Chapter2 Research Methods
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Transcript of Chapter2 Research Methods
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Chapter 2: The Research Enterprise in Psychology
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Basic assumption: events are governed by some lawful orderGoals:Measurement and descriptionUnderstanding and prediction Application and control
Looking for Laws:The Scientific Approach to Behavior
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Formulate a testable hypothesisTheory or data-drivenOperational definition
Select the research method and design the studyCollect the data
Analyze the data and draw conclusions
Report the findingsSteps in a Scientific Investigation
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Direct ObservationQuestionnaireInterviewPsychological TestPhysiological RecordingExamination of Archival RecordsData Collection Techniques
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Experiment = manipulation of one variable under controlled conditions so that resulting changes in another variable can be observedDetection of cause-and-effect relationshipsIndependent variable (IV) = variable manipulatedDependent variable (DV) = variable affected by manipulation How does X affect Y? X = Independent Variable, and Y = Dependent VariableLooking for Causes: Experimental Research
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Experimental groupControl group Random assignmentManipulate independent variable for one group only Resulting differences in the two groups must be due to the independent variableExtraneous and confounding variablesExperimental and Control Groups:The Logic of the Scientific Method
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Strengths: conclusions about cause-and-effect can be drawnWeaknesses: artificial nature of experimentsethical and practical issuesStrengths and Weaknessesof Experimental Research
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Direction of relationship Strength of relationshipCorrelation coefficientCorrelation and predictionCorrelation and causationThe Concept of Correlation
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Figure 2.6 Positive and negative correlation
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Methods used when a researcher cannot manipulate the variables under studyNaturalistic observationCase studiesSurveysAllow researchers to describe patterns of behavior and discover links or associations between variables but cannot imply causation
Descriptive Methods
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Sampling bias Placebo effects Distortions in self-report data:Social desirability bias Response set Experimenter bias the double-blind solutionEvaluating Research:Methodological Pitfalls
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The question of deceptionThe question of animal researchControversy among psychologists and the publicEthical standards for research: the American Psychological AssociationEnsures both human and animal subjects are treated with dignityEthics in Psychological Research:Do the Ends Justify the Means?
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