Module 2: Psychology & Science

Research Method

• Tool for answering questions

• 3 Types– Survey– Case study– Experiment

#1:

Surveys• Way to obtain info by asking many individuals a

fixed set of particular questions– Phone, mail, person to person, online

Advantages-Obtain information from a large group quickly-Compare answers from different groups (age, culture)

Disadvantages-Responses may be influenced by

-phrasing of the question -who asks the question

-People may not answer truthfully

#2: CASE STUDIES• In depth analysis of a single individual

AdvantageProvides rich, descriptive detail

DisadvantageBias & error related to testimonials

• Personal Case Studies: Testimonials– Statement in support of a particular viewpoint

based on detailed observations of an individual’s personal experience

– Problems with Testimonials• Biased personal beliefs• Self-fulfilling prophecy• Placebos & placebo effects

“Total Gym helped make me into the toughest guy around; and it can do the same for you!”

• Placebo– Treatment that resembles medical therapy,

but has no medical effects – Example

• taking a sugar pill• Placebo Effect

– Change in the patient’s illness that is attributable to an imagined treatment

– Example• taking a sugar pill alleviates patients’

symptoms

Correlation Coefficient

• Numerical measure of the strength of the relationship

• 2 Areas to consider– Size

• ranges from 0 to +/- 1.00

– Sign (positive or negative)

• indicates the direction of association

#3:

Experiments

• Following rules and guidelines that minimize the possibility of error and bias in order to identify cause-and-effect relationships using the Scientific Method

• Advantages– Can identify cause-

and-effect relationships– Minimizes error and

bias

1. Rule #1: Ask2. Rule #2: Identify3. Rule #3: Choose4. Rule #4: Assign5. Rule #5:

Manipulate6. Rule #6: Measure7. Rule #7: Analyze

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error &

Bias• Rule 1: Ask a question in the form

of a hypothesis– Hypothesis = educated

•Rule 2: Identify the Independent Variable (IV) & Dependent Variable (DV)

IV = TreatmentDV = Outcome measure

•Rule 3: Choose subjects who are representative of the population by using random selection

Random selection =each subject has an equal chance of being selected to participate

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias (Cont.)

• Rule 4: Randomly assign subjects to experimental and control groups– Experimental group

• receives the treatment– Control group

• does not receive the treatment

•Rule 5: Manipulate the IV by administering the treatment to the experimental group

-Double blind procedure:neither the experimenter nor the subject knows which group is receiving the treatment

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias (Cont.)

• Rule 6: Measure effect of the IV on the DV

Rule 7: Analyze results using statistical procedures

Statistical procedures are used to determine whether observed differences in the DV are due to the IV or to chance

ADHD• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder• 3-7% of children are diagnosed with ADHD• More common in boys (3:1)• 2 major symptoms are hyperactivity/impulsivity & inattention

•Diagnosis•Based on behavioral symptoms rather than medical tests

Misdiagnosis may occur because severity of behavioral symptoms varies

•Treatment•Most common treatment is stimulant medication (e.g., Ritalin)

THAT’S IT

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