research methods

strengths of closed question questionnaires

standardised (t), large sampling frame so representative (t)

limitations of closed question questionnaires

low response rate (p+t), completed away from researcher (p+t)

strength of open-ended questions questionnaires

high in validity (t), participants can remain anonymous (e)

limitations of open-ended question questionnaires

leading/loaded questions (t), difficult to analyse (p), low response rate (t+p)

strengths of structured interviews

less time-consuming so more can be completed (p), standard question so more reliable (t)

limitations of structured interviews

researcher cannot ask follow-up questions so it affects validity (t), interview bias may affect validity (t)

strengths of unstructured interviews

can ask follow-up questions so increases validity (t), rapport is built (t+e)

limitations of unstructured interviews

not standardise so it’s difficult to analyse data and therefore low reliability (t), time-consuming so only a small sample so it’s not representative (p+t)

strength of participant observations

good for hard to access groups (p), allows researcher to immerse into participants lives increasing validity (t)

limitations of participant observations

unethical because the researcher deceives the group (e), may put the researcher in danger - james patrick (e)

strengths of non-participant observation

researcher can record results in real time so increasing validity (t), more ethical as no one is being deceived (e)

limitations of non-participant observation

hawthorne effect decreases validity (t), time-consuming (p)