Research StrategiesResearch Strategies

Making Sense of Making Sense of Research MethodsResearch Methods

Research MethodsResearch Methods

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking– Does not blindly accept conclusions or Does not blindly accept conclusions or

argumentsarguments

–Examines assumptionsExamines assumptions–Evaluates evidenceEvaluates evidence–Assesses conclusionsAssesses conclusions

Researcher biasResearcher bias

A tendency for researchers to A tendency for researchers to selectively notice evidence that selectively notice evidence that supports their hypotheses or supports their hypotheses or expectationsexpectations

Participant biasParticipant bias

A tendency for research A tendency for research participants to act a certain participants to act a certain way because they know they way because they know they are being observedare being observed

EthicsEthics

Four basic principles:Four basic principles:

1.1. Informed consentInformed consent

2.2. Right to be protected from harm and Right to be protected from harm and discomfortdiscomfort

3.3. Right to confidentialityRight to confidentiality

4.4. Right to debriefing – participants must Right to debriefing – participants must receive a full explanation of the receive a full explanation of the research they were involved inresearch they were involved in

Types of Research MethodsTypes of Research Methods

Naturalistic Observation, Case Naturalistic Observation, Case Studies, Correlations, SurveysStudies, Correlations, Surveys

Naturalistic ObservationNaturalistic Observation

Observing and recording behavior Observing and recording behavior in a naturally occurring situationin a naturally occurring situation

Researcher does not try to control Researcher does not try to control the situationthe situation

Case StudiesCase Studies

One person or subject is studied One person or subject is studied in depthin depth

Researcher hopes to reveal Researcher hopes to reveal universal principles based on one universal principles based on one subjectsubject

CorrelationsCorrelations

Positive CorrelationPositive Correlation– Shows a direct relationship between two Shows a direct relationship between two

variablesvariables– Both variables increase or decrease in the Both variables increase or decrease in the

same directionsame direction

Negative CorrelationNegative Correlation– One variable increases as the other One variable increases as the other

decreasesdecreases

SurveysSurveys

PopulationPopulation– All cases in a group from which samples All cases in a group from which samples

can be drawn for a studycan be drawn for a study

Random sampleRandom sample– A sample that fairly represents a A sample that fairly represents a

population because each member has population because each member has an equal chance of being includedan equal chance of being included

ExperimentsExperiments

HypothesisHypothesis–An investigator’s prediction An investigator’s prediction

about the outcome of the about the outcome of the researchresearch

Operational DefinitionOperational Definition

Specifies the exact procedures Specifies the exact procedures which will be usedwhich will be used

Defines the variable so it can Defines the variable so it can be measurable for research be measurable for research purposespurposes

Independent Variable (IV)Independent Variable (IV)

The research variable that is The research variable that is manipulatedmanipulated

Causes a change in the Causes a change in the dependent variable if the dependent variable if the hypothesis is correcthypothesis is correct

Dependent Variable (DV)Dependent Variable (DV)

The research variable influenced The research variable influenced by the independent variableby the independent variable

In psychology it is the behavior or In psychology it is the behavior or mental process that is impacted mental process that is impacted by the IVby the IV

Random AssignmentRandom Assignment

Assigning participants to Assigning participants to experimental and control groups experimental and control groups by chanceby chance

Allows for a more representative Allows for a more representative population samplepopulation sample

Confounding variablesConfounding variables

A variable other than the IV which A variable other than the IV which could influence the DVcould influence the DV

Researchers must control for Researchers must control for confounding variablesconfounding variables

Experiments Step by Experiments Step by StepStep

The Science of The Science of PsychologyPsychology

Step 1Step 1

Develop the Develop the hypothesishypothesis

Step 2Step 2Create Create operational operational definitionsdefinitions for the for the independentindependent and and dependent dependent variablesvariables

Step 3Step 3Randomly select a Randomly select a sample of sample of participantsparticipants from the populationfrom the population

Step 4Step 4Randomly assign the Randomly assign the participants to the participants to the experimentalexperimental and and controcontrol groupl group

Step 5Step 5 Expose the experimental Expose the experimental

group, but not the control group, but not the control group, to the IV. If group, to the IV. If necessary, use a necessary, use a placebo placebo with the control group to with the control group to balance expectationsbalance expectations

Step 6Step 6 Control for other Control for other

confoundingconfounding variables by variables by using a double-blind using a double-blind procedure and treating both procedure and treating both groups the same except for groups the same except for exposure to the IVexposure to the IV

Step 7Step 7 Learn the impact of the Learn the impact of the

independent variable by independent variable by measuring the measuring the dependent dependent variable variable for both groups for both groups

Step 8Step 8 Use Use statistical analysisstatistical analysis to to

discover whether the discover whether the difference in the DV is difference in the DV is likely to have been caused likely to have been caused by the manipulation of the by the manipulation of the IVIV

Selecting Appropriate Research Methods

#1 Jogging increases lung capacity experimentation #2 Individuals having one or more

hobbies report more job satisfaction than individuals having no hobbies

survey

Selecting Appropriate Research Methods

#3 Unmarried cab drivers talk more with their customers than do married cab drivers

Naturalistic observation #4 Work productivity increases when

workers are allowed flexible hours Experimentation

Selecting Appropriate Research Methods

#5 Intellectual ability increases when environments are more stimulating

Positive correlation #6 A child with an intellectual disability

will improve social skills through peer modeling

Case study

Selecting Appropriate Research Methods

#7 A child removed from an abusive environment and placed in an enriched environment

Case study #8 More men than women report

fantasies of making large sums of money than women

Survey

Selecting Appropriate Research Methods

#9 The purchase of tranquilizers increases during monetary crises

Naturalistic observation #10 Alcoholics show more signs of

brain damage than non-alcoholics. Is this Applied or Basic Research?

Applied Research

Selecting Appropriate Research Methods

#11 As time spent watching television increases, GPAs decrease

Negative correlation #12 Talking on a cell phone while

driving reduces reaction time in females

Experimentation