Unit 5: Non-Experimental Research: Observational, Archival, and Case-Study Research

Question 1

non-experimental research

Answer 1

When the researcher has less than complete control over the independent variable, or cannot randomly assign subjects to groups. Often qualitative.

Question 2

correlational research

Answer 2

Another name for non-experimental research. Describes correlation between variables, but can not tell whether one causes the other. Establishes that there is a relationship, but can not tell what it is. (Can indicate possible causes - good for future research ideas).

Question 3

naturalistic observation

Answer 3

Observing subjects in their natural environment without intervening.

Question 4

participant observation

Answer 4

Researcher becomes a part of a group in order to make their observations. Deceit is often used = ethical issues around consent. Often for small, closed groups.

Question 5

inter-observer reliability

Answer 5

To what degree do two observers’ observations agree. High agreement increases the validity of the findings.

Question 6

role demand

Answer 6

When a subject changes their behaviour to what they think the researcher wants to see.

Question 7

observer bias

Answer 7

Biases of the researcher that influence the observations they make. Leads to ‘systematic errors’. Best avoided by keeping the researcher blind.

Question 8

unobtrusive measures

Answer 8

No attempt to intervene or influence the situation

Question 9

reactive measures

Answer 9

subjects know there is a researcher and change their behaviour in response

Question 10

physical traces

Answer 10

physical indicators of past behaviour. Ex. objects left lying around, wear and tear.

Question 11

archival data

Answer 11

data obtained from records or documents kept by individuals/institutions that the researcher had no part in collecting.

Question 12

content analysis

Answer 12

analysis of textual or graphic records (ex. newspapers)

Question 13

manifest content

Answer 13

In content analysis, counting the occurrences of some objective measure

Question 14

latent content

Answer 14

In content analysis, recording the themes as interpreted by the researcher

Question 15

case study

Answer 15

an intensive study and analysis of an individual subject, case, event, or occurrence of a phenomenon.

Question 16

What distinguishes non-experimental from experimental research?

Answer 16

In experimental, the researcher manipulates an independent variable and measures the effect on the independent variable, to describe and understand the cause-effect relationship between the two.
In non-experimental, the researcher does not have control over the independent variable, so can only establish correlation not causation, or has to give up some control in order to access the data (ex. archival).

Question 17

Why is non-experimental research often called correlational research?

Answer 17

Because the researcher does not have control over manipulating the independent variable, cause and effect relationships can not be determined. Only correlational effects can be observed, in which other variable may be influencing the dependent variable.

Question 18

What are several common varieties of non-experimental research.

Answer 18

1. Observational (naturalistic observation, participant observation, physical traces)
2. archival
3. case study
4. surveys

Question 19

How is naturalistic observation different from the casual observation that most people do?

Answer 19

Has the intention of describing correlations in behaviour, but is non-intrusive, non-reactive. Participants do not know they are being observed, so they don’t respond to the presence of the researcher.

Question 20

What are three common ways of sampling behaviours in observational research.

Answer 20

1. time sampling
2. event sampling
3. situation sampling

Question 21

What is time sampling?

Answer 21

A sampling technique in observational research.
Selecting time intervals at which points to make sample observations of behaviour
a) Systematic
b) Random
c) Random within systematic

Question 22

What is event sampling?

Answer 22

A sampling technique in observational research.

Record all instances of a particular kind of infrequent event.

Question 23

What is situation sampling?

Answer 23

A sampling technique in observational research.

Observing a selected behaviour in as many situations and circumstances as possible.

Question 24

When is physical trace research useful?

Answer 24

Physical trace research is useful when you want to conduct observational research without subjects reacting the the researcher’s presence.
The activity has already happened - no confounding.

Question 25

Identify and describe the two common forms of physical traces, and give an example of each.

Answer 25

Use traces - wear and tear patterns.

Product traces - presence/absence of objects.

Question 26

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using physical traces as measures to test hypotheses about people’s past behaviour?

Answer 26

Advantage: non-reactive
Disadvantage: there are other factors that influence the presence/absence of traces - must use in combination with direct observations.

Question 27

Under what conditions is participant-observer research useful?

Answer 27

• small groups
• little is known about them
• they are not open to public view

Question 28

Describe the ethical problems that participant-observer research poses.

Answer 28

• researcher can change the dynamic just by being there (even in disguise)
• violates privacy, no informed consent

Question 29

What are the advantages and disadvantages in conducting archival research?

Answer 29

Advantages: avoids collecting redundant data; access to data that may now be considered unethical
Disadvantages: data wasn’t collected for the same purpose - may not be exactly the data needed; may be biased; hard to rule out confounding variables.

Question 30

What problems are associated with analyzing archival data? What steps can researchers take to reduce these problems?

Answer 30

Latent content analysis is subjective
Manifest content analysis can contain errors
Best to use two coders

Question 31

Outline the characteristics of case studies.

Answer 31

They examine individual instances or phenomenon in depth. They often include archival and observational analysis.

Question 32

What is the difference between research method and research procedure?

Answer 32

Research method is a broader term that encompasses all aspects of the study, including logic of the design and steps for carrying it out.
Research procedure is only the steps for translating the design into practice. Detailed. Includes protocol: list of all steps the subjects will go through.

Question 33

Why is it necessary to conduct a pilot study?

Answer 33

A pilot study is a small-scale, tentative study used to identify errors and modify the design and procedures.