the interview can be structured or unstructured but involves more than one participant

Question 10

Practical factors of questionnaires

Answer 10

\+allows researcher to build rapport with the participant 
\+flexibility (unstructured only)
\+allows clarification of the questions
-time
-cost and training of interviewers

Question 11

Ethical factors of questionnaires

Answer 11

+good for sensitive topics

-questions could cause harm if of a sensitive nature

Question 12

Theoretical factors of interviews

Answer 12

\+in depth detailed data
\+(structured interviews) reliable
\+hard to quantify
_demands characteristics 
-unreliable (unstructured interviews)
-peer group influence

Question 13

Overt Observation

Answer 13

Where a researcher tells the participants that they are being observed and what they are observed for

Question 14

Covert observation

Answer 14

Where the researcher doesn’t tell the participants that they are being observed until after the survey

Question 15

Participant observation

Answer 15

Where the researcher becomes a member of the group they are researching

Question 16

Non participant observation

Answer 16

Where the researcher watches the group from outside without participating

Question 17

Practical factors of observations

Answer 17

\+flexible 
\+researchers can ask questions ( overt observation)
-time
-cost
-researcher effect
-relies on memory (covert)
-some groups can be hard to access

Question 18

Ethical factors of observations

Answer 18

• Lacks informed consent (covert)
• privacy can be breached
• going native (participant)

Question 19

Theoretical factors of observations

Answer 19

\+in depth detailed data
\+allows for verstenhen 
-Hawthorne effect
-hard to quantify
-small samples
-unreliable

Question 20

Experiment labs

Answer 20

A study that takes place in a lab where the researcher is able to manipulate and control all the variables

Question 21

Field experiments

Answer 21

Take place in real life settings such as classroom,the work place or even the highstreet

Question 22

Practical factors of experiments

Answer 22

+variables are controlled

• time
• cost

Question 23

Ethical factors of experiments

Answer 23

+deception to deal with researcher effects

-harm to participants(stress)

Question 24

Theoretical factors of experiments

Answer 24

\+highly reliable
\+causation can be determined 
-validity (not normal settings)
-researcher effects
-small sample