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
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