Research Methods and Data

Question 1

What is a strength of a survey?

Answer 1

Questionnaires/surveys can be completed anonymously and privately. This means that responses are more likely to be honest if they know they won’t be judged.

Question 2

What is a survey?

Answer 2

The collection of information from a sample of individuals through their responses to questions.

Question 3

What is a weaknesses of a survey?

Answer 3

If any questions are misunderstood , participants cannot ask researchers as they are completing the survey privately. This means that they may answer the questions incorrectly, making the research less valid.

Question 4

What is an interview?

Answer 4

An interview involves an interviewer interacting with an individual to gain information and then analysed to make a conclusion.

Question 5

Two types of interviews?

Answer 5

Structured and unstructured.

Question 6

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 6

Questions are not prepared beforehand but the conversation is guided through prompts.

Question 7

What is a strength of an unstructured interview?

Answer 7

It can provide rich and detailed information, as they are free to answer the questions how they please, making the research valid.

Question 8

What is a weakness of an unstructured interview?

Answer 8

Social desirability issues may arise as participants may give false responses to put themselves in the best light, making the research less valid.

Question 9

What is a structured interview?

Answer 9

Predetermined responses are expected, as questions do not probe the interviewee.

Question 10

What is a strength of a structured interview?

Answer 10

A fixed set of closed questions are used, meaning it is easy to replicate and this makes the research reliable.

Question 11

What is a weakness of a structured interview?

Answer 11

There is a lack of detail as only closed questions are asked, meaning follow up questions cannot be asked to give more of an understanding, making the research less valid.

Question 12

What is a focus group?

Answer 12

This involves interviewing a group of individuals where questions are asked to aid discussion amongst participants. Qualitative data is gathered from participants opinions.

Question 13

What is a strength of a focus group?

Answer 13

They provide detailed information about personal and group thoughts and opinions. This provides a more in-depth understanding, and increases validity.

Question 14

What is a weakness of a focus group?

Answer 14

There may be disagreements and irrelevant topics discussed amongst the group. This can distract from the main issue and finding may be irrelevant, making the research less valid.

Question 15

What is a case study?

Answer 15

A case study is a real example relevant to the issue being researched.

Question 16

What is a strength of a case study?

Answer 16

It is more appropriate to use when investigating sensitive topics. This is because a trusting relationship can be built between the researcher and the participant, meaning they may be more likely to discuss issues and this increases validity.

Question 17

What is a weakness of a case study?

Answer 17

They can be difficult to replicate as they take place over a long period and involve a particular person or group of people, meaning it is difficult to repeat the study in the exact same way, which makes is less reliable.

Question 18

What is an observation?

Answer 18

This includes observing the behaviour of individuals as well as physical objects.

Question 19

What are the two types of observations?

Answer 19

Controlled observations and natural observations.

Question 20

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 20

It is carried out in a controlled environment, such as a lab.

Question 21

What is a strength of a controlled observation?

Answer 21

The researcher has high control over the study. This means that it is easier to establish cause and effect, making the research more valid.

Question 22

What is a weakness of a controlled observation?

Answer 22

Behaviour may be artificial as they are in an unnatural environment. This means they may act differently from how they normally would, which makes the research less valid.

Question 23

What is a natural observation?

Answer 23

Participants are observed in their natural environment.

Question 24

What is a strength of a natural observation?

Answer 24

Participants are more likely to react in a genuine and natural way, due to being in a normal environment, which makes the research more valid.

Question 25

What is a weakness of a natural observation?

Answer 25

If observers are identified, then participants may realise they are being watched and may start to behave unnaturally, which makes the research less valid.

Question 26

What is a correlation?

Answer 26

A correlation is an association of two co-variables and a measure of how they are related.

Question 27

What is a strength of a correlation?

Answer 27

Correlations are useful as an initial research method as they allow researchers to identify a link. This can be further investigated through controlled research to show further results.

Question 28

What is a weakness of a correlation?

Answer 28

Correlational results can be misused by the media, who may say a cause an effect has been identified, when only a relationship has. This could mislead the public and cause distress to the people it applies to, which decreases validity.

Question 29

What is a longitudinal study?

Answer 29

This is where data is gathered for the same subjects repeatedly over a period of time. This could be for decades.

Question 30

What is a strength of a longitudinal study?

Answer 30

It is good for establishing trends. Collecting lots of data for several years allows us to clearly see what is happening, making the results valid.

Question 31

What is a weakness of a longitudinal study?

Answer 31

It can take a long time and can be costly as participants are followed over years. As the research lasts a long time, the same groups of people must be used, and some drop out midway through the study. Many researchers must be involved to conduct the research and analyse the findings, and this can lead to less reliable findings.

Question 32

What is a scientific experiment?

Answer 32

In an experiment, only two variables are tested at a time, to measure the influence of the IV on the DV.

Question 33

What is a strength of a scientific experiment?

Answer 33

It is easier to replicate in the exact same way. This is because a standardised procedure is used, which makes the research more reliable.

Question 34

What is a weakness of a scientific experiment?

Answer 34

A lab setting is artificial, so unnatural behaviour may be produced which does not reflect real life. This means it isn’t possible to generalise findings to a real life setting, which makes the research less valid.

Question 35

What is reliability?

Answer 35

Research must be repeated in the same way in order to gain consistent results.

Question 36

What is validity?

Answer 36

Research must measure what it is intending to measure in order to be valid.

Question 37

What is primary research?

Answer 37

Research that is carried out by the researcher themselves.

Question 38

What is secondary research?

Answer 38

Research that has been previously published for other purposes.

Question 39

What is qualitative data?

Answer 39

It is descriptive data which is shown in word format.

Question 40

A strength of qualitative data?

Answer 40

This usually generates more detailed responses which give a deeper understanding and increases validity.

Question 41

A weakness of qualitative data?

Answer 41

This data is harder to analyse as it in descriptive format, meaning it can be time consuming and affect reliability.

Question 42

What is quantitative data?

Answer 42

It is data which is numerical.

Question 43

A strength of quantitative data?

Answer 43

It is easier to gather and analyse as participant responses can just be counted. This makes it easier to analyse large amounts of data.

Question 44

A weakness of quantitative data?

Answer 44

It generates less of an understanding as participants are restricted with what they can answer and cannot fully express their views.