Research Methods Emily Flashcards
What is a case study?
A unique detailed study of one particular individual or group
What does a researcher focus on in a case study?
One specific aspect of behaviour, collecting qualitative data
What are 2 examples of case studies on individuals?
Genie ‘wild child’ - effects of privation
Phineas Gage - metal rod through head
What are 2 examples of case studies on events?
London riots 2011 - mob behaviour
Jonestown - cult leader got 900 followers to commit suicide
How is data gathered in case studies?
Family members, social services, educational services, medical records, interviews, observations, questionnaires, experiments
What are 2 strengths of case studies?
Detailed data collected - may identify things other studies have overlooked.
Allow research into areas not ethically possible to create
What are 2 weaknesses of case studies?
Difficult/nearly impossible to replicate - so not reliable.
Difficult to generalise to wider population because the people/person in the study may be very different
What is a correlation?
A statistical technique that can tell us if there is a relationship between 2 continuous variables (co-variables)
What are the 3 differences between experiments and correlations?
Experiment - difference between 2 conditions, researcher manipulates IV, cause and effect
Correlation - relationship between 2 co-variables, no manipulation of IV, no cause and effect
What are the 2 pieces of information that can be obtained from a correlation?
The direction and the strength of the relationship/correlation
How is the strength of a correlation measured?
A value between -1 and 1 called the correlation coefficient
Weaker = close to 0
Stronger = close to 1 or -1
None = 0
What does the direction of a correlation mean?
Whether it is positive or negative
What happens in a positive correlation?
As x increases, y also increases
What happens in a negative correlation?
As x increases, y decreases
What are 2 strengths of correlations?
Allows research into unknown areas to see how the variables are related before doing an experiment.
Allows research when an experiment would be unethical
What are 2 weaknesses of correlations?
Cannot determine cause and effect - possible third variable.
Only identify linear relationships
What is a questionnaire?
A set of written questions designed to collect information from participants on their views and opinions on one or more topics, involving a large sample without the researcher present
What are the 4 important things to consider when constructing a questionnaire?
Instructions must be clear and simple.
Questions must be clear and simple.
Questions should be relevant and ethical.
Researchers should conduct a pilot study
What is an open question?
A question which allows the participant to answer in their own words and their responses are not restricted - they produce qualitative data
What is a closed question?
A question which provides the participant with a choice of responses and they are asked to select the answer which best represents their view/situation - mostly produce quantitative data
What is a strength of open questions?
Produce rich detailed data which is more likely to reflects a participant’s true feelings/beliefs
What 3 are weaknesses of open questions?
Difficult to analyse answers.
Time consuming.
Not suitable for those unable to express e.g. children, people who can’t write
What are 2 strengths of closed questions?
Easy to statistically analyse answers.
Standardised
What are 3 weaknesses of closed questions?
May not be accurate.
Lacks detail.
Can’t clarify/explain their answers