Research Proposal

Research Methods Literature Review

PSY 635 Psychopharmacology

Ashford University

July 5, 2018

Introduction

The topic for the final research proposal is investigating whether social behaviors such as aggression can be acquired through imitation and observation. Throughout history, social behaviors such as aggression have spread like wildfire thereby promoting the presumption that it can be acquired through observation and imitation (Bandura, n.d.). Scholars have proposed varying theories to explore the relationship between violent behavior and the human brain. For example, delinquency has been identified to be contagious through exposure. Notably, this perception is upheld by the Social Learning Theory that states individuals imitate actions that they observe around them (Bandura, n.d.). Besides, the observational theory emphasizes that people can imitate social behaviors around them (Bandura, n.d.).

The distinct steps entail observation/attention that is followed suit by retention/emulation. When an individual observes a specific social behavior such as aggression, he/she takes into account the relevant elements within the learning environment (Bandura, n.d.). Subsequently, the individual internalizes the skill that is essential to mimic the behavior. Primarily, this is because aggression is perceived as a rewarding behavior thus could be readily acquired through others. Through the experimental method, it was hypothesized that children demonstrate aggressive behavior after observing another behaving aggressively and imitating the social conduct.

Non-Experimental; Observation

Observation is a form of qualitative research method that comprises both the researcher’s observations and ethnography work in the field. When using the observation research study design, various research sites are involved. As such, the observational data can be incorporated as confirmatory research (Cotton, Stokes & Cotton, 2010). While most disciplines rely on post-hoc approaches such as interviews and surveys to conduct research, observation of people provides a direct route of obtaining data regarding their respective behaviors. Besides, the observational data provide a deeper insight into the experience of the participants.

The basic methods of observation comprise of; controlled observation, participant observation and naturalistic observation (Cotton, Stokes & Cotton, 2010). Despite the importance of the different methods, the naturalistic observation will be more effective for this research. Primarily, this is because controlled observation is often conducted in a psychology laboratory while the participant observation can be difficult to record vital data (Cotton, Stokes & Cotton, 2010). However, the naturalistic/unstructured observation is effective in studying spontaneous behavior, such as aggression, of participants in natural settings. Considerably, this type of observation facilitates the study to observe the flow of behavior in its setting and is associated with greater validity. As this type of research design cannot be controlled, the researcher has the opportunity to collect vital data regarding the acquisition of social behaviors by the participants. Therefore, naturalistic observation functions as an effective method for obtaining relevant data for the research study.

Quantitative Experimental; Control Groups

The use of control groups is an essential aspect of research designs as this enables the researcher to minimize the effect of other variables except for the independent variable. The control group, which receives no form of intervention, is then used as a baseline for comparing the two groups and evaluating the impact of the intervention (Pithon, 2013). Notably, the control group features elements similar to that of the experimental group, except for the independent variable that should be applied to the latter (Pithon, 2013). This is a form of scientific control that enables the researchers to study one variable at a time. Through the use of controlled experiment, two experiments are conducted; the tested factor is applied to the experimental group whereas the tested factor is not applied to the control group (Pithon, 2013).

For this research study, the participants will be categorized into two groups, the experimental group, and the control group. The experimental group will be exposed to different types of social behaviors such as the assertion of dominance or aggression. On the other hand, the tested factor, social behaviors, will not be applied to the control group. From this, it can be ascertained whether the participants from the experimental group acquired social behaviors through observation and imitation. To avoid bias, the participants from the two groups will not be informed on who is exposed to the tested factor. Unlike the observation research design, control groups enable the researcher to control dependent variables for the different participants. Despite this, vast challenges will be experienced such as exposing the participants to unnecessary risks.

Qualitative; Ethnography

Ethnography is a qualitative approach that is concerned with learning about people relative to studying about individuals. Notably, ethnography is associated with in-depth observation of population groups while being cognizant of the influences of cultural contexts on the social interactions (Jones & Smith, 2017). Through ethnography, the researcher is immersed in the real world context of the participants and collect detailed analysis of the complexities shared in the social world (Jones & Smith, 2017). Traditionally, ethnography is a data collection method that can be used by the researcher to study specific population groups.

For this experiment, ethnography will expose the researcher to the participant’s real-world setting (Jones & Smith, 2017). However, the research will use a covert approach whereby the participants are unaware that they are being studied. The ethnographic approach will be used to produce voluminous unstructured data from different sources such as field work notes, interview transcripts, diaries, and memos. This research design is similar to the observational method but provides an in-depth observation of the participants. Despite this, it is not an effective method as the dependent variables cannot be controlled.

Mixed Methods; Explanatory Research

Explanatory research is a type of study that enables researches to find out reasons behind the occurrence of a specific phenomenon. This type of research is used to explain a specific phenomenon in the form of a causal relationship (Rahi, 2017). Through this, the researcher can get fresh insight regarding a particular occurrence for use in building, extending, elaborate or test a theory. The main objective of this research design is to identify a key variable and issues regarding a specified research problem (Rahi, 2017). Therefore, explanatory research is much more relevant during quantitative research.

For this research study, explanatory research will be used to elaborate further on the Social Learning theory that states individuals imitate actions that they observe around them. Besides, the research design can be used to test the observational theory which emphasizes that people can imitate social behaviors around them. Through this, the researcher can find out the reason behind the acquisition of social behaviors. By getting fresh insights on how individuals manage to acquire social behaviors such as aggression, the researcher can build, elaborate and test both the social learning and the observational theories. While explanatory research is an effective approach for building on the insights regarding the acquisition of social behaviors, it cannot control the different variables. The different research designs have in the past been used to obtain comprehensive data in research. Unlike these research designs, control groups enable the researcher to control dependent variables for the different participants. Therefore, this type of research design best fits the research study.

References

Bandura, A. (n.d.). Social learning theory of aggression. Journal of communication, 28(3), 12- 29.

Cotton, D. R., Stokes, A., & Cotton, P. A. (2010). Using observational methods to research the student experience. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 34(3), 463-473.

Jones, J., & Smith, J. (2017). Ethnography: challenges and opportunities. Evidence-Based Nursing. 2017; 20:98-100.

Pithon, M. M. (2013). Importance of the control group in scientific research. Dental press journal of orthodontics, 18(6), 13-14.

Rahi, S. (2017). Research design and methods: A systematic review of research paradigms, sampling issues and instruments development. International Journal of Economics & Management Sciences, 6(2), 1-5.