PS374 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Survey Data Collection, Participant Observation, Construct Validity
Document Summary
Chapter 3: research methods in applied social psychology. Decisions about how to set up and conduct research are made on the basis of three research dimensions: Method of data collection, research design, and research setting. Measurement of variables provides researchers with the data (information)n they analyze in trying to answer their research question. Because attitudes are complex, responses are often difficult to interpret. Behavioral: tap into specific aspects of current or past behavior such as its frequency, intensity, and timing. Never start with demographic questions one question can affect responses to subsequent questions, a process called a context effect. Prudent to present general questions first, followed by more specific ones. Questions about sensitive or controversial issues (mental illness, drug use, abortion) should be presented near the end , but do not end with them: response format: 2 basic ones, Closed-ended: provide respondents with specified predetermined st of possible responses: examples include checklists, multiple choice items, rankings, and rating scales.
