Drone IT WK 4 DQ 2 (Elaborated)PSY550 -Research Methods Topic 4 DQ 2 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the following nonexperimental research methods: (a) naturalistic observations, (b) surveys, and (c) correlational studies. If you were asked to use one of these designs in a study next week, which nonexperimental design would you select and why? Naturalistic observation advantages includes the ability for the researchers to directly observe individuals in their natural setting; the ability for the researchers to study ideas that cannot be mani pulated; and it supports the external validity of a research effort. However, some of its disadvantages is that it can be challenging to control outside variables; it does not always generate accurate data; and it could pose a risk of being unethical, if you are observing or following individuals without their knowledge or consent (Privitera, 2019). Surveys include gathering data and information from several different groups of people (Privitera, 2019). The advantages of conducting a survey is that it’s po ssible to get a larger group of subjects who might feel more open to answering due to anonymity (Privitera, 2019). Another advantage is that surveys are cost effective. However, a large disadvantage of surveys is that the subjects may be dishonest in their answers or even provide false information. (GCU, 2017). Face to face interviews, while perhaps provides more of an advantage, in that the subject and researcher are able to communicate more clearly and clarify any questions and responses, are much more time consuming and more expensive (GCU, 2017). Correlational studies rely on the relationship of one variable to another and are typically used for predictive purposes (Privitera, 2019). The most common disadvantage of correlational studies is that researc hers can sometimes believe that one variable is impacting another, with a cause and effect relationship, when this may not be the case (Privitera, 2019). However, it is also extremely advantageous when there is a large number of data and that data needs to be fit into smaller categories. For instance, which type of person is more likely to go to the movies on a weekday versus the weekend. The non experimental design I would select in a study next we ek would be to conduct a survey. The reason for this is because I feel that I can gather a lot of data by sending out questionnaires and assessments for participants to answer. I do believe that the disadvantage of this, as stated above, is that the subjec ts may be dishonest in their answers by providing false information. However, the larger my sample size, the lower the margin of error (Omair, 2015). The closer my sample is in size to my population, the more representative my results are likely to be. References : Aamir Omair. (2015). Selecting the appropriate study design for your research: Descriptive study designs. Journal of Health Specialties, 3, 153. Retrieved from https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login? url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direc t=true&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.b0e0425b9a5496ab62e9bb611740625&site=eds -live&scope=site Brick, J. M. (2011). The future of survey sampling. Public Opinion Quarterly, 75(5), 872–888. Retrieved from https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2012 -03126 -004&site=ehost -live&scope=site ;Grand Canyon University (2017). PSY-550 Topic 4 Reading Resource . Grand Canyon University. Privitera, G. (2019). Research Methods For the Behavioral Sciences (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage. ISBN - 13: 9781544309811
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