Axia College Material

Appendix B
Research Methods Matrix
A psychologist is planning to conduct a study that would examine pathological liars and the
quality of their romantic relationships. You have been asked to provide the psychologist with a
recommendation for which research method should be used to gather data on the pathological
liars and their spouses.
Using the table below list each research method and its advantages and disadvantages for use in
this study.

BEH 225

Research Method
Naturalistic Observation

Case Studies

Surveys

Correlational Research

Advantages

Disadvantages

This particular method will

permit the observer to view
the natural behavior of the
subjects. With the
observation of natural
behavior, you would possess
the ability to recognize
which individuals are telling
lies or manipulating the
circumstances. The more
individuals that are behaving
like their true selves would
enable the study to be a
success and would be
deemed as trustworthy.
Case studies will permit you
to examine the concern in
profundity for several
contributors. This would
supply rich data; this should
supply a superior
comprehension of the issue
in addition to enabling one to
make some conjectures in
relation to individual
relationships.

With utilizing this method,

you would only possess the
ability to observe what is
occurring now. If would be
difficult examine any
appealing aspects
concerning a persons
individual relationship. If
would be an issue with
comprehending the
meticulousness of the topic
at hand because you would
not have the option of
asking questions.

This provides a good method

of collecting data on many
people you will possess the
ability to generalize results
and the research will be
appropriate for a broader
audience. There is the
possibility that with huge
information positions you
could execute quantitative
statistics.
This permits prediction of
behavior utilizing statistical
means of assessment. The

Utilizing this specific

method would consume a
lot of time because you
would only have the ability
to examine a handful of
contributors. Even though
the information is rich, it
would be hard to give an
overview due to the
minimal numbers of
individuals in the study.
Which is going to mean
that your research
endeavors just may not be
sufficient to distribute?
Questions will need to be
accurate and not deceptive
or not possess the ability to
be misconstrued.

This method does not

permit the observer to draw
conclusions concerning

BEH 225

Experimental Research

research would have to be

limited to those individuals
who are diagnosed as
pathological liars.
This is a superior means to
inspecting variables and
accepting a test circumstance
to view an effect. You will
possess the ability to
influence certain variables,
which you may consider
significant. This will offer
legitimate and consistent
outcomes that you will be
able to influence in relation
to unrelated variables.

cause and effect

relationships.
This kind of research might
not be suitable in the
investigation of individual
relationships. This type of
research usually takes
place in a restricted
location (i.e. laboratory)
which could affect the
behavior if the location is
unfamiliar.

Make your recommendation to the psychologist and explain the rationale behind your
choice.
Your response should be 100-200 words.
My recommendation would be that the psychologist utilizes the Correlational
method. The reason being he or she would be able to recognize every relationships
concerning pathological liars and examine the eminence of these particular individuals
relationships. This kind of research will permit the observer to possess the capability of a
thorough examination in addition to understanding and elucidating the ambiguity plus the
degree of the lies that are presented. Additionally he or she could do this by utilizing
questionnaires for their research endeavors. This would mean that he or she would gain
the opportunity of having a huge information location. After he or she has examined the
relationship, next they could consider about utilizing diverse possibilities for future
research. In my personal opinion, I would not decide on an experimental plan to execute
this type of research because I do not feel as though it would be the proper choice given
the nature of the research question that has been supplied.

BEH 225