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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).
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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.gThe KuKlux 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