Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Various Research Methods

Experimental Method

Advantages of Experimental Method:

• Precise control possible

Disadvantages of Experimental Method:

• Artificial setting typical
• Causal conclusions possible
• Intrusiveness typically high
• Precise measurement possible
• Complex behaviors difficult to measure
• Theory testing possible
• Unstructured exploratory research difficult

Correlational Observation

Advantages of Correlational Observation:

• Relationships between variables can be found

Disadvantages of Correlational Observation:

• Causal conclusions impossible
• Precise measurement usually possible
• Control of variables difficult
• Intrusiveness usually low
• Many participants required

Ethnography

Advantages of Ethnography:

• Unfamiliar situations can be described

Disadvantages of Ethnography:

• Control of variables impossible
• Complex behaviors can be described
• Precise measurement difficult
• Intrusiveness low
• Investigator bias possible
• Participants treated humanistically
• Causal conclusions impossible

Questionnaires

Advantages of Questionnaires:

• Data collection efficient

Disadvantages of Questionnaires:

• Causal conclusions impossible
• Attitude or opinion can be measured
• Self-reports difficult to verify
• Unbiased sample selection difficult
• Response rates low when mailed

Naturalistic Observation

Advantages of Naturalistic Observation:

• Realistic setting helps generalization

Disadvantages of Naturalistic Observation:

• Control of variables impossible
• Intrusiveness low
• Data collection inefficient
• Investigator bias possible

Archival Research

Advantages of Archival Research:

• No additional data collection required

Disadvantages of Archival Research:

• Causal conclusions impossible
• Rare behaviors can be studied
• Appropriate records often not available
• Nonmanipulable events can be studied
• Data collected by nonscientists
• Data usually correlational at best

Case History

Advantages of Case History:

• Rare cases can bestudied

Disadvantages of Case History:

• Control of variables impossible
• Complex behavior can be intensively studied
• Data often based on fallible memories
• Investigator bias highly likely
• Causal conclusions impossible