Data Collection Methods and Limitations

The video tutorial covers three primary methods of data collection: direct observation, surveys, and experiments. Direct observation involves recording real-life events, which can be primary or secondary data. Surveys involve asking participants questions, while experiments involve controlled conditions to establish causal relationships. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, with experiments being the gold standard for causal claims but often lacking realism. Direct observation captures real-life data but is limited to correlational claims, while surveys can uncover hidden variables but may suffer from measurement errors.

Which of the following is NOT a method of data collection discussed in the video?

• Direct observation

• Interviews

• Surveys

• Experiments

What is a characteristic of direct observation?

• It involves asking participants questions.

• It is always conducted in a laboratory setting.

• It records natural behavior as it occurs.

• It is the gold standard for causal claims.

What is secondary data?

• Data collected for a specific research purpose.

• Data recorded for one reason but used for another.

• Data collected through surveys.

• Data that is always analyzed immediately.

What is a key advantage of surveys?

• They can measure hidden variables.

• They are always free from measurement errors.

• They allow for direct observation of behavior.

• They are conducted in controlled environments.

What is a disadvantage of surveys?

• They do not involve participant interaction.

• They may have measurement errors.

• They are always conducted in a laboratory.

• They cannot measure hidden variables.

Why are experiments considered the gold standard?

• They are the easiest method to conduct.

• They are always conducted in real-life settings.

• They allow for causal claims to be made.

• They involve no control over variables.

What is a disadvantage of experiments?

• They cannot make causal claims.

• They do not involve any control over variables.

• They are always realistic.

• They are often conducted in unrealistic settings.

Which method allows for observing real-life behavior?

• Surveys

• Experiments

• Direct observation

• Interviews

What is a common limitation of direct observation?

• It can only make causal claims.

• It is always conducted in a lab.

• It can only make correlational claims.

• It involves asking questions to participants.

Which method is best for measuring latent variables?

• Experiments

• Surveys

• Archival data

• Direct observation