Non-experimental methods

Question 1

strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews

Answer 1

• can be replicated, increases reliability
• time consuming
• lacks qualitative data, so why someone does something instead of a yes or no answer

Question 2

strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews

Answer 2

• detailed responses
• info can not be replicated and people’s responses cannot be easily compared
• understand why participants act a way
• TIME CONSUMING

Question 3

strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 3

• best suited for yes or no questions
• can be replicated very easily
• questions could be unclear so they misunderstand and answer incorrectly
• participants may not answer truthfully because responses are affected by social desirability bias
• limits info gathered

Question 4

strengths and weaknesses of case studies

Answer 4

• provides detailed info
• changes in behaviour can be observed and observers may be able to understand changes in behaviour
• weakness is that it targets a single individual which makes it difficult to generalise the findings to others
• data is subjective and ethical issues