PSYB01H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: United States Census Bureau, Statistical Theory, Operational Definition
Document Summary
Observational methods can be broadly classified as primarily quantitative or qualitative. Qualitative research focuses on people behaving in natural settings and describing their world in their own ways. Quantitative research tends to focus on specific behaviors that can be easily quantified. In depth info on few individuals or within a very limited setting. Ex: surveys (numerical values assigned to investigator responses) Ex: focus groups (themes that arise) = non- numerical. Sometimes called field work or simply field observation. Researchers makes observations in a particular natural setting (the field) over an extended period of time, using a variety of techniques to collect info. Reports includes observations and researchers interpretations of findings. Used to study many phenomena in all types of social and organizational settings (social sciences). A researcher uses natural observation when he/she wants to describe and understand how people in a social or cultural setting live, work and experience the setting.
