Types of research methods Flashcards
(15 cards)
what are the 3 types of experiment?
lab
field
natural
what is a lab experiment?
an experiment carried out in a controlled setting
what are the (2) pros and (3) cons of lab experiments
\+ easy to control the variables \+ easily replicated - artificial - demand characteristics - lack of mundane realism
what is a field experiment?
a controlled experiment conducted outside a lab
what are the (3) pros and (1) con of field experiments?
+ less artificial
+ higher mundane realism
+ higher internal validity
- extraneous variabes
what is a natural experiment?
a natural situation, the researcher has not manipulated the IV directly but the effect on the DV is still observed
what are 3 cons of natural experiments?
- not a ‘true’ experiment as the IV has not been manipulated
- causal connections cant be drawn
- cant generalise
what is a questionnaire?
collecting data through written questions
what are the 3 guiding principles to writing a questionnaire?
- clarity - there can be no ambiguity
- bias - no bias q’s to avoid social desirability bias
- analysis - closed q’s are much easier to analyse
what needs to be included in a questionnaire?
filler questions
sequence of easy q’s to hard q’s
what are 2 pros and a con of questionnaires?
+enables researcher to collect data from a large number of people
+impersonal nature so people may be more honest
- biased
what is a structured interview?
the questions are decided in advance
what is a pro and 2 cons of structured interview?
+ easier to analyse and compare
- low reliability
- observer bias
what is a non structured interview?
new questions are developed as it goes along
what is a pro/con of non structured interview?
+ gains more detailed info
- spontaneous questions may lack objectivity
