Other methods

Other methods

1. Longitudinal studies

   • Researchers study the same group of people over different periods of time e.g. 7UP
     • Advantages
       • Valid, indepth & insightful info.
       • Can examine developments over time
       • Can make comparisons between groups to identify causes
     • Disadvantages
       • Keeping the same people over time is very difficult e.g. 'Sample Attrition' - people drop out (less representative)
       • Demographic changes in the population may mean that the sample is no longer representative
       • Demand characteristics - changing behaviour for researcher
       • Hawthorne effect
       • Costly & time consuming

2. Case studies

   • In-depth study of 'one unit' e.g. Curtis & Genie
     • Advantages
       • Indepth & insightful info into unique cases
       • Verstehen
       • Easier to study sensitive & exceptional cases
     • Disadvantages
       • Not representative
       • Lacks reliability (low sample size)
       • Often intrusive into an individuals life

3. Life histories

   • A persons experience of life recounted to the researcher or set in the form of film/book/audio. Oral account often given via semi-structured interview
     • Advantages
       • Provides a detail, rich & valid insight about how peoples lives change over time
       • First hand account of peoples experiences
       • Can be used as a verification tool (can check other peoples information)
     • Disadvantages
       • Can be biased - pps could have their own agenda
       • Low in validity - difficulties collecting information
       • Time consuming
       • Skill is needed to empathise with pps

4. Ethnographic

   • Use of qualitative methods to gain a highly valid understanding of those being studied
     • Advantages
       • Observe behaviour in a natural setting
       • Verstehen - gain true empathy
       • Detailed insight into feelings, meanings, motives & emotions
     • Disadvantages
       • Small sample size (can't generalise)
       • Research methods are often subjective
       • Can be expoitaitve

5. Triangulation

   • Combining different research methods - often quantitative & qualitative
     • Advantages
       • Gain validity AND reliability
       • Gain quantitative & qualitative data
       • Can formulate & test a hypothesis
     • Disadvantages
       • Can be time consuming and expensive