Methods and techniques

• What are the three main types of experiments?

  Lab, field, and natural experiments
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High internal validity
  • Controlled variables

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low ecological validity
  • Artificial setting
• What is a field experiment?


  A field experiment is conducted in a natural environment
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Higher ecological validity
  • Real-life setting

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lower internal validity
  • Difficult to replicate
• What is a natural experiment?


  A natural experiment studies independent variables that occur naturally
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments?


  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • Useful for studying naturally occurring events

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of control over variables
  • No random allocation of participants
• What are the three types of experimental design?


  1. Repeated measures
  2. Independent groups
  3. Matched pairs
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design?


  Strengths:

  • Fewer participants needed
  • No participant variables

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Risk of order effects
  • Increased chance of demand characteristics
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of independent groups design?


  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Reduced demand characteristics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • More participants needed
  • No control of participant variables
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design?


  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Reduced demand characteristics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Time-consuming to match participants
  • Large number of participants needed
• What is naturalistic observation?


  Watching and recording naturally occurring behavior
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic observation?


  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • No demand characteristics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Cannot control extraneous variables
  • Low reliability
• What is controlled observation?


  Observation where extraneous variables are controlled
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of controlled observation?


  Strengths:

  • Higher control over variables
  • Easier to replicate

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low ecological validity
  • Chance of demand characteristics
• What are the two types of observations?

  1. Participant observation
  2. Non-participant observation
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation?


  Strengths:

  • Greater insight into the group
  • Rich qualitative data

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Possible investigator effects
  • Less objectivity
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of non-participant observation?


  Strengths:

  • No investigator effects
  • More objective

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Less insight into the group
  • Possible demand characteristics
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of overt observation?


  Strengths:

  • No ethical issues
  • Participants are aware of being observed

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Possible demand characteristics
  • Less natural behavior
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of covert observation?


  Strengths:

  • No demand characteristics
  • More natural behavior

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ethical issues
  • Participants are unaware of being observed
• What is event sampling?


  • Counting the number of times a specific behavior occurs in a target individual
• What is time sampling?


  • Recording behaviors in a given time frame, e.g., every 30 seconds
• What are behavioral categories in observational research?


  • Dividing a target behavior into specific, operationalized behaviors for valid data collection
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires?


  Strengths:

  • Cost-effective
  • Easy to analyze quantitative data

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Demand characteristics
  • Response bias
• What are the three types of interviews?

  1. Structured
  2. Unstructured
  3. Semi-structured
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews?


  Strengths:

  • Predetermined questions
  • Easy to analyze

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Less flexibility
  • May miss important information
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews?


  Strengths:

  • Rich qualitative data
  • More natural conversation

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Harder to analyze
  • Time-consuming
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of semi-structured interviews?


  Strengths:

  • Mix of structured and unstructured
  • Flexibility in questioning

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Time-consuming
  • Potential for interviewer bias
• What are the two types of questions in interviews?

  1. Open questions
  2. Closed questions
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of open questions?


  Strengths:

  • Allows detailed responses
  • Produces qualitative data

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Harder to analyze
  • Time-consuming
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of closed questions?


  Strengths:

  • Easy to analyze
  • Produces quantitative data

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited responses
  • May not capture full opinion
• What are the main flaws in the underage drinking questionnaire?

  • Leading questions
  • Vague questions
  • Double-barreled questions
• What is a case study?


  • An in-depth study of an individual or small group to uncover unique insights
• Who is a famous individual studied through a case study?

  Genie Wiley
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of case studies?


  Strengths:

  • Greater detail and qualitative data
  • High ecological validity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • No control over variables
  • Difficult to replicate
• What are the ethical issues to consider in case studies?


  • Impact on the participant's mental health
  • Researcher-participant relationship
• What is content analysis?


  • An observational study of behavior in written or verbal material
• What are the stages of content analysis?


  1. Collect qualitative data
  2. Create coding units
  3. Tally data
  4. Analyze quantitative data
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of content analysis?


  Strengths:

  • Fewer ethical issues
  • Combines qualitative and quantitative data

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited insight
  • Possible observer bias
• What is thematic analysis?


  • A qualitative approach identifying recurrent themes in data