Theory And Methods Flashcards
What are the 2 types of experiments
Laboratory and field
Who prefers which experiment
Positivists (laboratory) interpretivists (field)
What are 2 strengths of lab experiments
Highly reliable
Hypothesis can be tested in a controlled environment
What are 2 strengths of field experiments
High in validity
No Hawthorne effect
What are 3 weaknesses of lab experiments
Low validity
Hawthorne effect
Artificial, can’t be transferred
What are 3 weaknesses of field experiments
Less control over variables
Not ethical, consent can’t be gained
Limited application
What are questionnaires
A set list of questions asked the same way every time
Usually self completion
What are some strengths of questionnaires
Cheap and quick
Less intrusive
Familiar method (used a lot)
High in reliability
What are some weaknesses of questionnaires
Low response rate
Time consuming to analyse
Sensitive topics
Closed- lack validity
Open- lack reliability
Who prefers closed questionnaires
Positivists
Who prefers open questionnaires
Interpretivists
What is an interview
A meeting or discussion where questions are asked to extract information/ perspectives
What are structured interviews and who prefers them
A set list of questions
(Positivists)
What are unstructured interviews and who are they preferred by
No pre-set questions, flows like a conversation (interpretivists)
What are some strengths of structured interviews
Cheap
Highly reliable
Quick to conduct
Less bias
