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RESEARCH METHODS - Coggle Diagram
RESEARCH METHODS
OBSERVATION
OVERT OBSERVATION = a researcher tells the participants that they are being observed and what they are being observed for
COVERT OBSERVATION = researcher doesn't tell the participants until after the study is complete
PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION = the researcher becomes a member of the group they are researching
NON-PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION = researcher watches the group from the outside without taking part
PRACTICAL
strengths
flexible
(O) researcher can ask questions
only option with some groups
weaknesses
time
cost
researcher effect
requires a certain skill set not all researchers will have
(C) relies on memory
some groups can be hard to access
ETHICAL
weaknesses
(C) lacks informed consent
privacy can be breached
(P) going native
THEORETICAL
strengths
in depth detailed data
allows for verstehen
weaknesses
Hawthorne effect
hard to quantify
small sample
unreliable
QUESTIONNAIRES
OPEN QUESTIONNAIRE =a self complete form with questions which allow the respondent to answer in as much detail as they want
PRATCICAL
strengths
easy
cheap
lack of researcher effects
qucik to analyse and reach conclusions
weaknesses
low response rate
misunderstand the question
answer may not fit those given (closed)
leading questions
ETHICAL
strengths
informed consent given by completing
anonymous
weaknesses
questions may be sensitive
THEORETICAL
strenths
detailed data (open)
reliable
large sample
easy to quantify and analyse (closed)
detachment and objectivity
weaknesses
participants may lie
someone other than the intended participant may answer
right answerism
lack of rapport
CLOSED QUESTIONNAIRE = a self complete form with questions which give a set of responses that the respondent can choose from
WEB BASED QUESTIONNAIRE = self complete from which is sent out via the Internet or by using a site such as survey monkey
INTERVIEWS
UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW = conversation between the researcher and the participant where the questions are based on the responses given
STRUCTURED INTERVIEW = conversation between the researcher and the participant where the questions are set in advance
GROUP INTERVIEW = interview can be structured or unstructured but involves more than one participant
PRACTICAL
strengths
allows researcher to build rapport with the participants
flexibility
allows for clarification of the questions
weaknesses
time
cost + training of interviewers
ETHICAL
strengths
good for sensitive topics
weaknesses
questions could cause harm if of a sensitive nature
THEORETICAL
strengths
in depth detailed data
reliable (S)
hard to quantify
weaknesses
demand characteristics
unreliable (US)
small sample
(G) peer group influence
EXPERIMENTS
LAB = study that take place in a lab where the researcher is able to manipulate and control all of the variables
FIELD = take place in real life settings such as a classroom, the work place or even the high street
PRACTICAL
strength
variables are controlled
weaknesses
time
cost
ETHICAL
strengths
harm to participants - stress
weaknesses
deception in order to deal with researcher effects
THEORETICAL
strengths
highly reliable
causation can be determined
weaknesses
validity - not normal setting
researcher effects
small sample
OFFICIAL STATISTICS
numerical data that is produced by the government or government agencies
PRACTICAL
strentghs
cheap
easily accessible
weaknesses
may not ask the questions specific to the research
ETHICAL
no ethical considerations in using official statistics
THEORETICAL
strengths
large sample
valid
reliable
PERSONAL DOCUMENTS
documents such as diaries, letters and other personal correspondence
PRACTICAL
strengths
cheap
weaknesses
can be hard to access
ETHICAL
weaknesses
invasion of privacy
informed consent
confidentiality
THEORETICAL
strengths
In depth and detailed
weaknesses
open to interpretation
personal view
unreliable
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
docs that contain important historical info about person place or event
PRACTICAL
strengths
cheao
time
can be easy to access
weaknesses
may not be specfic
ETHICAL
weaknesses
confidentiality
invasion of privacy
THEORETICAL
strengths
in depth data
weaknesses
open to interpretation
unreliable
personal view
UNOFFICAL STATISTICS
numerical data that is collected by charities and other organisations
PRACTICAL
strengths
cheap
easily accessible
weaknesses
may not ask the questions specific to the research
THEORETICAL
strengths
large sample
valid - reliable
weaknesses
could be biased to the views of the organisation
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
gov documents that have been released (OFSTED)
PRACTICAL
strengths
some can he easy to access
cheap
weaknesses
can take time to gain access under FOI act
THEORETICAL
strengths
in depth data
weaknesses
open to interpretation
unreliable
personal view
CONTENT ANALYSIS
quantitative approach to analysing mass media content and involves developing a system of classification to analyse the key features of media sources
PRACTICAL
strengths
cheap
easy to access
weaknesses
time
THEORETICAL
strengths
reliable
weaknesses
open to interpretation
PRIOR RESEARCH
has been carried out in the same area or on the same topic
PRACTICAL
strengths
cheap
time
easy to access
weaknesses
may not be exactly the same in terms of research aims