Download - Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 Research Methods in Psychology

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1

Research Methods in PsychologyResearch Methods in Psychology


Research Preview QuestionsResearch Preview Questions

• What are the major objectives of science?• What is the scientific method, and what are its four

general steps?• What are the major research methods psychologists

use?• What ethical guidelines must psychologists follow in their

research?

• What are the major objectives of science?• What is the scientific method, and what are its four

general steps?• What are the major research methods psychologists

use?• What ethical guidelines must psychologists follow in their

research?


Objectives of ScienceObjectives of Science

• Description– Observations vs. inferences

• Explanation

– Purpose of theories

• Prediction

• Control

• Description– Observations vs. inferences

• Explanation

– Purpose of theories

• Prediction

• Control


Figure 1.9: General Steps in the Scientific Method

Figure 1.9: General Steps in the Scientific Method

Precision is an important component in defining the research questionsOperational Definitions are required with abstract ideas.


Case Study Method Case Study Method

• In-depth study of one or more individuals.

• Anecdotes as casual case studies.

• Limitations of case study method.

• In-depth study of one or more individuals.

• Anecdotes as casual case studies.

• Limitations of case study method.


Survey MethodSurvey Method

• Information gathered from targeted groups of people.

– Structured interviews

– Questionnaires

• Goal: generalize from sample to population

– Importance of random sampling

• Problems

– Social desirability bias

– Volunteer bias

• Information gathered from targeted groups of people.

– Structured interviews

– Questionnaires

• Goal: generalize from sample to population

– Importance of random sampling

• Problems

– Social desirability bias

– Volunteer bias


Naturalistic ObservationNaturalistic Observation

• Direct observation of behavior in natural environment.

• Problems

– Observer biases

– Possible unintended consequences

• Direct observation of behavior in natural environment.

• Problems

– Observer biases

– Possible unintended consequences


Correlational MethodCorrelational Method

• Used to examine the relationship between two variables.

• Correlation coefficient as a statistical measure of association

– Positive vs. negative correlations

• Limitation: Correlation is not causation.

• Used to examine the relationship between two variables.

• Correlation coefficient as a statistical measure of association

– Positive vs. negative correlations

• Limitation: Correlation is not causation.


Benefits of the Correlational MethodBenefits of the Correlational Method

• Offers clues to underlying causes.

• Can identify groups at high risk for physical or behavioral problems.

• Increases understanding of relationships between variables or events.

• Offers clues to underlying causes.

• Can identify groups at high risk for physical or behavioral problems.

• Increases understanding of relationships between variables or events.


Experimental MethodExperimental Method

• Allows for investigation of cause-and-effect relationships.

• Independent Variables: Factors that are manipulated in an experiment.

• Dependent Variables: Outcome variables believed to be dependent on independent variable.

• Allows for investigation of cause-and-effect relationships.

• Independent Variables: Factors that are manipulated in an experiment.

• Dependent Variables: Outcome variables believed to be dependent on independent variable.



ParticipantsParticipants

Independent variable: control groupIndependent variable: control group

Independent variable: experimental groupIndependent variable: experimental group

Random AssignmentRandom Assignment

Measure dependent variable: Is there a difference?Measure dependent variable: Is there a difference?



• Controlling for placebo effects

• Controlling for expectancy effects

– Single-blind and double-blind procedures

• Controlling for placebo effects

• Controlling for expectancy effects

– Single-blind and double-blind procedures


Ethical Principles in Psychological Research

Ethical Principles in Psychological Research

• Purposes:

– Promote individual dignity.

– Protect human welfare.

– Preserve scientific integrity.

• Role of ethics review committees

• Role of informed consent

• Importance of confidentiality

• Ethical guidelines for animal research

• Purposes:

– Promote individual dignity.

– Protect human welfare.

– Preserve scientific integrity.

• Role of ethics review committees

• Role of informed consent

• Importance of confidentiality

• Ethical guidelines for animal research

Download - Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 Research Methods in Psychology

Top Related