Research Methods (Paper 2)

Question 1

What do Case studies involve?

Answer 1

Conducting a detailed study of one particular individual or group

Question 2

What type of data do case studies typically collect?

Answer 2

Qualitative data

Question 3

What are 4 sources for obtaining information in a case study?

Answer 3

-Family members
-Social services
-Educational services
-Medical records

Question 4

What are 4 methods of gathering data in a case study?

Answer 4

-Interviews
-Observations
-Questionnaires
-Experimental Testing

Question 5

What type of studies are case studies regarded as and why?

Answer 5

Longitudinal studies because they take place over a long period of time

Question 6

What are 3 strengths of case studies?

Answer 6

-The data collected is detailed
-They allow insight into situations that cannot be created by researchers
-They allow researchers to generate hypotheses for future studies

Question 7

What are 4 limitations of case studies?

Answer 7

-They are difficult to replicate
-It is difficult to generalise the findings to a wider population
-The accounts are personal and therefore potentially inaccurate
-The researcher’s interpretation may be subjective

Question 9

What is the difference between experiments and correlations?

Answer 9

During an experiment, the researcher investigates whether there is a difference between 2 conditions whereas during a correlation, the researcher looks for a relationship between 2 variables

Question 10

What two pieces of information can be obtained from doing a correlation?

Answer 10

-The direction of any relationship/correlation
-The strength of any relationship/correlation

Question 11

What is meant by a positive correlation?

Answer 11

As one variable increases or decreases the other variable does the same

Question 12

What is meant by a negative correlation?

Answer 12

As one variable increases, the other variable decreases and vice versa

Question 13

What do the values indicate in regard to correlation coefficient?

Answer 13

Strong negative None Strong positive
-1 ——————————-0——————————- 1

Question 14

What are 3 strengths of correlations?

Answer 14

-Researchers are able to conduct investigations into an unknown area
-Correlations make use of existing data so they are more cost effective
-It is possible to conduct a correlation when using other methods would be considered unethical

Question 15

What are 3 limitations of correlations?

Answer 15

-Do not allow researchers to determine cause and effect
-Correlations can only identify linear relationships
-They can be easy to misinterpret

Question 16

What is an alternative hypothesis?

Answer 16

A hypothesis that predicts that two variables are related

Question 17

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 17

A set of written questions designed to collect information from participants on their views and opinions

Question 18

What are 4 factors that must be considered when constructing a questionnaire?

Answer 18

-Clear and simple instructions
-Clear and simple questions
-Relevant and ethical questions
-Pilot study should be conducted beforehand

Question 19

What are 3 ways that researchers could ensure participants understand what is being asked of them?

Answer 19

-Avoiding ambiguous questions
-Avoiding leading questions
-Ensuring clarity by not using jargon

Question 20

What are the two types of question in a questionnaire?

Answer 20

Open and closed questions

Question 21

What are open questions?

Answer 21

Questions that allow participants to answer in their own words

Question 22

What are closed questions?

Answer 22

Questions that provide participants with a choice of responses

Question 23

What is the advantage and disadvantage of asking open questions?

Answer 23

+Produces rich, detailed data which is more likely to reflect a participants true feelings

-Data is difficult to analyse and potentially subjective

Question 24

What is the advantage and disadvantage to asking closed questions?

Answer 24

+Data can be statistically analysed and is easy to compare

-Data may not be as accurate as participants may feel forced into selecting an option that does not reflect their view

Question 25

What are the 3 styles of closed question?

Answer 25

-Likert scales
-Rating scales
-Fixed choice questions

Question 26

What is a Likert scale?

Answer 26

Where the participant indicates the extent to which they agree with a statement

Question 27

What is a rating scale?

Answer 27

Where the participant indicates the extent they agree with a statement using numerical values

Question 28

What are fixed choice questions?

Answer 28

Where participants select one or more options that apply

Question 29

What are 3 strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 29

-Large amounts of data can be collected quickly
-Less investigator bias as researcher is absent during completion of questionnaire
-Can be less time consuming than an interview

Question 30

What are 3 limitations of questionnaires?

Answer 30

-Participants may respond in ways that portray them in a positive light (social desirability bias)
-Sample may be biased
-Participants are more likely to answer yes to a question than no (acquiescence bias)

Question 31

What is an interview?

Answer 31

When a participant verbally answers a series of questions in real time

Question 32

What are the three types of interview?

Answer 32

Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured

Question 33

What is a structured interview?

Answer 33

When the interviewer asks a set of pre prepared questions in a fixed order

Question 34

What are 2 strengths of a structured interview?

Answer 34

-Procedure is standardised so is easier to repeat
-Less time consuming

Question 35

What are 2 weaknesses of a structured interview?

Answer 35

-It is not possible to follow up unexpected issues that arise in the interview so the amount of useful data that can be collected is restricted
-Social desirability bias

Question 36

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 36

Interviewers ask some pre-set questions which can be developed based on participant’s responses

Question 37

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 37

A more flexible ‘conversation type’ format where the interviewer doesn’t ask a rigid set of questions

Question 38

What are 2 strengths of an unstructured interview?

Answer 38

-Participants may feel more comfortable and will therefore respond in an open and honest way
-Detailed information can be obtained

Question 39

What are 3 limitations of an unstructured interview?

Answer 39

-Interpretation of data can be subjective and difficult to analyse
-More time consuming
-Social desirability bias

Question 40

What are 6 components of interview design?

Answer 40

o Questions should be clear, relevant and ethical
o Instructions should be clear and unambiguous
o Interviewer should avoid bias by treating all participants in the same way
o Appearance of the interviewer can affect how comfortable the participant feels
o Interviewers must decide when and how to record data from the interview so they can concentrate on communicating effectively with the participant
o Researchers should conduct a pilot study