Research methods

Question 1

Lab experiments

-Description

Answer 1

• artificial environment
• manipulate IV
• controls other variables to avoid confounding variables

Question 2

Natural experiments

-Description

Answer 2

• IV is naturally occurring

- researcher does not manipulate the variables but records possible effects of a variable (IV) on another variable (DV)

Question 3

Natural experiments

-strengths

Answer 3

• high EV: focus on natural behaviour

- less bias from demand characteristics

Question 4

Natural experiments

-limitations

Answer 4

• impossible to establish cause-effect
• impossible to replicate exactly
• ethical issues: consent, deception, invasion of privacy

Question 5

Case study

-description

Answer 5

• in-depthi investigation if human experience called ‘a case’.
• aim: describe, understand, explain a psychological or social phenomenon from perspective of participant
• useful to investigate sensitive topics

Question 6

Case study

-strengths

Answer 6

• suited to investigate sensitive and complex issues that couldn’t be studied otherwise
• useful for studying group processes
• may generate new knowledge which challenges preconceived notions/established theory

Question 7

Case study

-strengths

Answer 7

• suited to investigate sensitive and complex issues that couldn’t be studied otherwise
• useful for studying group processes
• may generate new knowledge which challenges preconceived notions/established theory
• combines lots of other research techniques
• triangulation: create true picture of phenomenon under investigation

Question 8

Survey

-description

Answer 8

• often use questionnaires with closed questions (easier to do statistical analysis)
• open ended/interviews sometimes used

Question 9

Case study

-examples

Answer 9

• H.M

- Clive Wearing

Question 10

Survey

-description

Answer 10

-often use questionnaires with closed questions (easier to do statistical analysis)
-open ended/interviews sometimes used
-

Question 11

Survey

-strengths

Answer 11

• more in-depth information

- easy to reach lots of people

Question 12

Survey

-limitations

Answer 12

-self report=biased

-

Question 13

Survey

-examples

Answer 13

Fessler

curtis