Psychology - Research methods - Coding, Content Analysis and Case studies Flashcards
What is content analysis?
A systematic research technique for analysing data such as transcripts for interviews, documents or texts. The data may be too large to analyse initially so the researcher creates a coding system.
Coding
When the data is too large for content analysis so a coding system is created of predetermined categories that can be applied to the content
How could coding occur in content analysis (example?
Counting the number of times a word/phrase/behaviour appears in a source
Strengths of content analysis
- Good for summarising large quantities of mediated information
- Unobtrusive
- Does not require interaction with participants
- Systematically study historical events/media (somewhat objective)
Weaknesses of content analysis
- May not reveal the underlying motives for the observed pattern as it is purely descriptive
- Analysis is limited by availability of material, observed trends in media may not be an accurate reflection of reality.
- Time consuming for large amounts of data
What are case studies?
a detailed study of a single individual, group, or event
What is the aim of case studies?
to be scientific in their approach when investigating a topic/issue
What methods are used in case studies?
Objective and systematic methods are used to collect data
What data is collected from case studies?
Qualitative, in depth data or quantitative data through questionnaires or experiments.
What are the advantages of case studies?
- Can provide existence proofs
- Allow us to study rare or unusual phenomena
- Can offer insights for later systematic testing
What are the disadvantages of case studies
- Results or experiences can be atypical, unrepresentative
- Can lead to false conclusions
- Doesn’t suggest causation
