Research Methods

Research Methods

1. Interviews

   • Strengths

2. Observations

   • Participant
     • When the researcher gets involved
       • Weakness
         • Researcher may have to break the law. E.g., James Patrick Glasgow Gang.
   • Overt
     • People change behaviour. Low validity.
       • E.g., Teachers behaviour when Ofsted observe.
     • No ethical issues
   • Covert
     • Weaknesses
       • Dangerous (Ken Pryce) was killed by a Jamaican gang when they found out he wasn't who he said he was.
       • Low validity. Difficult to replicate.
     • Strengths
       • People don't change their behaviour. High levels of reliability.
   • Non Particpant
     • Researcher is not involved in the research
     • Strengths: no ethical issues