Method Advantages Disadvantages Lab experiment High control over variables Reliable Low ecological validity Demand characteristics Field experiment High ecological validity Reduction of demand characteristics Difficulty to control variables More difficult to replicate Natural experiment Lack of direct intervention Loss of control Opportunities for research is limited Questionnaire Easy to distribute to large number of p’s Quant & qual data can be gathered Social desirability Interpretation of questions Interviews Qual data gathered Questions can be clarified Interviewer effects Social desirability bias Correlational studies Can be used when an experiment is not possible Show strength of relationships Do not show causality Other variables may influence measured variables Case studies Rich in detail Sometimes the only method to use Unreliable Researcher bias Observations Mostly high in ecological validity Less demand characteristics (if covert) Observer bias Ethical issues