Cheatography
https://cheatography.com
Be able to:
- Distinguish between different types of empirical research methods.
- Discuss the kinds of research topics that are especially appropriate to different empirical research methods.
This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.
methods/modes of observation
- experiments
- survey research
- qualitative field research
- unobtrusive research
- evaluation research |
experiments
are more often used for natural science, phsycology and medicals sciences rather than social science + it is often explanatory research
method:
- select individuals
- do something to them
- observe the effect of what was done
subjects used:
- small numbers
- probability and non-probability sampling
- groups are often randomly selected or have mathing/similair conditions/characteristics
results if experiments are shown is statistics |
pros:
- validity (external); anything other than experimental stimulus affect dependent variable (lack fo threat)
- reliability: possible to replicate, though not practical
cons:
- validity (external); generalizability experimental finding to 'real' -> experiments are artificial they take place in laboratory, rather then natural settings)
- reactivity: respondents react to fact of being studied
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survey research
is both descriptive as well as explanatory research
questions are often closed-endend:
- single answer possible
- multiple answer possible
- statements to items of a scale
subjects used:
- large numbers: samples of a population
- requires probability sampling
- approach: email, letter or phone
the results of survey research are often displayed in statistics
types:
1. face-to-face interview (capi*)
2. telephone interview (cati)
3. self-administrated paper
4, self-adminstrated online |
*Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing
Pros:
- describe social attitudes and practices of a large population in a representative way
- reliability: standardized question and answer possibilities
cons: Valitdity
- staderdized questions and answer possibilities might not fit
- context is absent
- inflexible
- articificial
unobtrusive research
studies social behaviour without affecting it
types:
- Content analysis: recorded human communications (social artifacts)
Output: both text and statistics
- Analyzing existing statistics: registration data
Output: statistics
- Comparative and historical research: developmental processes across cultures (seeking common patterns)
Output: both text and statistics |
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qualitative field research
tries to probe social life in its natural environment, through direct observation of communications and events
is more often explanatory and descriptive, than just explanatory research
= inductive; uses generates a theory rather than a hypotheses
subjects used
- small numbers
- probability and non-probabillity sampling
results are presented in text; notes and recordings
types:
- Participant observation (aware or unaware)
- Interview: face-to-face or telephone and single or focus group
Pros: validity
- Study subtle nuances and in-depth understanding of concepts and relations (explanatory)
- Flexible
Cons:
- Reliability: not appropriate to describe large populations
- Challenge researcher: objective (sort out own biases) and not guiding without being too passive
- Reactivity: respondents react to fact of being studied |
evaluation research
is a research purpose rather thana method
→ purpose: evaluate impact social interventions; applied research rather than purely scientific
aims of determinations:
- Needs assessment: existence and extent of problems
- Monitoring: developments
- Cost-benefit: results intervention justified by expense
- Program or outcome assessment: interventions produces intended results
types:
- Experimental design: stimulus for experimental but not for control group with pre- and post-test
- Quasi-experimental design: experiment without control group (time-series) or not randomly assigned control group
- Qualitative evaluations: interview and ask after success of an intervention |
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