Research Designs Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is experimental design
Tests whether one variable causes a change in another.
includes:
control group/experimental group
independent/dependent variable, extraneous
Elements include controlled setting, random allocation, hypothesis testing
advantages/disadvantages of experimental design
easy replication, cause and effect
may be unethical, not represent population
what is quantitative observational design
used when preexisting criteria or characteristics are present e.g. gender, ethnicity etc
has IV and DV
groups not randomly allocated
usually done in natural setting
advantages/disadvantages of quantitative observational
can study unethical variables in a natural setting
greater chance of extraneous variables, hard to replicate
what is a focus group
a group interview with discussion between participants, facilitator guides discussion, not experts in topic
what is delphi technique
self administered questionnaires and feedback to obtain experts’ opinions.
advantages/disadvantages of delphi technique
convenient, rich data, useful when little is known about topic
cannot generalise results, personal bias/extraneous variables
what are self report methods
used when researchers want info about thoughts, feelings and emotions.
can be written/spoken answers to questions, participants give their own answers (free response) or there area a range of answers to choose from (fixed response).
what is objective quantitative
standardised tests, body functions, behaviour counts.
cannot argue with results, they are hard facts.
what is subjective quantitative
rating scales 1 - 10
questionnaires, yes/no, multiple choice
advantages/disadvantages of quantitative
controlled conditions
doesnt explain results, only shows numbers, still may be biased if it is subjective
advantages/disadvantages of qualitative
provides rich data, starting point, can get expert opinion (delphi technique)
usually subjective
