SPECIFICATION:

Students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following research methods, scientific processes and techniques of data handling and analysis, be familiar with their use and be aware of their strengths and limitations.

• The Experimental method.

• Types of experiments: laboratory

• Types of experiments: field experiments

• Types of experiments: Natural experiments

• Types of experiments: Quasi-experiments.

• Experimental designs: repeated measures, independent groups, matched pairs.

• The non-experimental method

• Observational techniques. Types of observation: naturalistic and controlled observation, covert and overt observation, and participant and non-participant observation. Observational design: behavioural categories, event sampling, time sampling

• Self-report techniques, questionnaires, and interviews, both structured and unstructured. Questionnaire construction, including open and closed questions; interview design.

• Correlations. Analysis of the relationship between co-variables. The difference between correlations and experiments.

• Discourse analysis

• Thematic analysis

• Content analysis: analysis and coding.

• Case studies

SUMMING IT ALL UP