Research methods

Question 1

Advantages of Questionnaire

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

What are closed questions?

Answer 2

Questions that have preset fixed answers e.g., Yes/ No

Question 3

Advantages of closed questions:

Answer 3

• Yield quantitative data which is easier to analyse

- Answers are more objective

Question 4

Disadvantages of closed questions

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What are open questions?

Answer 5

Questions that don’t involve preset answers, but instead allows respondent to answer freely

Question 6

Advantages of open questions

Answer 6

• Yield qualitative data that obtains richness of answers

- Improved validity as respondents can express themselves freely

Question 7

Disadvantages of open questions:

Answer 7

• Requires more time and effort for the respondent

- Interpreting meaning of qualitative answers is more subjective

Question 8

What are structured interviews?

Answer 8

Predetermined questions delivered by an interviewer who does not probe beyond the answers received

Question 9

Advantages of structured interviews:

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Disadvantages of structured interviews:

Answer 10

• Data gathered may lack depth

- Fixed questions means that respondent can’t express opinions fully

Question 11

What are semi-structured interviews?

Answer 11

Researcher has pre-prepared questions but some answers may be developed, making it more conversational

Question 12

Advantages of semi-structured interviews:

Answer 12

• Gathers qualitative and quantitative data so researchers gather more information on opinions

Question 13

Disadvantages of semi-structured interviews:

Answer 13

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Question 14

What are unstructured interviews?

Answer 14

No predetermined questions so respondents answer freely

Question 15

Advantages of unstructured questions:

Answer 15

• Gathers qualitative data which gains in-depth, rich information

Question 16

Disadvantages of unstructured interviews:

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What is random sampling?

Question 18

What are surveys?

Question 19

Advantages of surveys:

Answer 19

• lot of people can be reached cheaply e.g. posting/ handing them out

Question 20

Weaknesses of surveys:

Answer 20

• poor responde rate as its likely people won’t post survey back or will refuse to take part

Question 21

What’s a quasi experiment?

Answer 21

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)

Question 22

What are natural experiments?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

When are natural experiments used?

Answer 23

When it’s unethical to