PSYC 2030 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Framingham Heart Study, Coronary Artery Disease, Serendipity
Document Summary
Use the term systematic observation to differentiate research strategies described from self- report methods. Observation means that the research is viewing/ noting a fact or occurrence for scientific purpose; systematic means that the observation follows a certain plan/ system and can be evaluated by technical standards. Systematic observation calls for resourcefulness and uses more than one observational/ self- report method. Use of single empirical method would confine observations to a narrow range of facts. Best to use multiple methods but skillfully chose best ones to use. Methodological triangulation = skillfully choosing and implementing both technically and ethically acceptable observational methods and measurement procedures in order to zero in on something from more than one point. In quantitative research, the empirical approach is based on numerical data; in qualitative data = spoken words/ descriptions of behaviour/ pictorial records. Are ways to quantify qualitative data; sometimes can use both.