Psy 270 Research Methods Appendix B

University of Phoenix Material
Appendix B

Research Methods

List the advantages and disadvantages of the following research methods:

Research Method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Case Study | One major advantage of the case study in psychology is the potential for the development of original hypotheses for later testing. Second, the case study can provide detailed descriptions of specific and rare cases | The case-control study method is highly susceptible to recall bias as it relies on memory and records to establish the exposure status. Researchers should select subjects of case-control study at random, although this is at times very difficult to attain, since they may fail to diagnose some diseases or give the wrong diagnosis.

| Correlational Method | Correlational research allows researchers to collect much more data than experiments. Furthermore, because correlational research usually takes place outside of the lab, the results tend to be more applicable to everyday life. Another benefit of correlational research is that it opens up a great deal of further research to other scholars. When researchers begin investigating a phenomenon or relationship for the first time, correlational research provides a good starting position. It allows researchers to determine the strength and direction of a relationship so that later studies can narrow the findings down and, if possible, determine causation experimentally.

| Correlation research only uncovers a relationship; it cannot provide a conclusive reason for why there is a relationship. A correlative finding does not reveal which variable has influential power over the other. Also, a third, unknown variable might be causing both.

| Experimental Method | Experiments are the only means by which cause and effect can be established. It allows for precise control of variables. Experiments can be replicated. We cannot generalize from the results of a single experiment. | The potential disadvantages with the experimental method are that the lab setting may inhibit natural behavior; findings may not generalize to real world; potential for unethical or impossible experiment. Other potential problems include -· Selection Bias,· Placebo effect,· Experimenter bias |