Non experimental methods

Non experimental methods

1. Observations

   • No demand characteristics
     • Unaware of being observed
   • High ecological validity
     • Real life situations
   • Observer bias
     • Interpret with own beliefs etc
   • Unable to replicate
     • Conditions are not controlled

2. Case studies

   • Allow investigation where other methods are unethical
   • Relate to one person, not an average of many
   • Cannot be generalised
   • Reliant on full/accurate memories

3. Questionnaires

   • Large samples, researchers dont have to be present when completed
     • Obtain lots of data quickly
   • Social desirability affecting answers
     • Closed questions dont give opportunity for full answers

4. Interviews

   • Gain quantitative and qualitative
     • Follow up questions to explore further
   • The sample group may have characteristics not general as they voluteered
     • Response may be with evaluation aprehension

5. Correlational analysis

   • Used when experiment method may be unethical
     • Relationships can lead to predictions
   • Dont show cause and effect