Research methods and experiment designs

Question 1

Content analysis

Answer 1

A research tool used to analyze the content of media such as documents or audio/visual sources.

Strengths:
Can be straightforward to get access to media that provides rich sources of information
As the method does not require direct contact with people, there are no investigator effects

Limitations:
Lack of objectivity
It is a description of behavior rather than an explanation

Question 2

Steps in content analysis

Answer 2

1- State the aim and hypothesis
2- Decide on the sample/ limits of what is going to be analyzed
3- Decide on units of analysis and develop a coding system
4- Establish reliability in the coding system and make adjustments
5- Analyze findings and interpret them in terms of the hypothesis. Using qualitative or quantitative methods

Question 3

Case study

Answer 3

An in-depth study of one person or a group of people.

Strengths:
Can rich quantitative and qualitative data.
Provide insight for further research

Limitations:
Could have researcher bias -subjective
Can be difficult to replicate
Can be difficult to generalise to wider population