Research methods Flashcards
what is a lab experiment?
controlled setting. likely to be overt. identifies and controls variables-identify cause and effect
what is a field experiment?
natural setting e.g. school. likely to be covert.identifies and controls variables-identify cause and effect
what is an armchair/comparative experiment?
compares 2 groups who differ in only one respect. e.g. divorce rates before + after divorce reform act. identifies and controls variables-identify cause and effect
what are some advantages of lab experiments?
quantitative data. easy to analyse. reliable.easy to control variables
what are some advantages of field experiments?
less Hawthorne effect. qualitative data. validity.
what are some advantages of armchair/comparative experiments?
can be used to study past events. avoids artificiality. no ethical issues
what are some disadvantages of lab experiments?
artificial-low validity. Hawthorne effect. ethical issues. small scale so unrepresentative.
what are some disadvantages of field experiments?
difficult to control-lack internal validity. ethics-harder inform often involves deceit, mainly covert.
what are some disadvantages of armchair/comparative experiments?
little control over variables so harder to establish cause and effect.
what are some example of experiments?
LAB- Bandura (bobo doll)
FIELD- Rosenthal + Jacobson (spurters)
ARMCHAIR- Brunsma + Rockquemore (effects of school uniform)
what are some examples of questionnaires?
self completion, postal, open/closed q’s
what are some advantages of questionnaires?
mainly quantitative (positivists), reliable, easy to compare data, representative-easy to generalise, cheap. closed q’s easy to quantify. no interviewer effect. fewer ethical issues.
what are some disadvantages of questionnaires?
low validity. postal have low response rate. misunderstanding of q’s
what are some examples of questionnaires?
Chubb and moe- factors effecting educational achievement. Sullivan-cultural capital and educational achievement
what are structured interviews?
usually closed, precoded q’s. set interview schedule.
what are some advantages of structured interviews?
quantitative data, easy to train interviewers, quick and cheap, high response rate, reliable.
what are some disadvantages of structured interviews?
expensive and time consuming, interviewer bias, less valid- closed q’s.
what are unstructured interviews?
informal, open ended q’s. no interview schedule.
what are some advantages of unstructured interviews?
qualitative data, gain rapport easier-can go into depth e.g. sensitive topics. interviewer can explain questions/ ask for more info-increases validity.
what are some disadvantages of unstructured interviews?
time consuming and expensive to train interview. small scale-less representative. unreliable-can’t replicate. difficult to quantify, analyse and compare. increased interviewer effect.
give an example of unstructured interviews.
Labov- black kids, informal compared formal setting (toys)
what are group interviews?
asking q’s in turn or focus group- guided discussions. a group of interviewees
what are some advantages of group interviews?
in education it is a more natural setting-used to be around a lot of people. validity-more confident together. ideas can be stimulated by others in the group- more insights
what are some disadvantages of group interviews?
group may be dominated, peer pressure. difficult to keep focus. harder to analyse data
what is an example of group interviews?
Willis and the lads
define participant observation
unstructured, natural setting usually covert when the observer participates.
what are some advantages of participant observation?
valid, authentic data. covert=natural behavior so valid especially on sensitive topics. new insights into hidden worlds
what are some disadvantages of participant observation?
unreliable. unrepresentative. if covert it is hard to take notes which could result in invalid data and is easier to go native. being able to get into the group and stay in and getting out. need a highly trained, skilled observer. may be objectivity- observer bias so only specific recordings. ethical issues- deception, privacy, welfare.
define non participant observation
may be structured or unstructured, covert or overt. observer doesn’t participate
what are some advantages of non participant observation?
overt reduces moral and ethical issues, easier to record and can question openly. if covert increases natural behavior so valid. structured is quick, cheap and less training, generates quantitative data, easier to analyse and compare. unstructured is more valid and qualitative data
what are some disadvantages of non participant observation?
overt=observer effect. covert= harder to record data and increased risk of going native. structured lacks validity and unstructured is time consuming, harder to analyse and compare data and unreliable.
