HN377 Unit 1 DBP

TABLE 2

-

4

Types of Research

Research Method

Description

Example

Naturalistic

observation

An investigator systematically

observes naturally occurring

behavior and does not make a

change in the situation.

A researcher investigating bullying

carefully observes and records

instances of bullying on

elementary school playgro

unds.

Archival research

Existing data such as census

documents, college records,

and newspaper clippings are

examined to test a hypothesis.

College records are used to

determine whether gender

differences exist in math grades.

Ethnography

Careful study o

f a culture’s

values and attitudes through

careful, extended examination.

A researcher lives for 6 months

among families in a remote African

village in order to study child

-

rearing practices.

Survey research

Individuals chosen to

represent a larger popula

tion

are asked a series of questions

about their behavior, thoughts,

or attitudes.

A researcher conducts a

comprehensive poll asking a large

group of adolescents about their

attitudes toward exercise.

Case study

An in

-

depth, intensive

investigation of an individual

or small group of people.

An intensive study of a child

involved in a school shooting is

carried out by an investigator.

Psychophysiological

research

A study of the relationship

between physiological

p

rocesses and behavior.

A researcher examines brain scans

of children who are unusually

violent to see whether there are

abnormalities in brain structures

and functioning.

TABLE 2-4 Types of Research

Research Method Description Example

Naturalistic

observation

An investigator systematically

observes naturally occurring

behavior and does not make a

change in the situation.

A researcher investigating bullying

carefully observes and records

instances of bullying on

elementary school playgrounds.

Archival research Existing data such as census

documents, college records,

and newspaper clippings are

examined to test a hypothesis.

College records are used to

determine whether gender

differences exist in math grades.

Ethnography Careful study of a culture’s

values and attitudes through

careful, extended examination.

A researcher lives for 6 months

among families in a remote African

village in order to study child-

rearing practices.

Survey research Individuals chosen to

represent a larger population

are asked a series of questions

about their behavior, thoughts,

or attitudes.

A researcher conducts a

comprehensive poll asking a large

group of adolescents about their

attitudes toward exercise.

Case study An in-depth, intensive

investigation of an individual

or small group of people.

An intensive study of a child

involved in a school shooting is

carried out by an investigator.

Psychophysiological

research

A study of the relationship

between physiological

processes and behavior.

A researcher examines brain scans

of children who are unusually

violent to see whether there are

abnormalities in brain structures

and functioning.