0.12. Other Methods

Question 1

Case study definition

Answer 1

An in-depth study of an individual or a small group data gathered from many research methods

Question 2

Case study strengths

Answer 2

• highly detailed
• one is enough to change a theory
• high ecological validity

Question 3

Case study weaknesses

Answer 3

• each case study is unique -> results cannot be generalised
• may be researcher bias
• it is time consuming
• cannot be replicated

Question 4

Meta-analysis definition

Answer 4

The technique produces an effect size of the DV in order to assess overall trends of many studies put together

Question 5

Meta-analysis strengths

Answer 5

• increases validity of the conclusion drawn
• allows us to reach an overall conclusion by having a statistic to represent the findings

Question 6

Meta analysis weaknesses

Answer 6

• studies not truly comparable as research designs differ
• slightly different hypotheses and different levels of control

Question 7

Content analysis

Answer 7

• read the document/ interview transcript
• find common themes (GIVE EXAMPLES)
• identify behaviour categories
  Re-read and tally up the behaviour categories

Question 8

Content analysis strengths

Answer 8

• no ethical issues
• high ecological validity
• can be replicated

Question 9

Content analysis weaknesses

Answer 9

• subjective/ bias-> you choose behaviour categories and info can be misinterpreted
• behaviour may be taken out of context

Question 10

Cross-cultural definition

Answer 10

Comparing behaviours in different cultures
A way to see if certain behaviours are due to nature or nurture

Question 11

Cross cultural strengths

Answer 11

• explores the nature and nurture debate when explaining human behaviour

Question 12

Cross cultural weaknesses

Answer 12

• can cause issues such as bias and impose etic

Question 13

Longitudinal study definition

Answer 13

Study over many years
Comparisons are made at certain milestones/ ages in a person’s life and conclusions can be drawn

Question 14

Strengths of longitudinal

Answer 14

• allows us to see trend and patterns in behaviour over time

Question 15

Weaknesses of longitudinal

Answer 15

• high drop out rates can skew data