research methords Flashcards
what are the five research approaches?
experimental
correlational
case study
longitudinal
cross sectional
describe experimental research including strengths and weaknesses
Purpose: Experimental research aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables by manipulating one variable (independent variable) and observing its effect on another variable (dependent variable) while controlling for extraneous factors (age/gender).
Design: In experimental research, researchers manipulate the independent variable(s) and randomly assign participants to different conditions or groups to control for confounding variables. The experimental group receives the treatment or intervention, while the control group does not, allowing for comparison.
Strengths: Experimental research allows for precise control over variables, enabling researchers to establish causality. It can provide strong evidence for the effectiveness of interventions or treatments.
Limitations: Experimental research may lack ecological validity as it often takes place in artificial laboratory settings. Ethical considerations may limit the types of experiments that can be conducted, especially when involving human participants.
describe correlational research including strengths and weaknesses
Purpose: Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them. It assesses the degree and direction of association between variables.
Design: Correlational studies involve measuring variables as they naturally occur, without intervention or manipulation by the researcher.
Strengths: Correlational research provides valuable insights into naturally occurring relationships between variables in real-world settings. It allows researchers to identify patterns and make predictions based on observed associations.
Limitations: Correlational research cannot establish causality, as it does not involve manipulation of variables or control over extraneous factors. Third variables (confounding variables) may influence the observed correlations, leading to spurious or misleading results.
describe case study research including strengths and weaknesses
Purpose: Case study research involves in-depth investigation and analysis of a single individual, group, event, or phenomenon. It aims to provide detailed descriptions and insights into specific cases.
Design: Case studies typically involve qualitative data collection methods, such as interviews, observations, and document analysis. Researchers gather rich, detailed information about the case under study and analyze it using qualitative analysis techniques.
Strengths: Case studies allow for in-depth exploration of complex phenomena and the context in which they occur. They provide rich, detailed data that can generate hypotheses and inform theory development.
Limitations: Case studies are often limited in generalizability, as findings may not be applicable to other cases or populations. They may be subject to researcher bias or interpretation, and it can be challenging to establish reliability and validity in qualitative data analysis.so it is not generaliable as its not reproducible as that would be unethical.
describe longitudinal research including strengths and weaknesses
Definition: Longitudinal studies follow the same subjects or cohort over an extended period, with repeated measurements taken at multiple time points, allowing researchers to track changes within individuals over time.
Measurements are taken at baseline and then at subsequent follow-up points, which could be months or years apart). This allows researchers to observe how variables change over time within individuals.
Assessment of Change: Longitudinal studies are particularly useful for assessing patterns of change, growth, or decline over time, as well as examining the long-term effects of exposures or interventions.
Strengths: Longitudinal studies help us figure out how things change over time in people’s lives, and they help us understand what causes these changes as time goes by.
Limitations: Longitudinal studies can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. loss to follow-up may occur over time, potentially biasing the results and reducing reliability.
describe cross-sectional research including strengths and weaknesses
Definition: Cross-sectional studies collect data from a population at a single point in time or over a relatively short period.
Data Collection: In cross-sectional studies, data are collected from different individuals at one specific time point, providing a snapshot of the population at that moment.
Timing of Measurements: Cross-sectional studies involve assessing variables of interest at a single time point, without follow-up measurements over time.
Assessment of Change: Cross-sectional studies examine associations between variables at a specific point in time, allowing researchers to describe prevalence, patterns, and relationships among variables within a population.
Strengths: Cross-sectional studies are relatively quick and efficient to conduct, making them suitable for studying prevalent conditions or examining associations between variables at a single time point.
Limitations: Cross-sectional studies cannot establish temporal relationships or causality between variables, as data are collected at a single time point. They may also be subject to recall bias and cannot capture changes or developments within individuals over time.
