What are the main methods of investigation available to psychologists? Drawing on evidence from studies what are the advantages/disadvantages of these methods?

In order to study the various types of human or animal behaviour psychologists have a wide range of research methods at their disposal. For the most part, specific methods suit certain areas of investigation, for example, observational studies are preferable to lab experiments when looking the natural behaviour of animals. These methods of investigation are split into two overall areas: laboratory and field research. With laboratory research, participants are brought into an environment of the experimenters creation whilst field research takes place in the participants natural environment. Within these two methods of research are sub-methods of investigation; these can include observations, case studies, cross-cultural…(short extract)