Research methods of the sociocultural approach Flashcards
why are Case studies useful in sociocultural approach?
They are useful because they aim to give a detailed picture of an individual or small group of people in different contexts. They have the potential of generating rich data with real relevance to a participants life.
Natural experiments
In this experiment the independent variable is not manipulated. It is naturally occuring (EX. gender, ethnicity, age)
Field experiments
They are conducted in the participants own environments. The investigators manipulate the independent variable and measure the effect on the dependent variable. Participants are often unaware that they are in an experiment. They have high ecological validity
Observations
These are frequently carried out by researchers taking a sociocultural approach because this method examines behavior in its social setting. Researchers have a number of options (participant/non-participant, covert/overt). Often used in triangulation method
Emic approach to research
focuses on the perspectives and words of participants. The researcher using this approach will use accounts and descriptions given in the very words used by the members of the group or culture being studied. Researcher focuses on specific features of the group or culture. Researcher attempts to put aside the psychological theories and the data ‘speak for itself’. This is the basis for ‘grounded theory’ in which the theory grows out of the material, rather than the theory being used to examine if the data supports it or not. The data creates meaning -> therefore this is often used in researching new topics.
Etic approach to research
The etic approach is a cross-cultural research method where researchers study behavior from outside the culture being examined. The aim is to find universal patterns or theories that apply across multiple cultures.
- Strength -> it allows more general cross-cultural concepts to emerge
What are ethics?
Ethics refers to a system of moral values or the way people distinguish right from wrong. (APA + BPS)
Why do researchers in the sociocultural approach often use naturalistic methods?
To study human behavior in real-world settings, capturing how people behave in natural circumstances.
What are the main ethical concerns in sociocultural research methods?
Ethical concerns include lack of informed consent, deception, emotional distress, and limited access to data or debriefing after the study.
What is covert participant observation, and why is it controversial?
It involves researchers secretly joining a group to observe behavior without participants’ knowledge. It’s controversial because it often violates informed consent and can cause harm once deception is revealed.
Why are some past sociocultural studies considered unethical by today’s standards?
Because they often involved deception, lack of consent, or psychological harm, and would not pass modern ethics committee approval.
What is one argument used to justify ethically questionable research in the past?
Some argue that “the end justifies the means”, meaning the knowledge gained about human behavior may outweigh the ethical issues.
What should researchers consider before, during, and after sociocultural research?
They should ensure informed consent, minimize harm, debrief participants, and allow access to withdraw data when necessary.
