Descriptive and Correlational Research Strategies - Research Methods - Lecture Slides, Slides of Research Methodology

Download Descriptive and Correlational Research Strategies - Research Methods - Lecture Slides and more Slides Research Methodology in PDF only on Docsity! Descriptive and Correlational Research Strategies Docsity.com Outline: 1. Observational research design 2. Survey research design 3. Case study design 4. Correlational research strategy Docsity.com 1. Observational research design • participant observation – the researcher engages in the same activities as the people being observed, in order to observe and record their behavior – e.g. gang meeting or treatment of mental patients – (+) get info not accessible otherwise – (-) time consuming, can be dangerous Docsity.com 1. Observational research design • contrived observation – observation of behavior in settings arranged specifically for observing and recording of behavior – e.g. parent-child interactions – (+) don’t have to wait for the behavior to occur – (-) less natural Docsity.com 2. Survey research designs • a research study that uses a survey to obtain a description of a particular group of individuals is called a survey research design (only describing) • e.g. customer surveys, eating behavior surveys etc. • constructing a survey – e.g. demographic questions at the end of survey, sensitive questions in the middle of the survey, appropriate vocabulary Docsity.com 2. Survey research designs • selecting relevant and representative participants – e.g. specific groups • administering a survey – mail surveys • convenient and nonthreatening but response rates are low – phone surveys • can be conducted from home but time consuming – in-person surveys • 100% response rate but time consuming with individual interviews Docsity.com 3. Case study design • involves the in-depth study and detailed description of a single individual • may involve an intervention or treatment administered by the researcher • when a study does not include any treatment or intervention, it is often called a case history • e.g. Eve White (multiple personality disorder) or neuropsychological patients (H.M.) Docsity.com 3. Case study design • strengths – not averaged over a diverse group – detailed description – vivid, convincing – can study rare and unusual events – can identify exceptions to the rule • weaknesses – limited generalizations – potential for selective bias – potential for subjective interpretations Docsity.com 4. Correlational research strategy positive correlation 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 positive correlation negative correlation 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 negative correlation Docsity.com 4. Correlational research strategy • Applications of the correlational strategy – Prediction • Predictor variable (e.g. GPA) • Criterion variable to be predicted (e.g. grad school success) – Reliability and validity • Calculating correlations in test-retest reliability and concurrent validity – Evaluating theories • E.g. Heredity and IQ correlations between twins Docsity.com 4. Correlational research strategy • strengths – nonintrusive – natural behaviors – high external validity • weaknesses – cannot assess causality (e.g. TV and aggressive behavior) – third-variable problem – directionality problem – low internal validity Docsity.com