Axia College Material

Appendix B Research Methods Matrix

A psychologist is planning to conduct a study that would examine pathological liars and the quality of their romantic relationships. You have been asked to provide the psychologist with a recommendation for which research method should be used to gather data on the pathological liars and their spouses. Using the table below list each research method and its advantages and disadvantages for use in this study.

BEH 225

Research Method
Naturalistic Observation

Advantages
This particular method will permit the observer to view the natural behavior of the subjects. With the observation of natural behavior, you would possess the ability to recognize which individuals are telling lies or manipulating the circumstances. The more individuals that are behaving like their true selves would enable the study to be a success and would be deemed as trustworthy. Case studies will permit you to examine the concern in profundity for several contributors. This would supply rich data; this should supply a superior comprehension of the issue in addition to enabling one to make some conjectures in relation to individual relationships.

Disadvantages
With utilizing this method, you would only possess the ability to observe what is occurring now. If would be difficult examine any appealing aspects concerning a persons individual relationship. If would be an issue with comprehending the meticulousness of the topic at hand because you would not have the option of asking questions. Utilizing this specific method would consume a lot of time because you would only have the ability to examine a handful of contributors. Even though the information is rich, it would be hard to give an overview due to the minimal numbers of individuals in the study. Which is going to mean that your research endeavors just may not be sufficient to distribute? Questions will need to be accurate and not deceptive or not possess the ability to be misconstrued.

Case Studies

Surveys

This provides a good method of collecting data on many people you will possess the ability to generalize results and the research will be appropriate for a broader audience. There is the possibility that with huge information positions you could execute quantitative statistics.

BEH 225

Correlational Research

Experimental Research

This permits prediction of behavior utilizing statistical means of assessment. The research would have to be limited to those individuals who are diagnosed as pathological liars. This is a superior means to inspecting variables and accepting a test circumstance to view an effect. You will possess the ability to influence certain variables, which you may consider significant. This will offer legitimate and consistent outcomes that you will be able to influence in relation to unrelated variables.

This method does not permit the observer to draw conclusions concerning cause and effect relationships. This kind of research might not be suitable in the investigation of individual relationships. This type of research usually takes place in a restricted location (i.e. laboratory) which could affect the behavior if the location is unfamiliar.

Make your recommendation to the psychologist and explain the rationale behind your choice. Your response should be 100-200 words. My recommendation would be that the psychologist utilizes the Correlational method. The reason being he or she would be able to recognize every relationships concerning pathological liars and examine the eminence of these particular individuals relationships. This kind of research will permit the observer to possess the capability of a thorough examination in addition to understanding and elucidating the ambiguity plus the degree of the lies that are presented. Additionally he or she could do this by utilizing questionnaires for their research endeavors. This would mean that he or she would gain the opportunity of having a huge information location. After he or she has examined the relationship, next they could consider about utilizing diverse possibilities for future research. In my personal opinion, I would not decide on an experimental plan to execute

BEH 225

this type of research because I do not feel as though it would be the proper choice given the nature of the research question that has been supplied.

BEH 225