questionnaires, case studies, interviews

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

-an in depth detailed investigation of an individual or small group, often involving analysis of unusual individuals or events.

Question 2

What are the advantages of using a case study?

Answer 2

-rich detail- can help shed light on both specific and general psychological issues.
-only possible method to use- allow psychologists to study unique behaviours

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of using a case study?

Answer 3

• lack population validity
  -researcher may have been biased in their interpretation or reporting method

Question 4

What are the two main types of interview?

Answer 4

–structured/ formal
-unstructured/ informal

Question 5

What are the key characteristics of a structured interview?

Answer 5

-there is a pre-determined set of questions asked in a fixed order
-interviews are identical for all participants

Question 6

What are the strengths of an interview?

Answer 6

-Complex/ sensitive issues are best dealt with face
-the variety and flexibility allows for analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data
-can explain if a participant misunderstands a question
-structured interviews are easy to replicate
-unstructured interviews can help build a rapport

Question 7

What are the limitations of an interview?

Answer 7

-interviewer effects- interviewers can bias respondents answers
-ethical issues especially if participants dont know the true purpose
-may be demand characteristics as it is face to face

Question 8

What are the key characteristics of an unstructured interview?

Answer 8

-less controlled
-topic is pre-determined but direction of interview generally isnt- interviewer can explore certain areas with follow-up questions so more detailed answers can be received

Question 9

What are the characteristics of a closed question? strengths? weaknesses?

Answer 9

-responses are fixed by the researcher
-usually multiple choice/ tick box questions such as ‘yes or no’ and ‘always, usually, never’ etc
-tend to be more simple and quantitative

-data is usually easier to manage/ analyse

-restrict answers, do not allow elaboration

Question 10

What are the characteristics of an open question? Strength? Limitation?

Answer 10

-allow participants to answer in their own words

-allow freedom of expression and to obtain greater depth/ insight

-harder to analyse

Question 11

What are the strengths of a questionnaire?

Answer 11

• quick and cheap
  -large samples
  -quantitative and qualitative analysis
  -easy to replicate

Question 12

What are the limitations of a questionnaire?

Answer 12

• may be misunderstandings
  -biased samples
  -potentially low response rate
  -demand characteristics

Question 13

Examples of what to avoid in questionnaire questions?

Answer 13

• double barrel questions
  -asking for personal details that may make the participant easily identifiable
  -inappropriate scales
  -a scale that is too ambiguous/subjective
  -loaded/ uncomfortable questions
  -informality