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1.4 Non-experimental methods:
qualitative research
Two research methods
Quantitative research (experimental method)
Qualitative research (non-experimental method)
What’s the difference? When to use which?
Quantitative research (experimental method)
- empirical / numbers- questionnaires and labs- reliability- validity- replicability- generalizability- Cause and effect relationship
Calculation of statistics Can all sorts of behaviour be quantified?
Qualitative research (non-experimental method)
Gather information about the ‘qualities’ or characteristics of what is being studied
Gives an insight into psychological processes Use interviews, observation, case studies, etc
Qualitative research (non-experimental method)
Can help to answer “why? & how?” questions:
- How do Vietnamese women view domestic violence?
- Why do teenagers join street gangs?
Interpret & analyze data
When to use which
The research method depends upon the problem being studied, the investigator’s objectives and ethical principles
Choose what you want to study then choose how
Not the other way around
Triangulation
Combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods
Benefit: more complete picture of the behaviour studied
Deductive approach
Quantitative research take a deductive approach
- Begins with theory then form hypothesis- test the hypothesis against empirical evidence- accept or reject hypothesis- general idea correct or incorrect?
Inductive approach
Qualitative research take a inductive approach
- Detective work- Begins with specific things (e.g: observation) then form theory.
They first gather data, then see what these could mean.
- - Use research question instead of a hypothesis (open-ended instead of a claim)- Usually focus on one concept or idea.- Usually pertain to the actions or perceptions of participants
Data collection methods
Interviews Observation Case studies
Interview
Allows for a deeper understanding and reveal personal experience
Structured interview Unstructured interview Semi-structured interview
Structured interview
Controlled method Tight interview schedule List of exact questions a “spoken” questionnaire Easy to analyze and compare data
Unstructured interview
Loose interview schedule Topic and time stated Questions made up as it goes Easier for participant to “open up” and
reveal interesting data Difficult to analyze the data
Semi-structured interview
Mostly used A set of close and open questions the answer can be more open than in a
structured interview
The art of interviewing
Positive relationship Be very aware of interviewer effects
(non verbal behaviour and signs which affects the interviewee)
An interview is a private thing so there’s A risk for participant bias A risk for social desirability bias Sensitive information might be revealed so
remember the ethics Be a researcher on p. 32: teenagers and drug
use and abuse
Observation
Describe behaviour without referring to a cause and effect relationship
Naturalistic observation- To observe behaviour as it occurs in a natural setting- Jane Goodall and African chimpanzees
- Often used to study children to learn about cooperation, aggression and problem solving
Researcher bias
Researcher sees what s/he wants to see
Solve with many observers, if all sees the same thing = inter-observer reliability
Participate or not?
Participant observation- Researcher takes part in the group- Overt or covert- gains a close and intimate familiarity with a given group (e.g The Ku Klux Klan)- difficult balance between observation and participation
Non-participant observation- not being part of the group- Can do it overt or covert- researcher bias might occur
Covert observation- to avoid reactivity
Ethics
Ordinary code of ethics apply with informed consent, etc
Special permission to carry out covert observation
Public places mostly considered ok
Read Rosenhan’s study (1973) on page 34-35
Case studies
Not a research method but an approach In-depth analysis of an individual, group or event Gives a deep insight into unique phenomena or
behaviour Data collected through interviews, observation,
psychological tests, etc. One case in detail from many angles instead of 2000 http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEnkY2iaKis&feature=related Genie
Example: Read Money’s study (1974) on p. 37
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