adv/ disadv of research methods

• strengths of questionnaires

  • standardisation (same questions)
  • anonymity of PPs
  • large sample size
• In participant observations, participants may know they are being studied. what is this weakness known as?

  Hawthorne effect
• weaknesses of questionnaires

  • lack of context in answers
  • limited depth
  • low response rates
• strengths of structured interviews

  • standardisation
  • in depth data
• weaknesses of structured interviews

  • limited flexibility- cannot explore topics in depth
  • sample bias- PPs selected based on specific characteristics
  • limited insights
• strengths of unstructured interviews

  • rich data
  • participant led
  • flexibility
• weaknesses of unstructured interviews

  • lack of standardisation
  • time consuming
  • subjectivity- relies on researchers interpretation of data, leads to bias
• strengths of semi structured interviews

  • flexibility
  • participant led
  • rich data
• weaknesses of semi structured interviews

  • time consuming
  • subjectivity
  • limited generalisability (PPs answers may not represent broader population)
• strengths of focus groups

  • cost effective
  • diversity of perspectives
  • participant led
• weaknesses of focus groups

  • limited generalisability
  • difficulty managing group dynamics (PPs may have different views to each other- can lead to inaccuracy)
  • limited depth (PPs may not feel comfortable sharing experiences on sensitive topics)
• strengths of participant observation

  • rich data
  • access to hidden or hard to reach groups
• weaknesses of participant observation

  • time consuming
  • limited generalisability (not generalisable to broader population)
  • subjectivity (relies on researcher's interpretations)
• strengths of non participant observation

  • objective data (researcher not directly involved)
  • ethics (fewer concerns about informed consent and confidentiality)
  • flexibility
• weaknesses of non participant observations

  • limited depth of data
  • lack of context
  • limited generalisability
• strengths of ethnographic study

  • rich data
  • in depth understanding
  • holistic view (researcher looks at social, cultural and economic factors that influence PPs behaviour)
• weaknesses of ethnographic study

  • time consuming
  • ethical concerns
  • subjectivity
• strengths of longitudinal study

  • rich data
  • insight into development of individuals (e.g socialisation)
  • generalisability
• weaknesses of longitudinal study

  • time consuming
  • researcher bias
  • attrition (PPs may drop out of study)
• strengths of secondary methods

  • cost and time effective
  • changes over time can be analysed
  • large samples can be used to collect data (e.g census)
• weaknesses of secondary methods

  • study may not be relevant
  • unknown procedure (hard to know if study was carried out well)