Ch. 16 Other Descriptive Research Methods

A researcher wants to determine the percentages of time that a teacher spends in various tasks, such as demonstration, explanation, and monitoring students. Which of the following is probably the most valid way to research this?

An observational study

In developmental studies, when one wants to determine how individual children change rather than what is typical at each stage, one would prefer the _____________ method

Longitudinal

A job analysis is primarily a form of what research technique?

Case Study

Determining the relationship between students' attitudes toward drugs and the frequency of drug usage is an example of a(n) _____________ study

Correlational

Which of the following is the most unobtrusive technique for measuring student interest in reading?

Count how often students check out books from the library

A cross-sectional developmental study seeks to assess age differences in physical performance of volunteer participants from ages 20 - 70. How might representative sampling in the study be problematic?

Cross-sectional studies test several age groups at the same point in time. Although these studies are more time efficient than longitudinal studies, a limitation called the cohort problem exists: Are the age groups really from the same population (group of cohorts)?

A basic characteristic of correlational research is that it

Does not manipulate variables and hence cannot establish cause and effect

A major weakness of observational research lies in the operational definitions. Which question is an example of an operational definition?

What behaviors characterize a good teacher or good coach?

Briefly discuss three (3) major weaknesses in observational research that could affect the validity and reliability of the measures

1. Using observation forms effectively requires much practice. Inadequate training, therefore, represents a major pitfall in this form of research. Also trying to observe many things can be difficult. Often, the observation form is too ambitious for one person to use 2. The presence of the observer usually affects the behavior of the participants. The researcher must be aware of this likelihood and try to reduce the disturbance 3. Generally, having more than one observer greatly expedites observational research. Failure to use more than one (1) observer results in decreased efficiency and objectivity

Describe how a developmental study could be both descriptive and experimental

Both are necessary and important types of research. These two (2) types of design are considered descriptive research. However, either can also be experimental research, that is, an independent variable can be manipulated within any group

The case study

Gathers data from a single person or from a limited number of similar people

A researcher wishes to study a group of children over a period of 10 years beginning in 2016 and ending in 2025. This is an example of _____________ study

Longitudinal

A major limitation in the use of video-recording in observational research is its

Obtrusiveness