Research methods Flashcards
Advantages of Questionnaire
- Easily replicated as it can be sent to large samples of people quickly
- Anonymous so people will be more truthful and show less social desirability characteristics
What are closed questions?
Questions that have preset fixed answers e.g., Yes/ No
Advantages of closed questions:
- Yield quantitative data which is easier to analyse
- Answers are more objective
Disadvantages of closed questions
- Lacks validity as precise feelings cannot be expressed due to respondents having to choose particular choice
- Respondent bias as people may always choose a particular box
What are open questions?
Questions that don’t involve preset answers, but instead allows respondent to answer freely
Advantages of open questions
- Yield qualitative data that obtains richness of answers
- Improved validity as respondents can express themselves freely
Disadvantages of open questions:
- Requires more time and effort for the respondent
- Interpreting meaning of qualitative answers is more subjective
What are structured interviews?
Predetermined questions delivered by an interviewer who does not probe beyond the answers received
Advantages of structured interviews:
- Standardised procedure so easily replicable
- Gathers quantitative data which is easy to analyse
- Easy to analyse as answers are more predictable
- Rapport doesn’t need to be established between researcher & respondent
Disadvantages of structured interviews:
- Data gathered may lack depth
- Fixed questions means that respondent can’t express opinions fully
What are semi-structured interviews?
Researcher has pre-prepared questions but some answers may be developed, making it more conversational
Advantages of semi-structured interviews:
- Gathers qualitative and quantitative data so researchers gather more information on opinions
Disadvantages of semi-structured interviews:
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What are unstructured interviews?
No predetermined questions so respondents answer freely
Advantages of unstructured questions:
- Gathers qualitative data which gains in-depth, rich information
Disadvantages of unstructured interviews:
- Difficult to compare as everyone’s answers are unique’
- Interviewer bias as body language and leading questions may influence a respondents answer
- Some ethical issues
What is random sampling?
What are surveys?
Advantages of surveys:
- lot of people can be reached cheaply e.g. posting/ handing them out
Weaknesses of surveys:
- poor responde rate as its likely people won’t post survey back or will refuse to take part
What’s a quasi experiment?
When all other variables are controlled like a true experiment (field/lab) but there’s no random allocation to conditions as the IV is already inherent (e.g., gender as its set)
What are natural experiments?
Similar to true experiments but the situation happens by itself and variable is completely uncontrolled. As well as this, researcher has no control over group allocation
When are natural experiments used?
When it’s unethical to
