research methods: non-experimental methods

Question 1

what are the 4 non-experimental methods?

Answer 1

.content analysis
.case study
.correlational analysis
.meta-analysis

Question 2

what is meant by content analysis?

Answer 2

.type of indirect observation of communication, e.g. diary

Question 3

what is a strength to content analysis?

Answer 3

.few ethical issues
.can use secondary data with high ecological validity

Question 4

what is a negative to content analysis?

Answer 4

.by quantifying the data you lose its meaning, so conclusions are less valid

Question 5

what is meant by a case study?

Answer 5

.detailed study of one person or a group, with a unique characteristic or experience.
.often combines different methods
.mostly longitudinal

Question 6

what is a positive to a case study?

Answer 6

.gives detailed insight
.generate hypothesis for future research

Question 7

what is a negative to a case study?

Answer 7

.can’t generalise from one offs
.often can’t replicate

Question 8

what is meant by correlational analysis?

Answer 8

.relationship between two continuous co- variables
.correlation co-efficient shows strength and direction of the relationship

Question 9

what is a strength to a correlational analysis?

Answer 9

.useful for identifying potential areas of research
.few ethical issues as no variable is manipulated

Question 10

what is a negative to a correlational analysis?

Answer 10

.cannot identify causation, only correlation

Question 11

what is meant by a meta-analysis?

Answer 11

.a type of secondary data that involves compiling data from multiple studies that investigate the same behaviour to create overall conclusions

Question 12

what is a strength to a meta-analysis?

Answer 12

.large sample sizes improves validity and means generalisations are easier to make

Question 13

what is a negative to a meta-analysis?

Answer 13

.potential for researcher/publication bias if researchers leave out certain studies e.g. non-significant results