Descriptive Research Designs

1 Describe general characteristics and purposes of (a) observation studies, (b) correlational research, (c) developmental designs, and (d) survey research. Also, describe effective strategies you might use in each of these four research methodologies.

2 Identify effective strategies for conducting a face-to-face, telephone, or video-conferencing interview.

3 Identify effective strategies for constructing and administering a questionnaire and for analyzing people’s responses to it.

4 Explain possible uses of checklists, rating scales, rubrics, computer software, and the Internet in data collection.

5 Determine an appropriate sample for a descriptive study.

6 Describe common sources of bias in descriptive research, as well as strategies for minimizing the influences of such biases.