Overview of Methodologies

Experimental Methods

Experiments are the most scientific of all methods and are often used in a lab setting.
They allow the researcher to control the variables and, therefore, to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Experiments are most often conducted in laboratories, fields, or through natural or quasi setups.
They involve an independent variable (the cause) and a dependent variable (the effect).
Control groups and random assignment are two essential components of experimental research.

Descriptive research methods include case studies, surveys, naturalistic observations, and correlational studies.
These methods involve observing and reporting behaviour but do not enable researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Case studies involve a deep, detailed study of one or a few individuals, allowing for a rich understanding but the inability to generalise findings.
Surveys and interviews involve gathering data from people about their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, bringing the benefit of collecting large amounts of data but may be limited by dishonest responses.
In naturalistic observations, researchers observe and record participants in their natural environment without interacting with them, providing real-world data but lacking control over variables.

The correlational research method involves measuring the relationship between two variables that are not manipulated by the experimenter.
A positive correlation exists when increases in one variable correspond with increases in the other, a negative correlation when increase in one corresponds to decrease in the other.
Correlation does not imply causation, it only indicates that two variables are related.

Different methodologies have their strengths and weaknesses; the choice of methodology relies on what the researcher wishes to investigate.
Considerations include whether the method allows for the establishment of causal relationships, the degree of control the researcher has over the variables, and the ethical implications of the research.
The simplicity, cost, and time requirements of the method and the generalisability of the results are also important considerations.
The best methodology to use will depend on the specific objectives of the research.