Research Methods

Why do we have to learn this stuff?

Psychology is first and foremost a science.

Thus it is based in research.

Inquiry Model

• Psychologists use the scientific method to conduct studies and research in psychology. The Inquiry Model is as follows:

1. Identify a problem or question2. Develop a hypothesis- A tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. 3. Gather data (i.e. observations, surveys, case studies, experiments) 4. Analyze data5. Draw conclusions

Observations • There are two main categories

A) Naturalistic observation -researchers view participants in their natural environment Advantages of Naturalistic:• Researchers view participants in their natural environments • May be the only way to collect data about certain issue Disadvantages of Naturalistic:• Researchers cannot manipulate, control or even fully understand variable. This

makes it difficult to test and prove a hypothesis. • Conducting research can take a lengthy period of time

B) Laboratory observation - Observations done in a controlled setting

Advantages of Laboratory Observations: • More control in the laboratory setting • Useful in gathering large amount of data and information • Less time-consuming and cheaper than naturalistic observations.

Disadvantage of Laboratory Observations:• Participants may act differently because they know they are being

watched• May behave in a way they think the researcher wants them to act

Naturalistic or Laboratory Observations?• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxMHqBCB8eM(Faking pregnancy test)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo4WF3cSd9Q (Marshmallow and Kids)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BAaSnMS_fE(child left in store clip)

Surveys

Participants answer questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. Surveys can contain open-ended (multiple correct answers), closed-ended (one correct answer), or rating-scale type questions.

It allows the researcher to gain a representative overview of the attitudes and characteristics of a large group of people.

• Advantages of Surveys:• Allows lots of data to be collected from many people• Cost effective• Quick

Surveys

• Disadvantages of Surveys:• Questions must be constructed properly (should be clear and easy to

comprehend)• When subjects fill out surveys about themselves, the data is called

self-report data. Self-report data can be misleading because subjects may do any of the following:• Lie intentionally • Give answers based on wishful thinking rather than the truth • Fail to understand the questions the survey asks • Forget parts of the experience they need to describe

Surveys

Can men and Women just be Friends?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_lh5fR4DMA

Case Studies A researcher studies a subject in depth. The researcher collects data about the subject through interviews, direct observation, psychological testing, or examination of documents and records about the subject. Advantages of Case Studies:• Provides rich descriptive information • Often suggests hypothesis for further studies• Can study rare phenomena in depth Disadvantages of Case Studies:• Poor method for establishing cause and effect relations• Often relies heavily on researchers subjective interpretations

Case Study

• Phineus Gage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvpIRN9D4D4

Experiments

A set up situation in a controlled environment. The researcher looks at the effects of one factor on another. These factors are called variables. An independent variable is manipulated to measure the effects of the dependant variable. This allows the observation of the cause and effect relationship between both variables. The experiment is repeated several times with different participants and is considered reliable as long as the results are similar. Experiments usually have a control group, participants, and confederates.

Experiments – Terminology

• Participant- Someone who takes part in an experiment. The experimenter is observing the participants actions and reactions

• Confederate – An assistant to the researcher who is given instructions about the experiment and told how to act during the experiment. The other participants are not aware that the confederate knows what the experiment is about and is acting.

• Control Groups: To accurately measure the results of an experiment, researchers establish a control group. The control group serves as a comparison to the group under study. Control groups can be made up of individuals who are not exposed to the independent variable in the same way or individuals who are fundamentally different in nature.

Experiments Terminology

• Independent Variable: The variable controlled and manipulated by the researcher to test the effects on the dependent variable.

• Dependent Variable: The variable being measured by the researcher and it may change in response to manipulation of the independent variable (i.e. in the sleep deprivation experiment – the resulting test performance skills would be the dependent variable)

Asch’s Experiment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA

Beware ofConfounding Variables

If I wanted to prove that smoking causes heart issues, what are some confounding variables?

• The object of an experiment is to prove that A causes B.

• A confounding variable is anything that could cause change in B, that is not A.

Lifestyle and family history may also effect the heart.

Random Assignment• Once you have a

random sample, randomly assigning them into two groups helps control for confounding variables.• Experimental Group

v. Control Group.• Group Matching

Experimenter Bias

• Another confounding variable.• Not a conscious act.• Double-Blind Procedure.

(neither the participants or the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment) and prevents bias in research results.

Experiments

Advantages of Experiments:• Optimal method to examine cause and effect relations• Ability to control extraneous factors to help rule out alternative

explanations Disadvantages of Experiments:• Participants may alter their behaviours or respond in ways that the

researcher may want them to act

Experiment Example 1

• Question: Does using a cell phone at school affect students' grades?

• Think about what the following are:• Dependent Variable• Independent Variable• Control

Experiment Example 1

Question: Does using a cell phone at school affect students' grades?

Independent Variable: Cell phone use (The experimenter can manipulate who uses their cell phones)

Dependent Variable: Student’s Grades (Are students grade related to the amount of cell phone use?)

Control: Students who do not use cell phones in school

Experiment Example 2

• Question: Does sleep deprivation impact student’s test performance?

• Think about what the following are:• Dependent Variable• Independent Variable• Control

Experiment Example 2

• Question: Does sleep deprivation impact student’s test performance? • Independent Variable: Amount of sleep (The experimenter can manipulate this by

giving the participant more or less sleep)

• Dependent Variable: Test Grade (Do test grade depends on the amount of sleep that the participant got)

• Control Group: Well rested participants

•Research Methods Assignment