Non-experimental methods of investigation in psychology
Why do we have non-experimental methods of investigation?
Dissatisfaction concerning the realism and applicability of the results achieved from
experimental research had led to a recent increase in the use of non-experimental methods
Why was there dissatisfaction with the realism and applicability of results from
experimental methods?
They are highly controlled
Why is this a problem?
Some researchers believed that controlling variables distorts reality because in real life
many variables operate together to affect human thought and behaviour
They would say that isolating some variables and manipulating others is too artificial
What do researchers prefer to do?
Researchers prefer to use more valid methods of investigation that reflect real life more
accurately
What are the non-experimental methods of investigation?
1. Correlations
2. Observational Techniques
3. Case Studies
4. Self-report Techniques – interviews, questionnaires
5. Content Analysis
What is the difference between an experimental and non-experimental method?
With non-experimental methods an independent variable is not deliberately manipulated by
a research
Non-experimental methods investigate variables as they occur
Why are non-experimental methods used?
Non-experimental methods have to be used when experiments are not an option
There are some situations that cannot be set up experimentally and can only be
studied as they occur
Non-experimental methods may also be used because they are seen as more
ethical
They do not necessarily manipulate and change participants’ behaviour in the
same way that experiments can do
Are there any disadvantages to non-experimental methods?
This potential benefit is not without its costs
As a result of reduced levels of control, it is much harder for the researcher to reach any
conclusions concerning cause and effect
, Correlations
What is meant by a correlation?
A correlation refers to:
A non-experimental investigation, which specifically attempts to identify relationships
between two naturally occurring variables called co-variables
Analysis of the relationship between co-variables
What is a co-variable?
Co-variables are the variables investigated within a correlation, for example height and
weight (whether people high or low on one measure also tend to be correspondingly high or
low on a second measure)
They are not referred to as the independent and dependent variables because a correlation
investigates the association between the variables, rather than trying to show a cause and
effect relationship
How are they analysed?
To display the relationship between co-variables correlations are plotted on a scattergram.
One co-variable forms the x axis and the other the y axis
Each point (dot) on the scattergram is the x and y position of each co-variable
What type of data do correlations produce?
Correlations have to produce quantitative data, (quantitative data refers to quantities,
amounts or numbers), so that a correlational analysis can be performed.
How is quantitative data produced?
Two sets of numerical scores can be obtained for each participant
Why do they rely on quantitative data?
The reason they rely on quantitative data is because they do more than simply state if two
variables are related.
They actually measure the strength direction of the relationship between two variables. (It is
essentially a statistical process)
Is this a good thing?
By summarising the quantitative data into statistics, researchers can identify patterns or
trends.
Why do we have non-experimental methods of investigation?
Dissatisfaction concerning the realism and applicability of the results achieved from
experimental research had led to a recent increase in the use of non-experimental methods
Why was there dissatisfaction with the realism and applicability of results from
experimental methods?
They are highly controlled
Why is this a problem?
Some researchers believed that controlling variables distorts reality because in real life
many variables operate together to affect human thought and behaviour
They would say that isolating some variables and manipulating others is too artificial
What do researchers prefer to do?
Researchers prefer to use more valid methods of investigation that reflect real life more
accurately
What are the non-experimental methods of investigation?
1. Correlations
2. Observational Techniques
3. Case Studies
4. Self-report Techniques – interviews, questionnaires
5. Content Analysis
What is the difference between an experimental and non-experimental method?
With non-experimental methods an independent variable is not deliberately manipulated by
a research
Non-experimental methods investigate variables as they occur
Why are non-experimental methods used?
Non-experimental methods have to be used when experiments are not an option
There are some situations that cannot be set up experimentally and can only be
studied as they occur
Non-experimental methods may also be used because they are seen as more
ethical
They do not necessarily manipulate and change participants’ behaviour in the
same way that experiments can do
Are there any disadvantages to non-experimental methods?
This potential benefit is not without its costs
As a result of reduced levels of control, it is much harder for the researcher to reach any
conclusions concerning cause and effect
, Correlations
What is meant by a correlation?
A correlation refers to:
A non-experimental investigation, which specifically attempts to identify relationships
between two naturally occurring variables called co-variables
Analysis of the relationship between co-variables
What is a co-variable?
Co-variables are the variables investigated within a correlation, for example height and
weight (whether people high or low on one measure also tend to be correspondingly high or
low on a second measure)
They are not referred to as the independent and dependent variables because a correlation
investigates the association between the variables, rather than trying to show a cause and
effect relationship
How are they analysed?
To display the relationship between co-variables correlations are plotted on a scattergram.
One co-variable forms the x axis and the other the y axis
Each point (dot) on the scattergram is the x and y position of each co-variable
What type of data do correlations produce?
Correlations have to produce quantitative data, (quantitative data refers to quantities,
amounts or numbers), so that a correlational analysis can be performed.
How is quantitative data produced?
Two sets of numerical scores can be obtained for each participant
Why do they rely on quantitative data?
The reason they rely on quantitative data is because they do more than simply state if two
variables are related.
They actually measure the strength direction of the relationship between two variables. (It is
essentially a statistical process)
Is this a good thing?
By summarising the quantitative data into statistics, researchers can identify patterns or
trends.
