Research Methods Flashcards
Experiments
establishes a cause and effect where researchers manipulate independent variables measuring their effect on dependent variables.
examples: field and laboratory experiments.
Experiments
Advantages
IV and DV help establish cause and effect to increase validity and accuracy of research
Experiments
Dis-advantages
Artificial tasks & controlled environments which don’t reflect activity of individuals. This decreases ecological validity and accuracy of research
Self Reports
Investigates peoples attitudes, beliefs and opinions.
examples: questionnaires, interviews
Self-Report
Advantages
Investigates attitudes, beliefs and opinions of individuals.
increases validity and accuracy of results.
Self Reports
Disadvantages
individuals all have differing thoughts and opinions on topics. Difficult to generalise when there’s no similar opinions between individuals
Observations
Study peoples behaviour involving researchers watching, recording notes about what they see.
examples: participant and non-participant observations.
Observations
Advantages
Behaviours can be watched to examine interactions between individuals in open artificial environments. Improves validity and accuracy.
Observations
Disadvantages
Demand characteristics occur when participants know they’re being watched therefore changing their behaviour acting unnaturally. Reduces accuracy and validity as behaviour studied are unnatural.
Correlations
meausre relationships between two or more variables if they are related.
Correlations
Advantages
Establish relationship between two variables when experimental manipulation of variables is unethical.
Correlations
Disadvantages
Dont establish a cause and effect between variables. We cant say one variable has caused a change in another.
Case Studies
investigates unusual behaviour studying one or a very small group of individuals and apply other methods within the case study.
examples: questionnaires, observations and interviews
Case Studies
Advantages
Follow one or a small group of individuals for a sustained period. We can gather in-depth information on behaviours. Increases validity and accuracy.
Case Studies
Disadvantages
Only very small sample, participant not representative of target population. Generalisability reduced. Reducing population validity of research.
