Paper 3 - Research Methods

Strengths of True Experiments

Can control variable to establish a cause-effect relationship

Limitations of True Experiments

Generalizability to real-life settings could be an issue

Strengths of Quasi/Natural Experiments

Can study the effect of a naturally occurring IV that can’t be manipulated in the lab

Limitations of Quasi/Natural Experiments

Difficult to control all extraneous variables.

Strengths of Field Experiments

Can study the effects of an IV on a DV in a real-life setting

Limitations of Field Experiments

Difficult to control all extraneous variables

Strengths of Correlational Studies

Can test the strength of a relationship between two naturally occurring variables.

Limitations of Correlational Studies

Correlation does not mean causation

Strengths of Observation Method

Can see how people act in real-life, naturalistic settings

Limitations of Observation Method

Depending on the type (covert v. overt), ethical issues or the Hawthorne Effect may occur

Strengths of Survey/Questionaire

Can gather data relatively quickly and easily from a wide range of people

Limitations of Survey/Questionaire

Gathers self-report data, which may not be 100% reliable

Strengths of Case Studies

Can use a range of methods to get an in-depth understanding of behaviour

Limitations of Case Study

Limited sample size, so generalizability could be an issue