Research methods

I think Experimental Research is most interesting. It gives the researcher the opportunity to design the experiment and variable to be tested. It is a creative process rather than just observation. In some methods like Unobtrusive Methods, it may be very hard to collect enough observed information on the particular variables you want to test. The risk with Experimental Research is that the experiment may not isolate the manipulation of the particular variable to be tested. The design of the experiment may not recreate things as they occur in the real world and may unintentionally introduce new variables.

The following is a potential research question regarding deception:

Do non-verbal communications in facial expression, eye contact and posture provide an accurate indication of deception during interrogation of suspected criminals?

I would want to use the Unobtrusive Method to answer the question. I would consider observing police interrogations without being seen or influencing the interrogation. I would observer non-verbal behavior and then see if there is a correlation to deception based on facts that come to light through other evidence.


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