AP Psychology: Comparing Research Methods

What is the purpose of the descriptive research method?

To observe and record behavior

What is the purpose of the correlational research method?

To detect naturally occurring relationships; to assess how well one variable predicts another

What is the purpose of the experimental research method?

To explore cause and effect

How is the descriptive research method conducted?

Case studies, surveys, or naturalistic observations

How is the correlational research method conducted?

Compute statistical association, sometimes among survey responses

How is the experimental research method conducted?

Manipulate one or more factors; use random assignment

What is manipulated in the descriptive research method?

Nothing

What is manipulated in the correlational research method?

Nothing

What is manipulated in the experimental research method?

The independent variable(s)

Descriptive method strengths?

Case studies require only one participant; surveys may be done fairly quickly and inexpensively (compared to experiments); naturalistic observations may be done when it is not ethical to manipulate variables

Correlational method strengths?

Works with large groups of data, and may be used in situations where an experiment would not be ethical or possible

Experimental method strengths?

Specifies cause and effect, and variables are controlled

Descriptive method weaknesses?

No control of variables; single cases may be misleading

Correlational method weaknesses?

Does not specify cause and effect

Experimental method weaknesses?

Sometimes not feasible; results may not generalize to other contexts; not ethical to manipulate certain variables