Question

a. How do experiments differ from other kinds of research designs?

b. What are some examples of when other kinds of research designs would be used?

c. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the kinds of research designs used in psychology?

Answer 1

a. How do experiments differ from other kinds of research designs?

There are different types of research designs like descriptive, experimental, correlational, survey and secondary research etc. . The researcher has to adopt the type of the research design depending upon the research problem. Experiment research design differs from other research designs because it depends upon the cause and effect. For example, studying the effect or impact of an intervention on certain attributes.

b. What are some examples of when other kinds of research designs would be used?

Examples for descriptive research design are surveys, case-studies, observation etc. For secondary research examples are, literature review, Library research, reviewing of existing records etc. Correlational research examples include case-control etc. Experimental researches are used in field or in clinics or lab.

c. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the kinds of research designs used in psychology?

1. The advantage is that the variables used for the research are under the control of the researcher. But the associated disadvantage is that researcher can manipulate the results to prove his point.

2. The research may be useful for the mankind but the disadvantage is that may be due to social and political pressure it is disrupted in the mid way or is not published at all.

3. Human beings are used as subjects hence advantage is that the direct impact of the research could be viewed on the humans but the associated disadvantage is that research design used under one circumstances may not be replicated in other circumstances.

4. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the researcher to maintain objectivity, it is the biggest disadvantage.

5. One of the disadvantage could be improper selection of the sample.