Descriptive Research

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Descriptive Research
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Types of Research Strategies

• Experimental Research
• Non-Experimental Strategies
• Descriptive Research
• Observational
• Archival Research
• Survey Research
• Correlation Research
• Quasi-Experimental Research

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Observational Research

• Consideration
• Representative behavior
• (consider the level of involvement)

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Naturalistic Observation

• When an observer records behavior in a natural
  setting without intervening

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Participant Observation

• The observer becomes a participant in the setting

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Contrived Observation

• Observation in settings arranged to facilitate
  the occurrence of a behavior

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Survey Research

• A self-report method, using questionnaires,
  personal interviews, telephone, or internet polls
  
• The term survey research is research used for
  descriptive, naturalistic purposes

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Archival Research

• An unobtrusive measure that relies on existing
  records

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Content Analysis

• Where a researcher makes inferences based on
  specific characteristics objectively identified
  in messages

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Back et al. (2010). The Emotional Timeline of
September 11, 2001, Psychological Science,
21(10), pp. 1417-1419.
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Natural Treatments

• A naturally occurring event that has a
  significant impact on society at large on a
  particular members of society

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Lasting Consequences of 9/11

• Americans reduced air travel after 9/11

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Lasting Consequences of 9/11
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Survey Archival Research

• Disadvantages
• Subjective Measurments
• Response Set
• Response Bias
• Selective Deposit/ Survival

• Advantages
• Its a good start
• Massive Data Collection
• Able to test things not allowed in experiments
• Unobtrusive
• Multi-method contribution of real world behavior