EXP MTD- Research Designs

Case Studies

Detailed naturalistic observation of a few people with a specific condition

A + D.A case studies

A: high detail of specific phenomena

D.A: low external validity

Correlational studies

Examines strength and direction of a relationship between variables

A + D.A of correlational studies

A: meaure relationship between two variables

D.A: cannot determine causation (third varaible problem)

Third variable problem

Outcome caused by a third variable seprate from whats being manipulated and measured

experiments

controlled manipulation of a variable to test a specific outcome

A + D.A experiments

A: only study that can prove causation

D.A: controlled setting can lead to biases + lab effects. not everything can be tested experimentaly

Quasi Experiments

Experiments when independent variable cannot be manipulated

i.e gender, occupation, abuse, personality

A + D.A of quasi-experiment

A: can test variables not able ot be manipulated regualrly

D.A: only tests correlation, cannot prove causation

Types of Quasi-experiments

Ex Post Facto: comparisons based on pre-existing groups

Pre-test post-test: testing change in variable before & after an event/period of time (doesnt include control group)