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True experiment
Participants are randomly allocated to conditions
Indépendant variable is manipulated and the dependant variable is measured
Data is statistically analysed and the p-value is calculated
It is easy to reduce extraneous variables leading to high internal validity
Focus Group
A group interview that acts as a purposive sample of 8-12 parti
Researcher acts as the facilitator of the group and keeps the discussion focused
Data is qualitative and must be interpreted through content analysis
Participants may prompt responses from other participants
Maybe be biased due to social desirability bias
Case Study
Based on method triangulation
Data can be quantitative and qualitative
Normally longitudinal in nature
Focused and detailed look at one person, group or organisation
Naturalistic Observation
Can be overt or covert
Occurs in a natural environment so high external validity
Hard to rule out extraneous variables
Can use an observational checklist to obtain quantitative data
Can use field notes to obtain qualitative data, these are often difficult to analyse and content analysis is used to interpret the data
Typically multiple researchers are used to eliminate bias
Semi Structured Interview
Follows the flow of the conversation but has predetermined questions, follow up questions are asked
Face to face so may have interviewer effect and social desirability bias
Results must be interpreted through content analysis
Natural Experiment
Participants are not randomly allocated to conditions
The independent variable is naturally occurring and the dependant variable is measured but causality cannot be proved
Not possible to control extraneous variables
Data is statistically analysed and the p-value is calculated
Correlations Study
Often pre-existing data sets are used but they may also be collected through surveys or standardised tests
No manipulation of an independent variable, instead data sets are compared to determine a level of correlation
Produces qualitative data which must be statistically analysed for significance
Questionnaire/Survey
Not face to face so interviewer effects are avoided
Allow participants to remain anonymous
Questions may be misinterpreted by participants
Data may be qualitative or quantitative, qualitative data must be interpreted through content analysis
Quasi Experiment
Although an independent variable may be changed and a dependable variable measured, causality cannot be determined
Attempt to control extraneous variables, increasing internal validity
Participants are not randomly assigned to conditions that are grouped based on a participant variable
Data is statistically analysed and a p-value calculated
Unstructured Interview
No set questions only topics with the goal of avoiding leading questions
Interview style is highly naturalistic
Face to face so may have interviewer effect and social desirability bias
Requires more training, can be difficult to keep conversation on track without a script
Data must be interpreted through content analysis
