PSYC 3110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Participatory Action Research, Qualitative Research, The Control Group
Document Summary
Many of psych"s traditional methods and research designs are quantitative in nature. This places emphasis on reliable and valid measurement in controlled investigations with experiments, trials and surveys. Qualitative methods use interviews, focus groups, narratives or texts to explore health and illness concepts. Which methods is appropriate in any situation depends upon the question being asked in the context. Is concerned with the process of change and what is decided upon to stimulate change. The investigator works with the stakeholders in a community or organization to help a situation to develop or make a change of direction. Suited to organizational and consultancy work and when a system or service requires improvement. Stems from kurt lewin"s studies of the 1940"s. The aim is to bring change in partnership with the community or organization to help a situation or make a change in direction. The lewin studies are considered unscientific because they did not use control groups or random sampling.