Research Methods

Question 1

Cross-Sectional vs Longitudinal Design

Answer 1

Cross-Sectional = at one point in time (difficult to infer causality)
Longitudinal = a number of points over time (trying to get at cause and effect).
—- Can be either repeated measures or time series (usually more than 20 data time points).

Question 2

The 4 types of Validity

Answer 2

Statistical Conclusion Validity
Internal Validity
Construct Validity
External Validity

Question 3

Internal Validity

Answer 3

update

Question 4

Construct Validity

Answer 4

update

Question 5

External Validity

Answer 5

update

Question 6

Statistical Conclusion Validity

Answer 6

update

Question 7

Epistemology vs. methodology

Answer 7

Epistemology and methodology are intimately related: the former involves the philosophy of how we come to know the world and the latter involves the practice.

• epistemology is the philosophy of knowledge or of how we come to know
• Methodology is focused on the specific ways – the methods – that we can use to try to understand our world better.

Question 8

Metaphysics & Positivism & Post-Postivism.

Answer 8

Metaphysics = philosophical enquiry of a non-empirical character into the nature of existence.
Positivists say that natural science rejects the study of metaphysics. Rather, the purpose of science is to study only what can be observed and measured (empiricism).
Post-Positivisim - rejection of positivism in favor of a position that one can make reasonable inferences about phenomena by combining theory and empiricism.