Chapter 2 The Research Process

Text: Zechmeister, J. S., Zechmeister, E. B., & Shaughnessy, J. J. (2001). Essentials of research methods in Psychology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research Question

Develop a Research QuestionCultural Context

Theories are becoming increasingly complex

Temporal (time-related) characteristics of knowledge

Ethnocentrism – when we attempt to understand the behavior of people in a different culture through the view of our own culture

Develop a Research QuestionSearch the Psychological Literature

The answer to your question may already be there

Science is cumulative – current research builds on previous research

Electronic databasesRead the articles – not just the Abstract

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research Hypothesis

Forming Theories and Hypotheses

Research hypothesis is a tentative

explanation for a phenomenon

Hypothesis: based on a theory, a

prediction about the outcome of research

Forming Theories and Hypotheses

TheoriesIdeas about how nature worksGuides research by suggesting hypotheses

Function is to guide research and organize empirical knowledge

The greater the scope of a theory, the more complicated it is likely to be

Forming Theories and Hypotheses

TheoriesSuggest testable hypotheses

Research hypothesis – potential explanation

We empirically test hypotheses to look for support or disconfirmation of a theory

Is the theory logical?Best theories are parsimonious - simple

Forming Theories, Hypotheses, and Operational DefinitionsHypotheses

Testable hypotheses have clearly defined concepts, are not circular, and refer to concepts that can be observed

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational Definitions

Forming Operational Definitions

Operational DefinitionsDefine a concept solely in terms of the “operations” (or methods) used to produce and measure it

Once defined, no disagreement about what the concept means, according to this definition for this study

Identify variables (factors that vary)

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research Design

Choose a Research DesignPlan for answering a research question

Four types of designs:Observational and CorrelationalExperimentalQuasi-experimentalSingle-case designs

Observational and Correlational Research Designs

Description and predictionResearcher does not attempt to control or manipulate characteristics of the participants or the setting

Select a sample, then observe and measure variables = assigning numbers to observations

Causation is not addressed

Experimental DesignsTo answer questions about the causes of

phenomenaMaximize control over variables in the

experimentIndependent variable – controlled or

manipulated by the researcherDependent variable – depends on how the

independent variable is manipulatedMost powerful designs for measuring cause-

and-effect

Quasi-experimental designs

Not able to control all

aspects of the environment

Single-case designsMost often used in clinical contexts

Baseline-treatment-baselineObserve behavior as it naturally occurs

Control as many aspects of the treatment situation as possible

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the Ethics

Evaluate the Ethics of ResearchRisk/BenefitCommittees at universities and hospitals for the purpose of considering ethical issues associated with research

Participant welfare

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the EthicsCollect Data

Collect DataIdentify the sampleRandom selectionObservation/measurement

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the EthicsCollect DataAnalyze Data and Form Conclusions

Analyze Data/Form ConclusionsData analysis – summarize

individuals’ responses and determine whether data supports the hypothesis

Stages:Get to know the dataSummarize the dataConfirm what the data reveal

Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the EthicsCollect DataAnalyze Data and Form ConclusionsReport Research Results

Report Research Results

Conferences

Peer review journals

End of Unit 2 Seminar! Questions???

Congratulations! You have a broad

overview of research which will help

sort out what your Unit 2 Project entails.

See you on the Discussion Board!