Research Methods

List the advantages and disadvantages of the following research methods:

Research Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Case Study	It is a source of new ideas about behavior and can “open the way for discoveries” and tentative support for a theory (Comer, 2011). It can also serve to challenge a theory’s assumptions, shows the value of new therapeutic techniques or unique applications of existing techniques, and offers opportunities to study unusual problems that do not happen enough to allow large number of observations (Comer, 2011). Provides individual information.	Reporters of case studies are biased observers, and are relied on subjective evidence, and provide barely any basis for generalization. (Comer, 2011). Does not provide general or casual information, statistical analysis is not possible, and it is not replicable.
Correlational Method	Determines and describes the co-relationship between variables and can answer if there is a correlation between the amount of stress in people’s lives and the degree of depression they experience (Comer, 2011). Correlational studies are easily repeated using new groups of participants to check the results of earlier studies (Comer, 2011). Provides general information, statistical analysis is possible, and it is replicable. Helps investigators draw broad conclusions about abnormality in the population at large (Comer, 2011). Features allow clinical investigators to gain general insights (Comer, 2011).	Has a negative instead of positive correlation (Comer, 2011).  Does not explain the relationship between two variables. Does not provide individual or casual information. Does not offer the rich details like case studies (Comer, 2011).
Experimental Method	Provides general and casual information, statistical analysis is possible, and it is replicable. Sometimes can only use single-subject experimental design (Comer, 2011). Helps investigators draw broad conclusions about abnormality in the population at large (Comer, 2011). Features allow clinical investigators to gain general insights (Comer, 2011).	Does not provide individual information. Does not offer the rich details like case studies (Comer, 2011).

Reference

Comer, R. J. (2011). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth.