research methods non-experimental glossary

content analysis

research method to systematically analyse data by coding it into categories

coding

categorising qualitative data into meaningful units for analysis

case study

an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or event

observational research

a method where behaviour watched and recorded systematically

naturalistic observation

observing behaviour in its normal environment without interference

controlled observation

observing behaviour in a structured or artificial setting

participant observation

the researcher becomes a part of the group being studied

non-participant observation

researcher observes without joining in

covert observation

participants are unaware that they are being observed

overt observation

participants know they are being observed

time sampling

recording behaviour at fixed time intervals

event sampling

recording every time a specific behaviour occurs

validity (observations)

the extent to which the observation measures what it claims to

reliability (observations)

consistency of observational data across time or observers

self report

when participants provide info about themselves

questionnaire

a set of written questions designed to collect data

interview

a conversation in order to collect data

structured interview

interview with fixed, pre-set questions

unstructured interviews

interview with open ended, flexible questions

validity (self reports)

accuracy of self-report data in reflecting true experiences

reliability (self reports)

consistency of self report data across time or items

peer review

the process where other experts evaluate research before publication

publication bias

the tendency for journals to publish positive or new findings over null results

scientific credibility

the trustworthiness of research ensured through peer review and replication

internal validity

whether a study measures what it intends to within its design

external validity

the extent to which findings can be generalised beyond the study

ecological validity

how well findings apply to real-life settings

temporal validity

whether findings remain true over time.

test retest reliability

consistency of results when the same test is repeated

inter observer reliability

agreement between different observers recording the same behaviour

internal reliability

consistency within a test