methods

• overt - open about conducting research

  • benefits - collects detailed and in-depth qualitative data that has high validity
  • drawbacks - the group may change their behaviour due to the fact that they are being observed (the hawthorne effect)
• covert - closed off about collecting data

  • benefits - allows researchers to see participants in their natural environment; improving the validity
  • drawbacks - may lead to a significant number of ethical issues
• structured interviews - predetermined questions asked by interviewers which have fixed answers
• longitudinal studies - a study of the same group of people over a period of time

  • benefits - lots of depth and detail
  • drawbacks - difficult to manage & time consuming
• interviews

  • benefits - the researcher can speak face to face with the participant
  • drawbacks - expensive & interviewer bias
• questionnaires

  • benefits - relatively easy and cheap to complete & highly reliable
  • drawbacks - closed questions lead to invalidity & low response rate
• mixed method approach

  • using more than one method of research