Unit 2: Types of Research

Question 1

To explore cause and effect

Answer 1

Experiments

Question 2

Strengths: Manipulate one or more factors, use random assignment
Weaknesses: Sometimes not feasible, results may generalize, not ethical to manipulate certain variables

Answer 2

Experiments

Question 3

To detect naturally occurring relationships, to assess how well one variable predicts another.

Answer 3

Correlational Studies

Question 4

Strengths: Collect data on two or more variables, no manipulation
Weaknesses: Cannot specify cause and effect

Answer 4

Correlational Studies

Question 5

Participants answer a set of questions posed to them by a researcher - investigates characteristics, behaviors, opinions

Answer 5

Survey

Question 6

Strengths: Able to take a “quick pulse” of people’s beliefs, behaviors, or opinions. Able to include many cases.
Weaknesses: Response bias, working effects can skew outcomes. Acquiring random samples is hard, cannot determine cause/effect.

Answer 6

Surveys

Question 7

Observing subjects in their natural environment

Answer 7

Naturalistic Observations

Question 8

Strengths: Subjects behave normally outside of a lab setting. Data collection is unobtrusive.
Weaknesses: Independent variable cannot be isolated. Cannot determine cause and effect, observations are subjective.

Answer 8

Naturalistic Observations

Question 9

In-depth study of an individual or small group.

Answer 9

Case Studies

Question 10

Strengths: Allows for examination of rare or unusual behavior. Provide a large amount of qualitative data.
Weaknesses: Results from 1 cannot generalize on a larger group. Cannot determine cause and effect, atypical cases are misleading.

Answer 10

Cause Studies

Question 11

Study that follows the same group of people fro a set amount of time.

Answer 11

Longitudinal Studies

Question 12

Strengths: Establishes correct sequence of events, identify change over time, provide inside into cause and effect relationships.
Weaknesses: Expensive, time consuming

Answer 12

Longitudinal Studies

Question 13

Examines people of different groups at the same time, differ in a variable but share other characteristics.

Answer 13

Cross-sectional Studies

Question 14

Strengths: Allows researchers to compare many different variables at the same time.
Weaknesses: Inability to determine cause and effect, potential for survey bias

Answer 14

Cross-sectional Studies