Long Description

METHOD	DEFINITION SOURCE:
Participant Observation	A research method where the researchers become interactive observers in the lives of the people that they are studying and observing. The researchers collect data through observations, interviews, and other forms of documentation. Sometimes this method is referred to as fieldwork.
Oral History	A research method where people speak about historical events that have occurred in their culture, their ways of life, and cultural celebrations and patterns. Subjects may also speak about how they think their culture might be changing.
Semi-structured interview	A semi-structured interview is considered a qualitative method of data collection. This approach combines a pre-determined set of open-ended questions, but the researcher can also ask other questions during the interview to have the subjects expand on what they are thinking.
Ethnography	Researchers who use the ethnographic research method record and analyse different aspects of the everyday lives, behaviours, and interactions of the people, society, and cultures that they study. After they write down (capture) all their observations, they have a rich account that thoroughly describes the social lives and culture of the group that they studied.
Genealogy	Researchers who use the research method of genealogy study different families, their lineages, and their family histories (i.e., Where did they come from?). Genealogists use different methods of data collection, such as (oral) interviews, historical records, and genetic testing and analysis. They share their research findings in chart form or narrative form.
Archaeological Excavation	In archaeological excavations, researchers remove soil, sediment, or rock to undercover different artifacts. They study the artifacts that they find to try to learn more about human activity and the society or culture that used them.

METHOD	DEFINITION SOURCE:
Experiment	Experiments are the most common research method used by psychologists. An experiment tests researchers' hypotheses in a controlled setting. The goal of an experiment is to find a cause and effect relationship between variables (e.g., Variable A caused Variable B). Some people believe that experiments are more objective than other research methods, so they may be considered (by some) more valid and less biased.
Surveys	Surveys contain different questions that people answer. Survey results reflect information about people’s opinions or experiences. A benefit with surveys is that they are relatively inexpensive and they can be given out to many people in a relatively little amount of time. However, people may not always tell the truth on a survey. If they didn't, it would likely be hard to tell, and it would skew or alter the research findings.
Observation	Naturalistic Observation occurs when researchers study people in their natural environments. The subjects likely do not realize the researcher is there, so they act as they naturally would. The researchers watch them and make notes about their behaviours.

Case Study	When researchers use the case study method it means that they study one case (or one person’s story) in great depth - as opposed to a larger population or sample size. Studying only one case allows researchers to make very detailed notes and observations over a longer period of time.
Content Analysis	Sociologists use the content analysis research method to learn more about the lives of people. They analyse different artifacts, such as art, film, poetry, music, images, media, newspapers, magazines, and other cultural products to learn about societies.
Observations	Naturalistic Observation occurs when researchers study people in their natural environments. The subjects likely do not realize the researcher is there, so they act as they naturally would. The researchers watch them and make notes about their behaviours.
Focus Group	Focus groups are a form of qualitative research that is commonly used in sociological research (research conducted by sociologists). During a focus group, a group of individuals is brought together to talk about the topic that is being studying. The researchers guide the discussion and they collect information in their notes to study after the group leaves.
Survey	Surveys contain different questions that people answer. Survey results reflect information about people’s opinions or experiences.A benefit with surveys is that they are relatively inexpensive and they can be given out to a lot of people in a relatively little amount of time. However, people may not always tell the truth on a survey. If they didn’t, it would likely be hard to tell, and it would skew or alter the research findings.