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Behavioral Research. Chapter 6-Observing Behavior. Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches . Quantitative focuses on the numerical or statistical aspects of the study
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Behavioral Research Chapter 6-Observing Behavior
Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches • Quantitative focuses on the numerical or statistical aspects of the study • Qualitative focuses on themes that emerge from the study; is usually expressed in non-numerical terms using language and images
Four Types of Non-Experimental Research: • Naturalistic observation observation of events as they occur in natural settings • Systematic ObservationThe careful observation of one or more specific behaviors in a particular setting • Archival research studying info from already existing records made in natural settings • Case studies making extensive observations of a single group or a person
Naturalistic Observation • Makes observations in a particular natural setting over an extended period of time, using a variety of techniques. • Used when researcher wants to describe and understand how people in a social or cultural setting live, work, and experience the setting. • Does not have a hypothesis prior to the observation. • Hypothesis are generated to explain the observed data. • Qualitative in nature
Description and Interpretation of Data • Goals of the naturalistic observation: • Describe the setting, events and persons observed • Analyze what was observed generating hypotheses that help explain the data and make them understandable.
Issues in Naturalistic Observation • Participation vs. Concealment • Participation • They could begin to associate with whatever group they have joined to study • Their observation could then be biased and their conclusions will lack objectivity. • Reduces the likelihood the observer will influence behavior • Concealment • ethical standpoint
Limits to Naturalistic Observation • Time consuming • Expensive • Difficult to analyze
Systematic Observation • The researcher is interested in only a few very specific behaviors. • The observations are quantifiable. • The researcher frequently has developed hypothesis about the behavior. • Behavior is observed and coded for analysis
Case Studies • Case studies usually aren’t carried out in natural environments, but rather in a setting selected by the researcher • Case studies typically focus on an individual or case. • Case studies look at limited classes of behavior rather than at the context and natural flow of behavior.
Archival research • Involve using previously compiled info to answer research questions. • Statistical Records • Survey Achieves • Written and Mass Communication Records • Content Analysis of Documents
Problems with Archival data • The desired records may be difficult to obtain. • We can never be completely sure of the accuracy or info collected by someone else