Ch. 13: The Descriptive Research Strategy

Observational research design

Descriptive research in which the researcher observes and systematically records the behavior of individuals to describe the behavior

Content analysis

Using the techniques of behavioral observation to measure the occurrence of specific events in literature, movies, television programs, or similar media that present replicas of behaviors

Archival research

Looking at historical records (archives) to measure behaviors or events that occurred in the past

Naturalistic observation, or nonparticipant observation

A type of observation in which a researcher observers behavior in a natural setting as unobstrusively as possible. Also known as nonparticipant observation

Participant observation

A type of observation in which the researcher engages in the same activities as the people being observed in order to observe and record their behavior

Contrived observation, or structured observation

Observation in settings arranged specifically to faciliate the occurrence of specific behaviors. Also known as structured observation

Survey research design

A research study that uses a survey to obtain a description of a particular group of individuals

Case study design

An in-depth study and detailed description of a single individual (or a very small group). A case study may involve an intervention or treatment administered by the researcher

Case history

A case study that does not include a treatment or intervention