non-experimental research methods
- Created by: nataliacamille
- Created on: 09-12-13 18:24
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- Non-experimental research methods
- observations
- definition: a study based solely on observing behaviour, which is recorded
- Positives:
- low demand characteristics (Ps don't know they're being watched)
- high validity (natural behaviour)
- high ecological validity
- no invasion of privacy
- often only practical/ethical method
- Negatives:
- not very reliable as hard to replicate
- time consuming
- ethical issues: no consent, discomfort, can't withderaw
- subjectivity of observer - different interpretations, could miss behaviour
- no control
- types of observation
- naturalistic observation: in natural environment
- controlled observation: in controlled env. (strange situation)
- participant observation: researcher part of group they are researching
- use of categories = more consistent as less subjective
- Self Reports
- questionnaires
- definition: Ps answer set of written questions
- positives:
- easily repeated
- Ps more honest due to anonymity
- v. quick to do + gain large samples
- Negatives
- social desirability
- Types: open + closed Qs
- definition: participants tell their own thoughts/behaviours
- interviews
- definition: a researcher asks Ps questions face to face
- Positives
- follow-up Qs can be asked to clarify
- Qs can be tailored to P
- Negatives
- answers may be influences by interviewer
- social desirability
- types
- structured: Qs decided beforehand
- unstructured: unplanned Qs guided by P's answers
- clinical: semi-structured (a few standard Qs
- questionnaires
- correlation
- types: positive, negative, no correlation
- correlation coefficient: strength and direction of correlation
- ALWAYS between -1 and 1
- either strong/weak negative, or strong/weak positive
- definition: looking at the relationship between covariables
- weaknesses
- doesn't determine cause + effect relationship (no variables manipulated)
- may be 3rd unknown variable affecting relationship
- observations
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