AgendaAgenda

Field and Laboratory Field and Laboratory ResearchResearch

Foundations of Empirical Foundations of Empirical InquiryInquiry

Survey WorkSurvey Work

Distinguishing Field and Distinguishing Field and Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research

Field studies occur in Field studies occur in the natural the natural environmentenvironment

Laboratory studies Laboratory studies control for many control for many interfering elements interfering elements in thein theenvironmentenvironment

Distinction is fluidDistinction is fluid

Advantages and Advantages and Limitations of Field and Limitations of Field and

Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research

Power of manipulationPower of manipulation ++ - -

Realism Realism + + - -

Control usually - Control usually -

++

Measurement maybe Measurement maybe

++

RandomizationRandomization -- ++

Observer Bias Observer Bias -- ++

Field Laboratory

AgendaAgenda

Field and Laboratory Field and Laboratory ResearchResearch

Foundations of Foundations of Empirical InquiryEmpirical Inquiry

Survey WorkSurvey Work

Foundation of Empirical Inquiry, Part 1: The Attitude

A Willingness to Be Guided by Data, Not Prejudice

Knowledge Based onEmpirical Facts

Empirical Research

Describes Reality

to Help Form

Accurate Pictures

Empirical Research is a

Tool to Discover Lawlike Behaviors

Foundation of Empirical Inquiry, Part 2: Purposes

AgendaAgenda

Field and Laboratory Field and Laboratory ResearchResearch

Foundations of Empirical Foundations of Empirical InquiryInquiry

Survey WorkSurvey Work

Survey Response Rates

Adequate Good Very Good

Interviews 70% 80% 90%

Mailed surveys 50% 60% 70%

Forms of Forms of QuestionsQuestions•When are questions When are questions preferred to statements?preferred to statements?

•Question typesQuestion types

•Forms not Forms not recommendedrecommended

Causes of Response Problems Among Respondents

Awareness of Subjects Ability to Recall

Information

Ways to Ensure Valid Ways to Ensure Valid AnswersAnswers

• Check questionsCheck questions

• Polarity rotationPolarity rotation

• Measures of test taking behaviorMeasures of test taking behavior

Social Desirability Scales Social Desirability Scales

MMPI Lie Scale MMPI Lie Scale

Jackson’s Infrequency IndexJackson’s Infrequency Index