Research methods Flashcards
(18 cards)
what is a case study
a detailed study of a particular person/persons or event, usually yielding a large amount of information
what is content analysis
a research tool used to determine the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts within some given qualitative data
what is a controlled observation
where the participants are observed in a lab, increasing control and reliability but decreasing ecological validity
what is correlation
the extent to which two variables are associated
what is a covert observation
where the observer is hidden and therefore participants do not know they are being observed. while this does reduce demand characteristics, it can raise ethical issues around consent
what is an experiment
a type of investigation wherein a hypothesis is tested by manipulation of an independent variable, in order to view its effect on the dependent variable.
what is a field experiment
conducted in a real life setting, which reduces the amount of control over extraneous variables, however the ecological validity is improved
what are interviews
a self report technique wherein participants are asked questions by an interviewer, which allows for flexibility in the information gathered
what is a lab experiment
a type of experiment that is conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity
what is a natural experiment
where an independent variable that already exists is tested in its natural environment, greatly reducing the control of extraneous variables. this type of experiment allows for investigation of variables that cannot ethically be created
what is a naturalistic observation
where participants are observed in their natural environment, increasing ecological validity but decreasing the amount of control over extraneous variables
what is a non participant observation
where the observer does not join the group under observation. this allows for higher objectivity but reduces the insight that could be achieved with a participant observation
what is an observation
a type of data collection herein participants behaviour is observed
what is an overt observation
where the participants know they are under observation. this preserves informed consent but may increase demand characteristics
what is participant observation
where the observer joins the group under observation. this form of observation yields highly valuable qualitative information with insight, but can reduce the objectivity of the researcher
what are questionnaires
a self report technique wherein participants answer pre-decided questions, in the form of paper of electronically. this allows for anonymity.
what are structured interviews
a form of interview wherein questions are pre-set beforehand, with no flexibility. usually, these consist of closed questions, and allows for replicability
what are unstructured interviews
a form of interview wherein questions may be set beforehand, but the interviewer is allowed flexibility in the form of a natural conversation
