Non-experimental Methods
Choose and evaluate observation, case study, interview and questionnaire methods.
How to study Higher Psychology
Build each answer from accurate psychological knowledge, named evidence, application to behaviour, analysis and justified evaluation.
Core concepts
Concept 1
observation
Exam cue: Choose a method that can answer the aim ethically and practically.
Concept 2
case study
Exam cue: Identify whether the method produces qualitative, quantitative or mixed data.
Concept 3
structured and less structured interviews
Exam cue: Make evaluation specific to how the method is used.
Concept 4
open and closed questionnaire items
Concept 5
method choice and data type
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Assuming a questionnaire is automatically anonymous.
Guardrail: Avoid deterministic claims, unsupported causation and generic evaluation disconnected from the named evidence.
Treating a case study as a participant design.
Guardrail: Avoid deterministic claims, unsupported causation and generic evaluation disconnected from the named evidence.
Claiming qualitative data cannot be analysed systematically.
Guardrail: Avoid deterministic claims, unsupported causation and generic evaluation disconnected from the named evidence.
Memory anchors
Observation
Records behaviour using defined categories or qualitative notes without relying only on self-report.
Case study
An intensive investigation of one person, group, event or setting using rich evidence.
Interview
Allows direct questioning, with structure affecting consistency and depth.
Closed question
Offers fixed response options that are easier to quantify.
Open question
Allows fuller responses but requires more interpretation.
Method justification
Tie the method’s data, control, realism, ethics and practicality to the specific aim.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What is an observation method?
What is a strength of naturalistic observation?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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