Method families
Instructions:
There are 5 methods, each with 3 strengths and 3 limitations.
The aim is to collect a complete set for 1 method.

Each player is dealt 6 random cards

You take it in turns to request a specific card from another player – e.g. a strength of observation.

If they have that card, they must give it to you. You can then ask another player for a different card.

If they don’t have that card, then it is their turn to ask a player for a specific card.

The game continues until somebody has a complete set of 3 strengths and 3 limitations for 1 of the methods.
OBSERVATION
 The researcher
observes behaviour
in its true setting,
so their evidence is
likely valid.
OBSERVATION
 It reveals meanings
and motives behind
behaviour.
OBSERVATION

The research often
studies small
groups so it may
not be
representative.
OBSERVATION
 The research is
based on
verstehen, where
behaviour is seen
from the viewpoint
of the actor.
OBSERVATION

The presence of
the researcher may
alter the behaviour
of the group.
OBSERVATION

Objectivity may be
undermined as the
researcher
becomes involved
in the group or
goes native.
QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONNAIRE
 Self-completion
questionnaires
avoid interviewer
effects
 Large samples can
be used.
 Different types of
questions allow
different types of
data to be
collected.
QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONNAIRE
 Generally there is a
low response rate
especially in postal
questionnaires.
 Respondents may
be forced into
artificial categories.
 Respondents may
not be honest.
INTERVIEW
 Structured
interviews can be
replicated and
produce
quantitative data.
INTERVIEW
 All types of
interview are more
time-consuming
than
questionnaires.
INTERVIEW
 The qualitative data
often provides rich
insight into
behaviour.
INTERVIEW
 Unstructured
interviews are
difficult to replicate
and they use small
samples.
INTERVIEW
 Unstructured
interviews enable
probing and help to
establish rapport
with the
interviewee.
INTERVIEW
 The validity of an
interview rests on
the quality of the
question wording.
DOCUMENT
 Unobtrusive,
making reactive
and investigator
effects very
unlikely.
DOCUMENT
 Can be collected
for time periods
occurring in the
past (e.g., historical
data).
DOCUMENT

May be
representative only
of one perspective.
DOCUMENT
 Can provide insight
into what people
think and what they
do.
DOCUMENT

May be incomplete.
DOCUMENT

Access to some
types of content is
limited.
OFFICIAL STATISTICS
OFFICIAL STATISTICS
OFFICIAL STATISTICS
 They can be quite
cheap, easily
accessible and up-todate source of data
(which means the
researcher doesn't
have to spend time
and money collecting
information).
 The ability to
assess trend
changes over time
is possible using
historical statistics
drawn from
different periods
(crime trends being
an example here).
 Cross-cultural
comparisons (crime
rates in different
countries, for
example) are also
possible - and are
easy - using official
statistics.
OFFICIAL STATISTICS
OFFICIAL STATISTICS
OFFICIAL STATISTICS

Statistics can be
used to analyse
only collective
matters, and not
individual events.

Statistics are only
valid as quantitative
data. This cannot
be used to study
such events which
cannot be
expressed by
numbers

Reliability