Research Methods

Question 1

Quantitative

Answer 1

Concerned with measuring frequency of events to find patterns 
Surveys 
Experiments
Hypothetical-deductive
Realist
Positivist

Question 2

Qualitative

Answer 2

Concerned with closer analysis of smaller samples to discover motivations, attitudes, feelings

Case studies 
Focus groups 
Interviews 
More in depth 
Naturalistic, contextual, interpretive, constructionist

Question 3

Challenging the qualitative and quantitative divide

Answer 3

No statistical analysis without interpretation

No quantification without qualification, e.g. Scales in charts

Question 4

Ways of merging quantitative and qualitative

Answer 4

Triangulation
(Using both methods to validate each other)
Facilitation
(One approach used as source of hypothesis other approach tests it)
Complementary
(Each approach provides different information and data which compliments each other)

Question 5

Classic social psychology experiment

Answer 5

Laboratory experiment
Allows control of variables
Aims to isolate and control an individual variable
Allows a study of cause and effect of variables
Disadvantages :- low on mundane realism
Low on external validity
Prone to bias e.g. Subject affects or demand characteristics

Question 6

Field experiment

Answer 6

Experiments carried out in their natural place.
Advantages of high external validity, no demand characteristics
However less control of variables, random assignment difficult, difficult to measure subjective variables such as feelings

Question 7

Discourse analysis

Answer 7

The analysis of text in particular naturally occurring language in order to understand its meaning and significance