Test 3 Flashcards
A research that lacks the manipulation of an independent variable
Non-experimental research
Non-experimental research features:
- Researchers measure variables as they naturally occur
2. Cannot make casual conclusions
If goal is to explain and research is for casual relationship use…
experimental approach
If goal is to describe or predict then use…
non-experimental approach
Types of Non-Experimental Research
- Correlational research
- Observational Research :
e. g cross sectional studies, longitudinal studies, cross-sequential studies
Non experimental because it focuses on the statistical relationship between two variables, but does not include the manipulation of an IV. Most common type of non-experimental research
Correlational Research
Non-experimental because it focuses on recording systemic observations of behaviour in a natural or laboratory setting without manipulating anything ( usually more qualitative in nature)
Observational Research
Studies that include comparing two or more pre-exisitng groups of people (eg. kids of different stages)
Cross-sectional studies
Difference between groups may reflect the generation that people come from rather than a direct effect of age
Cohort effect
Studies in which one group of people are followed over time as they age
Longitudinal studies
Studies in which researchers follow people in different age groups in a smaller period of time
Cross-sequential studies
Internal validity ordering
Correlational - Quasi-experimental - Experimental (highest)
Why is correlational research used?
- Do. not believe a statistical relationship is causal/not interested in causal relationships
- Cannot manipulate IV (impossible, impractical, unethical)
- Establish reliability and validity of measurements
- Want high external validity to reflect a relationship that exists in the real world.
- Provide converging evidence for a theory
Pearson’s r correlation coefficient
A statistic that measures the strength of a correlation between quantitative variables.
- most correlations in psychology research are small or moderate in size (except reliability coefficients)
Why is Pearson’s r misleading?
- Relationship is non-linear
- Restriction of range = one of both variables have a limited range in the sample relative to the population, making the value of the correlation coefficient misleading
Correlation does not imply causation. Why?
- Directionality problem
2. Third variable problem
Directionality problem
Where two variables X and Y are statistically related either cause X causes Y or because Y causes X, and thus the causal direction of the effect cannot be known
Third variable problem
Two variables, X and Y, can be statistically related not because X causes Y or because Y causes X, but because some third variable Z causes both X and Y
Spurrous correlations
Correlations that are not a result of the two variables being measured, but rather because of a third unmeasured variable that affects both the measured variables.
Qualitative Research Design
- In depth info about relatively few people
- Conclusions based on interpretations drawn by the investigator
- Global and exploratory
Quantitative Research Design
- Less depth information with larger sample
- Conclusions are based on statistical analyses
- Specific and focused
- Not good at generating novel and interesting research questions
- Not good at describing lived experience of member of group in specific situation
Qualitative research data collection
- Observations
- Archival data
- Artwork
- Interviews (structured or unstructured)
- Focus groups
Data analysis method main way of distinguishing quantitative and qualitative research
Grounded theory = researchers start with the data and develop a theory or an interpretation that is ‘grounded in’ these data. Developed from sociology in 1960
Process of grounded theory
- Identify ideas repeated throughout data
- organise ideas into smaller number of broader themes
- write a theoretical narrative (interpretation of the data in terms of the themes a researcher has identified)
