psychology final exam
kristie lccc
psy_011_week_42016-07-25-10-22-46.pptWeek 4
Research methods in Psychology
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Goals of psychology
- To describe, predict and control behavior.
- These goals are accomplished by using the scientific method, which is systematic and empirical (Research is based on observable events).
- Predict, detect and describe behavioral patterns.
- Understand – adding an explanation to our descriptive and predictive knowledge.
Applied vs Basic Research
- Applied Research has clear, practical applications.
- Basic Research explores questions that you may be curious about, but not intended to be immediately used.
Why new researches are necessary
- No theory, research is prefect/complete.
- Theories are always subject to revision as more and more information becomes available.
- Changing sociocultural dynamics.
- Increasing complexity in behavioural researches.
Research techniques
- By asking questions of a representative sample, researchers using the survey method can provide useful information about a much larger population.
- Case-study: an in-depth analysis of a single person or event.
- Although the findings may apply only to the person who was studied, they may provide direction for further study using other methods.
Terminologies
- Types of researches
- Hypothesis: Expresses a relationship between two variables.
- Variable: A variable is anything that can vary among participants in a study. (IV & DV)
- HP: Participating in classroom lectures leads to better grades than online class.
- Sampling: Identifying the population you to be studied. Sample must be representative of the population you want to study.
Correlational research
- Describes whether the values of two variables are related.
- Weather vs appetite, mood.
- Do not measure causality: Correlation is NOT causation.
- Factors of association to make predictions.
- Statement: Impact of family structure on the social performance among children.
- Research Question: Do children in single parent families become less sociable?
- Hypothesis: Children in single parent families are more unwilling to participate in social events.
Generalizability of the findings
- The extent to which the findings from a research study are relevant to individuals and settings beyond those specifically examined in the study.
- The extent to which observed relationship obtained from research design/study are “generalizable”.
Types of researches
- Experimental: Investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether changes occur in a second variable(detect cause-effect relationships).
Experimental vs Control group
Subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable vs Subjects who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group
Dose-response relationship.
Sample
Control Experimental
Impact on DV
Quasi-experimental
- Participants must be and are selected for different conditions from pre–existing groups
- Levels of the IV are/may be selected from pre–existing values and not created through manipulation by the researcher
- Unlike true experimental designs where participants are randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, with quasi–experimental designs they are NOT.
- Quasi–experiments DO NOT permit the researcher to control the assignment of participants to conditions or groups
Observational research
- Careful, usually prolonged, observation of behavior without intervening directly with the subjects
- No manipulation by researcher
- Impact of smoking on
Observational research
- Advantages: Data collected is very accurate and reliable. Problem of depending on respondents is decreased. Observation is less demanding in nature, which makes it less bias in working abilities. By observation, one can identify a problem by making an in depth analysis of the problems.
- Disadvantages: Problems of the past cannot be studied by means of observation. Having no other option one has to depend on the documents available. Observations like the controlled observations require some especial instruments or tools for effective working, which are very much costly. One cannot study opinions by this means. Attitudes cannot be studied with the help of observations.
Qualitative research
- A class of research methods in which the investigator takes an active role in interacting with the subjects he or she wishes to study.
- Interview/focus group-
- Ethnography: a research method that utilizes field observation to study a society’s culture.
- Emic vs Etic
Emic: an approach to researching phenomena that emphasizes knowledge derived from the participants’ understanding of their own culture.
- Etic: An approach to researching phenomena that emphasizes knowledge derived from the perspective of an objective investigator in understanding a culture.
Potential errors
- Results and interpretation of a scientific experiment can be influenced by research method, personal biases.
- The extent to which we can infer that a relationship between two variables is causal or that absence of a relationship implies absence of cause.
- The extent to which observed relationship obtained from research design/study is real or artefactual.
Secondary data analysis
- Scoping Review: general literature search.
- Systematic review: systematic literature search.
- Meta-analysis – statistical procedure designed to combine the results of many individual, independently conducted empirical studies into a single result or outcome
Ethical Guidelines for Research
- IRB- Internal Review Board
- Both for humans and animals.
- No Coercion- must be voluntary
- Informed consent
- Anonymity
- No significant risk
- Must debrief
Publication of research articles
Sections of a research article:
