Research Methods Flashcards
What are open questionnaires
Questionnaires that allow respondent to give more detailed personal answers to the set questions
What are closed questionnaires
Questionnaires where the respondent chooses between multiple choice answers, in statistical form, shorter answers
What are Structured interviews
Interviews with set questions for the respondent
What are unstructured interviews
Interviews with no planned questions and the interviewer can build rapport with respondent
Advantages of questionnaires and structured interviews
Reliability- easy related, easy to compare answers, can be generalised
Disadvantages of questionnaires and structured interviews
Respondent can plan answers before, lack validity
What is a longitudinal study
Studying same group of people over long period of time to study change and behaviour
What is qualitative methods?
Methods of research with in-depth answers and detailed opinions eg. Diary, unstructured interviews, observation
What is quantitative methods?
Methods of research with numerical data and statistics eg. Graphs, questionnaires, surveys
What is participant observation
Observations where researcher joins in group to study their behaviours and participates in activities
Overt- group aware of researcher
Covert- group unaware of researcher (undercover)
What is non participant observation
Observation where researcher studies group in natural setting by not participating
Advantages of unstructured interviews
More valid answers, build rapport so respondent more comfortable, detailed rich answers
Disadvantages of unstructured interviews
Hard to compare answers, time consuming, results invalid if lying, hard to generalise
Advantages of participant observation
Can study group in natural setting, build trust with group,
Disadvantages of participant observation
Hard to develop trust, time consuming, biased, hard to compare
