Non-experimental Research Methods

Question 1

What are non-experimental research methods?

Answer 1

A type of research that lacks an independent variable

Question 2

Give two strengths of non-experimental research methods

Answer 2

• flexible meaning it can be applied to lots of areas of research
• cause of phenomenon is known and information is gained through investigation

Question 3

Give two weaknesses of non-experimental research methods

Answer 3

• groups are not always representative of entire population
• no cause and effect relationship established

Question 4

What is an observation?

Answer 4

Non-experimental method where researchers watch and/or listen to participants

Question 5

What are the 6 types of observation?

Answer 5

• participant
• non-participant
• naturalistic
• controlled
• overt
• covert

Question 6

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 6

Observing people in their usual setting without interference

Question 7

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 7

Laboratory setting with all pp experiencing identical procedures

Question 8

What is a participant observation?

Answer 8

Researcher goes undercover to join a group they wish to observe

Question 9

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 9

When a researcher observes from a distance

Question 10

What is a covert observation?

Answer 10

Pp don’t know they are being observed

Question 11

What is an overt observation?

Answer 11

Pp know they are being observed

Question 12

Give one strength of controlled observations

Answer 12

Extraneous variables are controlled which makes replication easier

Question 13

Give one weakness of controlled observations

Answer 13

Prone to demand characteristics

Question 14

Give one strength of naturalistic observations

Answer 14

High external validity

Question 15

Give one weakness of naturalistic observations

Answer 15

No control over extraneous variables which could influence behaviour

Question 16

Give one strength of covert observations

Answer 16

High external validity

Question 17

Give one weakness of covert observations?

Answer 17

Unethical as lack of informed consent

Question 18

Give one strength of overt observations

Answer 18

No ethical issues

Question 19

Give one weakness of overt observations

Answer 19

Demand characteristics as pp may change behaviour if they work out why the researcher is observing

Question 20

Give one strength of participant observations

Answer 20

High external validity

Question 21

Give one weakness of participant observations

Answer 21

Unreliable as behaviours can’t be recorded as they occur

Question 22

Give one strength of non-participant observations

Answer 22

High external validity

Question 23

Give one weakness of non-participant observations

Answer 23

Subject to observer bias

Question 24

What is a case study?

Answer 24

In depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community

Question 25

Give two strengths of case studies

Answer 25

- provide rich and detailed data - allow for investigation of atypical or rare behaviours

Question 26

Give two weaknesses of case studies

Answer 26

- cannot generalise findings to wider population - people may incorrectly recall an event

Question 27

What are the two self-report methods?

Answer 27

- questionnaires - interviews

Question 28

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 28

Written questions designed to collect information about a certain topic

Question 29

What is an interview?

Answer 29

Face to face questions conducted in real time with interviewer

Question 30

Give two strengths of questionnaires

Answer 30

- fast and cost-effective way of gathering data - closed questions allow for fast comparison

Question 31

Give two weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 31

- time consuming to create - data is invalidated if pp don’t understand a question

Question 32

Give two strengths of interviews

Answer 32

- easy to replicate (structured questions) - developed, detailed answers given (unstructured)

Question 33

Give two weaknesses of interviews

Answer 33

- social desirability bias due to face-to-face nature - hard to compare answers (unstructured)

Question 34

What is thematic analysis?

Answer 34

A research tool to identify emerging trends in data

Question 35

Give two strengths of thematic analysis

Answer 35

- allows common themes to be identified - can be used for any method collecting qualitative data

Question 36

Give two weaknesses of thematic analysis

Answer 36

- time consuming - open to interpreter error

Question 37

What is content analysis?

Answer 37

Data collection tool that converts qualitative data into quantitative data (information analysed and recorded in a category)

Question 38

Give two strengths of content analysis

Answer 38

- flexible (can be adapted to produce quantitative data) - high ecological validity (based on observations of what people usually do)

Question 39

Give two weaknesses of content analysis

Answer 39

- lacks objectivity as categories are created - open to misinterpretation and error

Question 40

What is a pilot study?

Answer 40

Small scale trial run of a study completed before the actual research is carried out

Question 41

Give two reasons why you would conduct a pilot study

Answer 41

- to check if the IV is manipulated correctly - to check if you have selected best method to measure DV