Research Methods 6 Flashcards
Content Analysis
Content Analysis is a type of observational technique which involves studying people indirectly , through qualitative data .
Qualitative data collected in a range of formats can be used , such as video or audio recordings , written responses .
Content Analysis helps to classify responses in a way that is systematic , which can then allow clear conclusions to be drawn .
This is particularly helpful in conducting “unethical research”.
Consent is not required as information is already accessible to the public .
Sensitive information can also be collected as participants can write reports .
Coding
Coding is important for content analysis and involves the researcher developing categories for the data to be classified .
This is particularly important for qualitative data as data information can be categorized into smaller groups .
Thematic Analysis
Allows themes to be identified throughout qualitative data .
A theme can be both explicit or implicit and produce much more refined qualitative data .
Correlational Studies
Correlational techniques are non‐experimental methods used to measure how strong the relationship is between two (or more) variables.
In an experiment, the effect of an independent variable upon the
dependent variable is measured; however, in correlational studies the movement and direction of co‐ variables in response to each other is measured.
E.g.: cigarette‐smoking and lung cancer: first it was noticed that there
was a positive correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked and the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Later, this research was extended and a cause and effect relationship was discovered between cigarette‐smoking and lung cancer.
There are different types of correlational studies ;
Positive correlation: As one variable increases the other variable increases.
Negative correlation: As one variable increases the other variable decreases.
Zero correlation: occurs when a correlational study finds no relationship between variables.
A correlation coefficient is used to measure the strength and nature of the relationship between two co‐variables.
Longitudinal Research
Longitudinal research refers to research that is done over a long period of time. For example, interviewing participants at regular interviews through their childhood, in order to see development.
Advantage - researchers can
genuinely see and record social change over significant time periods.
Disadvantages - high cost, meaning funding agencies who pay for research may be
unwilling to commit to an expensive project whose results will be
unknown for many years.
Cross-Sectional Research
Cross-sectional research involves comparing two or more pre-existing groups of people.
This is a non-experimental method as there is no manipulation of an independent variable and no random assignment of participants to groups.
Commonly used by developmental studies.
Limitation of using this design to study the effects of aging is that differences between the groups other than age may account for differences in the dependent variable.
Key characteristics include ;
The study takes place at a single point in time.
It does not involve manipulating variables.
It allows researchers to look at numerous characteristics at once.
It’s often used to look at the prevailing characteristics in a given population.
It can provide information about what is happening in a current population.
Cross-Cultural Studies
These are research studies that compare 2 or more cultures .
Cross-cultural studies involve the systematic comparisons of different cultures that aim to understand variations of human behavior as it is
influenced by cultural context.
Cross cultural studies are differentiated by the sample or more the participation of individuals from different cultures .
Meta Analysis
A meta-analysis is where researchers combine the findings from multiple studies to draw an overall conclusion.
The goal is to calculate the direction and/or magnitude of an effect across all relevant studies, both published and unpublished.
Meta Analysis’s are helpful as they summarize information .
It follows a few general principles in that a
meta-analysis:
Is done systematically
Follows certain criteria
Contains a pool of results
Is based on a quantitative analysis
Advantages - Better statistical power and better generalizability to the average population .
Also considered evidence based
Disadvantages - Complex statistical skills are required .
Time consuming
