RESEARCH METHODS

Question 1

True Experiment

Answer 1

IV + DV. RANDOMLY assigned to experimental and control groups.

Question 2

True Experiment Strengths

Answer 2

HIGH INTERNAL validity; control of variables → ability to establish causation.

Question 3

True Experiment limitations

Answer 3

Artificial settings → LOW ECOLOGICAL validity

Question 4

Quasi-Experiment

Answer 4

IV + DV. PRE-EXISTING characteristics to groups

Question 5

Quasi-Experiment strengths

Answer 5

PRACTICAL and ETHICAL; real-world settings → HIGH ECOLOGICAL validity

Question 6

Quasi-Experiment Limitations

Answer 6

lack of control → cannot definitively establish causation; CONFOUNDING variables

Question 7

Observation

Answer 7

Systematically WATCHING and RECORDING behavior in natural/controlled settings

Question 8

4 Observation Methods

Answer 8

Naturalistic
Controlled
Overt
Covert

Question 9

Observation Strengths

Answer 9

HIGH ECOLOGICAL validity (naturalistic); cannot be ethically manipulated.

Question 10

Observation Limitations

Answer 10

OBSERVER BIAS; ETHICAL concerns (COVERT); lack of CONTROL (naturalistic).

Question 11

Survey

Answer 11

Collects SELF-REPORTED data from participants using questionnaires or structured forms.

Question 12

2 Types of Surveys

Answer 12

Open-ended
Closed-ended

Question 13

Survey Strengths

Answer 13

efficient for large samples; easy to analyze QUANTITATIVE data; anonymity → HONESTY.

Question 14

Survey Limitations

Answer 14

SOCIAL DESIRABILITY bias; LIMITED DEPTH compared to interviews; response rates may be LOW.

Question 15

Interview

Answer 15

answer questions in person, over the phone, or online to provide detailed insights.

Question 16

3 Types of Interviews

Answer 16

Structured
Semi-structured
Unstructured

Question 17

Structured Interview

Answer 17

PRE-DETERMINED questions asked in the SAME order.

Question 18

Semi-structured

Answer 18

MIX of open-ended and pre-determined questions.

Question 19

Unstructured

Answer 19

Conversational approach with FEW predefined questions.

Question 20

Interview Strengths

Answer 20

IN-DEPTH, rich data; exploration of COMPLEX topics; builds RAPPORT with participants.

Question 21

Interview Limitations

Answer 21

TIME-consuming; difficult to analyze large amounts of QUALITATIVE data; INTERVIEWER bias may influence responses.

Question 22

focus group

Answer 22

A group of participants with similar characteristics (minimum 6) assembled to a discussion on a specific topic supervised by a facilitator