Research Methods in Psychology

3.3 Assignment. Experimental Methods and Variables

Getting Started

One of the most important aspects of the experimental design is the researcher’s ability to manipulate (and control for) the variables. Variables are any constructs that can vary; being able to accurately measure them is extremely important. One aspect of measurement is called operationalizing, where a researcher determines—through a literature search and review—how others have measured the same or similar variables and gains an understanding of some of the “gold standards” for measuring such variables. For example, if we were to attempt to study the concept of ‘happiness’ we would want to look in the professional literature to find out how other researchers have operationalized ‘happiness.’ Are they looking at smiles, laughter, and reportedly ‘fun memories?’ Or are they operationalizing ‘happiness’ by the examination of deeper constructs such as reported purpose in life, good relationships or closeness with God?

Operationalizing variables or constructs simply asks the question “How are we going to practically and concretely understand and even measure the concept? When the variable or concept is as subjective as ‘happiness’ then how are we going to measure it with any kind of agreement?

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Write a brief methods section for a research proposalCompare and contrast experimental and correlational research designs.

Resources

· Textbook:  Scientific Advances in Positive Psychology

· Video: Experiment Research and Design

· Webpage: Writing Guide: Independent and Dependent Variables

· Website: OCLS Introduction to Research Guide

· Website: OCLS Article Databases

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

For this assignment, you will examine the differences in measuring variables in experimental and correlational studies. Additionally, you will explore the challenge of measuring the variable “positive emotion,” providing your own suggestion about how you would measure it. This will give you a deeper understanding of the challenges and complexities of measuring some variables. 

Instructions

1. In your textbook,  Scientific Advances in Positive Psychology, read  Chapter 3 , “Positive Emotions.”

2. Watch the video,  Experiment Research and Design  (23:11). (This video includes a transcript.)

a. OpenAthens will prompt you to type in Indiana Wesleyan University to log in and watch the video.

3. Review the webpage,  Writing Guide: Independent and Dependent Variables .

4. Write a paper comparing and contrasting experimental methods with correlational methods.

a. How are independent and dependent variables determined and measured?

b. Describe the debate of measuring the variable “positive emotion,” as well as how you might measure it and why.

5. Your paper should be a minimum of two pages in length, APA formatted.

3.4 Assignment. The Methods Section of the Research Proposal

Getting Started

You are now going to write another section of your research proposal. This is the methods section. Review your research question. Is it clearly stated? How are you operationalizing your concept or concepts? What is the literature saying about your topic? How are the researchers exploring the topic, designing their studies, controlling their variables?

Based on your research question and the review of the literature, how would you go about actually designing your study? Would you look at naturally occurring variables to establish the possibility of correlational patterns? Would you control or manipulate an independent variable in order to see if it caused a change in your dependent variable? How would you know if your experiment or the measurements you used were reliable?

These are just some of the concepts you have learned thus far. You are not expected to write an exhaustive methods section. However, it is imperative that you write with a working knowledge of the different types of research methods that can be used for your study.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Write a brief methods section for a research proposal.

Resources

· Website: OCLS Introduction to Research Guide

· Website: OCLS Article Databases

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

For this assignment you will write a two-page methods section. Later, your literature review (from 2.4) and your methods section will be integrated to create your completed Research Proposal. For now, you will just focus on the Methods Section.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. our Methods Section should be at least 2 pages in APA format. Be sure to note the research methods you will be using, the variables you will be examining, the measurements or tests you will need to use, and any additional concepts that are pertinent to the methods section (e.g. how you will ensure randomization, operationalization).

3.2 Discussion. Measurement

Getting Started

Measurement in psychological research involves a variety of elements or components. Researchers must determine how they will measure their variables, why they made those measurement choices, the criteria of measurement Two important concepts pertaining to measurement are reliability and validity. Reliability, simply put, means how ‘reliable’ is the test or measurement from one administration to the next? Can it produce the same results again and again? If a test of intelligence is given to someone in the morning, will the subject score the same the next day or the next?

Validity asks the question, is the measurement really measuring the construct we want to measure? If we are asking about intelligence levels, the measurement needs to be developed in order to measure intelligence, not something else. 

Reliability is the degree to which a measurement can produce consistent results.  Validity refers to how well a test measures what it is purported to measure.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Evaluate measurement in psychological research.

Resources

· Textbook:  Scientific Advances in Positive Psychology

· Article: Measuring Depression in Korean Americans

Background Information

In this discussion, you will examine aspects of measurement in psychological research in order to understand some of the important aspects of measurement.

Instructions

1. Review the following topics in your textbook,  Scientific Advances in Positive Psychology:

a. Measurement in:  Chapter 1  &  Chapter 4

b. Measures of pre-traumatic growth in:  Chapter 6

c. Issues related to measurement and culture in:  Chapter 10

2. Read the article,  Measuring Depression in Korean Americans .

3. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion prompts:

a. What did you learn about measurement from the article? Be specific in your response.

b. How did it inform your own research proposal? Cite examples to support your post.

c. What questions do you have about measurement, especially as related to your capstone project? Clearly articulate your specific measurement questions so that your peers may respond with their findings.

4. Your initial post:

a. Should be between 400 to 500 words.

5. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

3.3 Assignment. Experimental Methods and Variables

Getting Started

One of the most important aspects of the experimental design is the researcher’s ability to manipulate (and control for) the variables. Variables are any constructs that can vary; being able to accurately measure them is extremely important. One aspect of measurement is called operationalizing, where a researcher determines—through a literature search and review—how others have measured the same or similar variables and gains an understanding of some of the “gold standards” for measuring such variables. For example, if we were to attempt to study the concept of ‘happiness’ we would want to look in the professional literature to find out how other researchers have operationalized ‘happiness.’ Are they looking at smiles, laughter, and reportedly ‘fun memories?’ Or are they operationalizing ‘happiness’ by the examination of deeper constructs such as reported purpose in life, good relationships or closeness with God?

Operationalizing variables or constructs simply asks the question “How are we going to practically and concretely understand and even measure the concept? When the variable or concept is as subjective as ‘happiness’ then how are we going to measure it with any kind of agreement?

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Write a brief methods section for a research proposalCompare and contrast experimental and correlational research designs.

Resources

· Textbook:  Scientific Advances in Positive Psychology

· Video: Experiment Research and Design

· Webpage: Writing Guide: Independent and Dependent Variables

· Website: OCLS Introduction to Research Guide

· Website: OCLS Article Databases

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

For this assignment, you will examine the differences in measuring variables in experimental and correlational studies. Additionally, you will explore the challenge of measuring the variable “positive emotion,” providing your own suggestion about how you would measure it. This will give you a deeper understanding of the challenges and complexities of measuring some variables. 

Instructions

1. In your textbook,  Scientific Advances in Positive Psychology, read  Chapter 3 , “Positive Emotions.”

2. Watch the video,  Experiment Research and Design  (23:11). (This video includes a transcript.)

a. OpenAthens will prompt you to type in Indiana Wesleyan University to log in and watch the video.

3. Review the webpage,  Writing Guide: Independent and Dependent Variables .

4. Write a paper comparing and contrasting experimental methods with correlational methods.

a. How are independent and dependent variables determined and measured?

b. Describe the debate of measuring the variable “positive emotion,” as well as how you might measure it and why.

5. Your paper should be a minimum of two pages in length, APA formatted.