PSY 2301 Note Review
Notes
10/22/13 3:58 PM
Notes
Research Methods
Descriptive research methods
Research methods that yield descriptions of behavior rather than causal explanations
Naturalistic Observation
Laboratory Observation
Case Studies
Surveys
Interviews
Questionnaires
Naturalistic observation
A research method in which the researcher observes and records behavior in its natural setting, without attempting to influence or control it
Advantages
Gives the opportunity to study behavior in normal settings
Disadvantages
Must wait for events to occur
Cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships
Observer bias
A distortion in researchers’ observations
Laboratory Observation
A research method in which behavior is studied in a laboratory setting, where researchers can exert more control and take more precise measurements
Advantage
Control established by laboratory setting
Disadvantage
Artificial environment for observations
Case study
An in-depth study of one or a few individuals consisting of information gathered through observation, interview, and perhaps psychological testing
Advantage
In depth analysis for theoretical investigation
Disadvantages
Cannot establish the cause of behaviors observed
Observer bias
Researchers do not know how applicable their findings may be to larger groups or to different cultures
Survey
A method in which researchers use interviews and/or questionnaires to gather information about the attitudes, beliefs, experiences, or behaviors of a group of people
Interviews
Survey results can be affected by the questions’ wording and context
The truthfulness of the responses can be affected by characteristics of the interviewers
Questionnaires
http://www.blinn.edu/socialscience/LDThomas/MyNotes/02Research%20Methods.htm
Page 1 of 3
Notes
10/22/13 3:58 PM
Completed more quickly and less expensively than interviews
Population
The entire group that is of interest to researchers and to which they wish to
10/22/13 3:58 PM
Notes
Research Methods
Descriptive research methods
Research methods that yield descriptions of behavior rather than causal explanations
Naturalistic Observation
Laboratory Observation
Case Studies
Surveys
Interviews
Questionnaires
Naturalistic observation
A research method in which the researcher observes and records behavior in its natural setting, without attempting to influence or control it
Advantages
Gives the opportunity to study behavior in normal settings
Disadvantages
Must wait for events to occur
Cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships
Observer bias
A distortion in researchers’ observations
Laboratory Observation
A research method in which behavior is studied in a laboratory setting, where researchers can exert more control and take more precise measurements
Advantage
Control established by laboratory setting
Disadvantage
Artificial environment for observations
Case study
An in-depth study of one or a few individuals consisting of information gathered through observation, interview, and perhaps psychological testing
Advantage
In depth analysis for theoretical investigation
Disadvantages
Cannot establish the cause of behaviors observed
Observer bias
Researchers do not know how applicable their findings may be to larger groups or to different cultures
Survey
A method in which researchers use interviews and/or questionnaires to gather information about the attitudes, beliefs, experiences, or behaviors of a group of people
Interviews
Survey results can be affected by the questions’ wording and context
The truthfulness of the responses can be affected by characteristics of the interviewers
Questionnaires
http://www.blinn.edu/socialscience/LDThomas/MyNotes/02Research%20Methods.htm
Page 1 of 3
Notes
10/22/13 3:58 PM
Completed more quickly and less expensively than interviews
Population
The entire group that is of interest to researchers and to which they wish to