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Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
Observational methods of research can describe behavior either quantitatively or . |
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For example, researchers wanting to describe the stressors faced by college students could develop a questionnaire and ask a sample of college students the number of hours they work each week, their weekly social events, and how many classes they are taking. This is an example of a approach because the responses can be assigned numerical values. |
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On the other hand, if the researchers asked students to write a full description of each of their stressors, this would be a approach because responses are expressed in nonnumerical terms. |
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Naturalistic Observation
When a researcher makes observations in a particular setting over an extended period of time, using a variety of techniques to collect information, it is called a observation study. |
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The goal of naturalistic observation is to provide a complete and accurate picture of the setting, patterns of relationships, reactions, and so on, but not to test . |
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Thus, in order to meet this goal, the researcher must keep very detailed notes and often use audio- and recordings. |
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In a naturalistic observation study, the researcher can be either a observer and not become an active part of the setting or a observer and assume an active, insider role. |
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Being an active part of the setting may give the researcher an opportunity to experience events as a natural participant would. However, participant observation is reactive and also the researcher may objectivity. |
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Thus, concealing one's purpose may be preferable. The decision of whether it is best for the researcher to remain concealed or be open about the research purpose depends on both concerns and the nature of the group and setting being studied. |
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Systematic Observation
A observation refers to the careful observation of one or more specific behaviors in a particular setting. |
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The researcher frequently has developed prior about the observed behaviors. |
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Moreover, these observations are (numerical values). |
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In addition, the researcher develops a system to measure the behaviors. |
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Equipment, , reliability and sampling are methodological issues in systematic observation. |
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In respect to the equipment issue, there is an advantage to recording behavior using a because the behavior is recorded permanently and coding can be done later. |
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The second issue, reactivity, can be reduced by using observation, such as hidden cameras or by allowing sufficient time for people in the study to get used to the observer or the equipment. |
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In the case of reliability, this issue can be reduced by carefully training observers so there is a agreement among their observations. |
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Finally, sampling is an important issue because samples of behavior taken over a long period of time are more than single and short period observations. |
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Case Studies
A case study provides a of an individual, but may also be a setting such as a business, school, or neighborhood. |
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When, however, a researcher applies psychological theory to explain the life of an individual, this is a type of case study called . |
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Case studies use library research and telephone interviews with persons familiar with a specific case, but do not involve observation. |
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For the most part, a case study is done when the condition of the individual is , unusual, or noteworthy. |
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Archival Research
Another type of nonexperimental research is archival research in which the researcher does not actually collect the data. |
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Instead, the researcher uses compiled information to answer research questions. |
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The three types of archival research data are: statistical records, survey archives, and records. |
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Describing Personality and Individual Differences
Researchers also devise measures to assess personality. Since personality variables are constructs that cannot be directly observed, researchers develop measures to assess personality. |
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These measures may be either or quantitative measures. |
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Quantitative measures, however, are often used to assess differences in psychological attributes or characteristics such as self-esteem, assertiveness, and loving style. Usually, it is wise for researchers to use existing personality measures rather than developing their own measures. |
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This is because existing measures have and validity data that allow the researchers to compare their findings with findings from prior research that used these measures. |
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In addition to these quantitative measures, now researchers are using qualitative approaches. These qualitative approaches focus on accounts of life histories to explore how personalities develop. |
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Such data may provide researchers with information that is difficult to obtain using quantitative measures and help provide a more understanding of human behavior. |
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