methods of research. research methods how do psychologists go about testing a theory? various forms...
TRANSCRIPT
METHODS OF RESEARCH
RESEARCH METHODS
• HOW DO PSYCHOLOGISTS GO ABOUT
TESTING A THEORY?
VARIOUS FORMS OF RESEARCH ARE USED
SPECIFIC STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN
FORUMLATE A HYPOTHESIS
• STATEMENT OF EXPECTED RESULTS.
• CLEARLY DEFINED
TEST HYPOTHESIS
• Determine the best method to use to test your hypothesis and then develop your procedures.
• Determine if you need an experimental group and one or more control groups.
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP• IS EXPOSED TO THE INDEPENDENT
VARIABLE –WHAT YOU ARE TESTING
CONTROL GROUP
•IS NOT EXPOSED TO THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
Experimental group-receives the independent variable
Control group- does not receive the independent variable (may use placebo)Attempt to control other variables
Measure results: dependent variable
If………..(independent variable)
Then……….(dependent variable)
AT 3:00 A.M. IN NYC, KITTY GENOVESE WASATTACKED ON THESTREET IN FRONTOF HER APARTMENT. IT TOOK THE MAN OVER 30 MINUTESTO MURDER HER.
38 NEIGHBORS STOOD AT THEIR WINDOWS
AND WATCHED
KITTY BROKE AWAY FROMHER ASSAILANT, ONLYTO BE CAUGHT AGAIN.
SHE SCREAMED FOR HELPOVER AND OVER AGAIN.
NO ONE HELPED HER ORCALLED THE POLICE.
FINALLY, ONE NEIGHBORCALLED THE POLICE, BUT IT WAS TOO LATEFOR KITTY.
• IN A GAME OF CATCH, THE WAY THE BALL IS THROWN WILL AFFECT WHETHER THE BALL IS CAUGHT.
• STUDENTS SCORE HIGHER ON ACT TESTS IN THE MORNING THAN IN THE AFTERNOON
• STRICT PARENTS RAISE CHILDREN WHO RARELY GET IN TROUBLE.
• The independent variable is the “if” part of the experiment The dependent variable is the “then” part of the experiment-what you are measuring.
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
FIELD EXPERIMENT
SURVEY METHOD
NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION
INTERVIEW
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
MORE ACCURATE, OBJECTIVE DATA
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST OFTEN COMBINED WITH THE INTERVIEWTO PROVIDE SUBJECTIVE ANDOBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVE.
CASE STUDY METHOD
LONGITUDINAL METHOD
CROSS-SECTIONAL
• LESS EXPENSIVE AND TIME-
CONSUMING THAN THE LONGITUDINAL METHOD.
• NOT APPROPRIATE FOR STUDIES ON
DEVELOPMENT OVER TIME.
CAN YOU TRUST THOSE POLLS
• What method of gathering information has become a public relations and lobbying tool?
• Describe how opinions about funding for foreign aid can show different results depending upon how the question is asked.
• Give similar examples regarding funding for public television, the arts,
and social security.
• What are the five tips one should consider in assessing poll results?
• From what you now know about the standards of research studies, find out as much as you can about any study or poll that you read about in a newspaper or magazine.