Types of research Flashcards
What is longitudinal research?
1
- Study takes place over months/yrs so effects of time can be studied
What are the pros of longitudinal research?
2
- Test-retest reliability
- Ppt variables controlled (repeated measures design)
What is cross-sectional research?
1
- Compares behaviours of different cross-sections of pop: differing ages, professional groups
What is the main pro of cross-sectional research?
1
- Useful in comparing other groups of people (culture)
What is cross-cultural research?
1
- Compares behaviours in diff cultures (belief/norms)
What are the pros of cross-cultural research?
2
- Investigate nature-nurture debate e.g. cultural differences
- Non bias knowledge of human behaviour, not data from western world (white upper class ppt)
What is a meta-analysis?
1
- Results of several studies addressing similar aims are combined
What are the pros of meta-analysis?
2
- ^Validity of conclusions, ^sample size
- Generalisable (covers many cross-sections)
What are the pros of primary data?
2
- Suits aims of study
- Authentic, comes first-hand from ppt
What are the pros of secondary data?
2
- Access larger data sets
- Saves time/cost in designing/validating methods
What is ethnocentrism?
1
- Assume behaviours observed in our group are the way everyone behaves
What are the cons of longitudinal research?
2
- Cohort effects, unique characteristics
- Attrition, kinds of people ^likely drop out than others (final sample biased)
What are the cons of cross sectional research?
2
- Ppt variables not controlled
- Cohort effects, differences between 2 groups
What are the cons of cross cultural research?
2
- Western psychologists bias to others
- Western procedures/items used = >valid in other culture, others look abnormal/inferior (imposed etic)
What are the cons of meta-analysis?
2
- Selection bias, ^inclined to + results
- Final effect size meaningless if comprising studies use diff methods
