BASIC RESEARCH:
The goal in basic research is to simply increase knowledge about social behavior,
knowledge for knowledge’s sake. It doesn’t aim at solving a problem or finding a
solution. Its essential to have a good understanding of psychological processes
before trying to solve difficult social problems.
APPLIED RESEARCH:
It is designed to increase the understanding of and solutions to real world
problems by using current social psychological knowledge.
The knowledge gained through the work of basic researchers provides applied
researchers with a better understanding of how to solve specific social problems.
Likewise, when applied researchers fail to provide a solution, it’s a cue for the
basic researchers that they need to refine their theories to better reflect how
the social world operates.
DESCRIPTIVE METHODS:
1. NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION: it’s a method in which the researcher observes the
specific behavior in its usual natural environment. Its an unobtrusive measure,
sometimes the observer is not physically present rather the behavior is recorded
on camera. These are every day behaviors as they occur naturally in natural
settings.
2. PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION: a method whereby a group is studied from within by
a researcher who records behavior as it occurs in its usual natural environment.
Primary Advantage: provide opportunity to study behavior in its “wholeness”
Primary disadvantage: cannot determine how variables are related to one another.
3. ARCHIVAL RESEARCH: a method in which already existing records are studied
and examined.
Examination of systematic data originally collected for other purposes such as
arrest records or marriage licenses.
4. CASE STUDY METHOD: it’s an intensive examination of an individual or a
group. A researcher could study a completely normal individual or group, but often
selects a case because it represents some unusual pattern of behavior.
5. SURVEY METHOD: structured sets of questions or statements, given to a group
of people to measure their attitudes, beliefs, values, or behavioral tendencies.
a. Face to face surveys
b. Written surveys
c. Phone surveys