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