RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
The determination of a method is important after the determination of the object to
be studied. In terms of method, whether a research is scientific or not. On this occasion,
it will be stated that the methods used in the field of psychology are also applied which
are used by other sciences, but of course they are adjusted to the state of the object itself.
Basically, the research method can be distinguished into two major parts, namely the
longitudegal and crossetional methods.
1. Longitudinal Method
This method is a research method that takes a relatively long time to
achieve research. With this method, research is carried out day by day, month by
month, maybe even year by year. Therefore, when viewed in terms of the course
of this research, it is vertical. For example, the methods taken in research on
child development. The results of observations are recorded day by day, month
by month and year by year. The results were collected and processed and then
concluded to be drawn. Of course, by using this research method, researchers
need a long time, patience and perseverance.
2. Metode Cross-Sectional
This method is a research method that does not take too long to conduct
research. With this method, in a relatively short time, a lot of materials can be
collected. So if you look at the research process horizontally. For example,
research using questionnaires is a cross-sectional research. Of course, this
research can take place quickly, but it is generally less in-depth. Therefore, to
overcome the shortcomings of one party and take advantage of the other, often
these two methods are combined.
In addition to the methods mentioned above in psychological research, (a)
experimental and (b) non-experimental methods are also used. With the
experimental method, the researcher deliberately causes the situation to be
studied, and this is different from the non-experimental researcher who searches
or waits until the state or situation he wants to be studied is found, so he looks
for a situation that exists in a natural state.
In experimental research, the researcher deliberately causes a situation or
situation that he or she wants to study or in other words the researcher uses a
treatment or treatment, which he wants to know the consequences of the
treatment. The principle in the experiment is to find out the effect of a treatment
imposed by the researcher on the circumstances he is subjected to. In
experimental treatment, it is an independent variable, while the changes that
occur are dependent variables. In addition to the characteristics of the treatment
power, in the experiment it is necessary to have a control to be able to control
whether the change is really the result of the treatment. Therefore, in the
experiment, it is necessary to have a control group in addition to the existence of
an experimental group. With the holding of experimental methods in psychology,
experimental psychology arose. Experiments can be used in various kinds of
psychology, for example in social psychology, educational psychology, industrial
psychology, and so on, so that experimental social psychology, experimental
educational psychology and others arise. Therefore, according to Morgon, et al.
(1984). To distinguish experimental psychology from other psychology lies not
only in the method used, but also in what is discussed or researched.
For more details, the methods used in the field of psychology can be stated as follows:
1. Introspection Method
The meaning of the word introspection is to look inward (intro = inward
and reflection from spectare = see). This method is a research method by looking
at psychological events into oneself. This method of introspection can be
experimental and can be non-experimental. Of course, this research is carried out
consciously and systematically according to scientific research norms. But
because in this study the object is itself, this method contains weaknesses. The
main weakness that is often pointed out against this method is that this method
is objective, because people are often dishonest in conducting research on
themselves, especially about things that are not good. Therefore, with this
method, it is difficult to achieve the aspect of objectivity, even though the aspect
of objectivity is demanded by science.
2. Experimental Introspection Methods
In the pure method of introspection, only the researcher himself is the
object. He himself is the measure of everything. The conclusions drawn are
conclusions based only on themselves.
But in the experimental method of introspection, this is not the case. For
example, one class is tried, regarding problem solving. After that, each individual
is told to introspect what is happening in him or her as they solve the problem.
From the overall results are concluded to be a conclusion. This conclusion is a
conclusion based on experimental introspection. Thus, the subjective nature of
the above introspection method by using more subjects.
3. Extrospection Method
o = out, spectre from spectare = see).
This method is intended to overcome the weaknesses contained in the
introspection method. In the introspection method, the research subject is not
himself but someone else. Thus, it is hoped that there will be an objective nature
in the research.
However, the actual extrospection method is also based on the
introspection method. People will be able to say or conclude what happens to
others, also based on their own circumstances. One can say that a person is in a
difficult state, in a state of joy, in a hurry, and so on because he himself
experiences such things in such a situation. Thus, the weaknesses contained in
the introspection method will also be more or less found in the introspection
method.
4. Method Combinations
Questionnaire or often called questionnaire is a research method using a list
of questions or statements that must be answered or worked on by the person
who is the subject of the research. With questionnaires, people will be able to
obtain facts or opinions (opinions). The questions in the questionnaire depend on
the purpose and goals to be achieved. This will have an influence on the material
and form of the questionnaire questions. The size of the questionnaire is separate
from two major parts, namely:
A. The section that contains the identity section
B. The section that contains the part of the questions or statements that you want
to get answered.
5. Method Interview
nterview is a research method using questions. If in the questionnaire the
questions are given orally, then in the interview the questions are oral. Between
interviews and questionnaires, there are the same things besides differences.
Both questionnaires and interviews use questions, but they differ in their
presentation. If the two methods are compared, then in the interview there are
advantages in addition to disadvantages.
6. Biography Method
This method is a writing about a person's life which is a life history. In a
biography, people describe the situation, attitude or other characteristics about
the person concerned. Therefore, biography is also a source of research in the
field of psychology. For example, the biography of Mrs. Kartini, Arung Palakka,
Ki Hajar Dewantara, Grandma Mallomo and so on. This method, in addition to
having advantages, also has a weakness, namely that this method is sometimes
subjective, in the sense that according to the view that makes the biography. For
example, if the person who makes the biography agrees, then of course the
person in making the biography will be influenced by his point of view,
especially in the autobiography (self-biography).
The nature of objectivity will be more or less found in biographies, so to
overcome the need to get a more objective picture can be taken by researching
biographies from various authors, so that it is hoped that a more complete picture
will be obtained.
7. Work Analysis Method
This is a research method by conducting an analysis of the work. For
example, among other things, about the pictures, essays that have been made,
these works are the origination of the state of one's soul. In this case, it also
includes a person's diary.
8. Clinical Methods
This method first arose in the clinical field to study the condition of a
person whose soul is disturbed (abnormal). In general, this method is used by
clinical psychologists. The weakness of this method seems to give the impression
that the subjects are people whose souls are abnormal, so that the results achieved
do not describe the state of the soul in general.
9. Method Testing
This method is a research method that uses questions, questions, or other
tasks that have been standardized. Judging from the way people do the test, it
seems like an experiment, but these two materials are different. In experiments,
people deliberately apply the treatment. In the test, people want to know the
abilities or other characteristics of the testee. In the test, the important thing is
that there has been standardization and this is not included in the experiment.
10. Statistical Methods
In general, statistical methods are used to conduct an analysis of the
material or data that has been collected in a study.
