Chapter 2 How and Why People Develop and Learn 39
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Common Research Gathering Methods
Method Description Advantages Disadvantages
Observation
Laboratory
setting
Natural setting
Subjects are brought into
a laboratory to be observed
in behavioral or physical
responses.
Naturalistic observation
(used in field experiments)
uses a setting that is natural
and normal to the subject to
observe responses.
• The observation room is
controlled.
• External factors are
removed from the setting.
• The subject may be more
comfortable in a usual set-
ting than in a lab setting.
• Subjects may not realize
they are under observa-
tion, which may create a
more genuine response.
• The setting is unnatural
to the subject, which may
influence responses.
• The subject is usually
aware that he or she is
being monitored, which
may influence responses.
• The observer has less con-
trol over the environment
and therefore less control
over external factors that
may influence responses.
• The subject may still be
aware of the researcher’s
presence, which may
influence responses.
Standardized
test
Tests are created to mea-
sure response for multiple
people.
• Procedure for testing is
orderly.
• Allows comparison to
hundreds of other people.
• Scoring is procedural and
less likely to be biased.
• Some people are not
good test takers, which
may not accurately reflect
their performance.
• Environment may influ-
ence test performance.
Survey The researcher prepares
a list of questions to give to
multiple people.
• Responses can be
anonymous.
• The researcher is
removed from the line of
direct communication,
allowing participants to
feel at ease in responses.
• Can be used to discover
a variety of information;
surveys are easily
customizable.
• Survey questions can be
intentionally or uninten-
tionally biased.
• Subjects may respond
in a way they feel is “the
right answer” to the sur-
vey question or fear
consequences.
• Surveys may not ask all
pertinent questions, which
can lead to skewed infor-
mation in data results.
Some data is collected by keeping all the variables that affect behavior the same
except for one. These are called manipulative experiments. For example, when asking a
group of teens whether or not they should receive an allowance from their parents, the
group could first be divided into two groups. One group would hold part-time jobs, the
other would not. By manipulating this one variable, the outcome could change. Then
again, the manipulated variable (having a job) may have no impact on the teens’ opinion.
Sometimes researchers want to know whether or not data changes over time. In
longitudinal studies, the same individuals are observed over a period of time. Liam
may be asked his opinion on allowance as a teen, and then again as an adult. By fol-
lowing the same individual over time, the researcher can begin to understand variables
that cause change.