| TYPE | KEY CHARACTERISTICS | RESULTS |
|---|---|---|
| Experiment | Specific manipulation Standard measures Control & Experimental group Random assignment to groups Control or make equal other factors Fewest variables Indep. Var -> Depend Var |
Cause & Effect |
| Correlational Study/ Survey
(co - relate, go together) |
Measure all variables Standard measures Largest # of people Measure many variables (10-12, often) Random sampling most important |
Relationship |
| Case Study/ Descriptive Study | Measure all variables Insights from observations Few People In-depth, info from many sources Study the most variables |
Generate hypotheses
Describe possible complex relationships |
| Naturalistic Observation /
Field Study |
Studies places more than individuals, "What
goes on here?"
Similar to case study, also many variables |
Create Context Generate situational variables |
Random Sampling is important for all types of studies,
Random Assignment only for experiments.