Research MethodsChapter 7

Pages 234-261

• Refer to table 7.1 page 236 of your text book.

• In psychology we use the scientific method to conduct research

1) Identify the research problem and formulate a question2) Construct a testable hypothesis3) Designing the study4) Gathering the data5) Processing the data, analysing and interpreting the results6) Writing a research report.

However there are a number of ways that we can collect our data (information). There are experimental and non experimental methods.

Non- experimental studies include case studies, surveys, observational and correlational studies.

This power point will go over ways of gathering data

Ways of gathering data

Case studies

Observational studies

Surveys

Longitudinal studies

Cross sectional studies

Case studies• An in depth investigation of a single individual, usually for

clinical purposes.• Can also be groups (homeless) organisations (schools) or

events (train crash)• Information can be gathered in a number of waysi. Interviews conducted by either psychologists, doctors or

researchers (person who designs or co ordinates the study)

ii. Tests , questionnaires or surveys (self report method)iii. Archival research (using written records to source data)

• Data gathered can be either qualitative or quantitative

CASE STUDYCopy this table into your books from page 237

Advantages Limitations

Provide detailed information Cannot be generalised

Information from once case can be used to explore others

Bias may occur due to researchers expectations, interpretations and /or prior knowledge

Information from a similar case can give rise to new hypotheses which can lead to new theories

Bias may occur due to how the individual presents oneself in a face-to-face situation (aka; demand characteristic)

Demand characteristics: situational circumstances that influence behaviour therefore they do not respond naturally. These includereactivity: reacting in a more negative way due to being nervous or anxious because you know your behaviour is being looked at carefully (scrutinised) Hawthorne effect: improving your performance because you know your being observed/ under investigation.Social desirability: acting or responding artificially (fake) in order to project a particular (usually favourable) impression of oneself. Trying to make yourself look better.

• Do activity 7.1 page 240

How can we reduce demand characteristics???

How to reduce demand characteristics in our

study?

Single-blind procedure

Double- blind procedure

deception

placebo

SINGLE-BLIND PROCEDURE• Minimising the amount of information given to

participants. • Participants are kept in the dark about the true

purpose of the study and their true role (they don’t know if they are in the controlled or experimental group)

• This is so they behave naturally and aren’t influenced by their expectations.

DOUBLE-BLIND PROCEDURE

• Both the participants and the experimenter are unaware of the purpose of the study. Both are blind to which group is which either controlled or experimental.

• This reduces experimenter effects which is bias due to experimenter expectations

DECEPTION• Deliberately withholding information or misinforming

participants about the true purpose of the study so that they behave naturally.

• If you use deception in your study then you MUST debrief all participants at the end which is when you inform them of the true nature of the study and make sure they are not experiencing any harm from their

participation.• Stanley Milgrim’s obedience shock experiment

PLACEBO

• An inactive substance/treatment given to participants that has an observable effect.

Can you think of any examples??

Ways of gathering data

Case studies

Observational studies

Surveys

Longitudinal studies

Cross sectional studies

SURVEY

• Are self report methods and include questionnaires, interviews or rating scales to gain information about a wide range of behaviours and mental processes.

• Depend on self report methods. Either oral or written.

Surveyscopy table in your book from

page 240-241Advantages Limitations

You can gather large amounts of information. Eg, The Australian census

Individuals may not tell the truth

Large sample can be surveyed at the same time

If survey is mailed out people may not respond

Surveys done by telephone can be done quickly and efficiently

If surveys are done by telephone it could be time consuming if the survey is lengthy and if people aren’t home.

Data can be collated quickly if in a quantitative form

If data is qualitative collating all the information will be difficult.

Ways of gathering data

Case studies

Observational studies

Surveys

Longitudinal studies

Cross sectional studies

Observational Studies• Involve observing the behaviour.• Can be done with animals, children in the playground,

spectators at a game.• Naturalistic observation: research design where you

observe participants behaviour in their natural surroundings/environment and record what you observe.

• Laboratory Studies: observing behaviour not in a natural setting but in a controlled environment where variables can be controlled.

• Eg: Bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Observational Studiescopy this in your books from page 242

Advantages Limitations

Participants behaviour is spontaneous and natural (if they are unaware they are being watched.

Participants may be affected by the demand characteristics (reactivity, hawthorn effect, social desirability)

Large amounts of data can be gathered Observer may be biased by expectations

If behaviour is videoed it can be assessed accurately.

Descriptive observations , i.e qualitative data may be difficult to collate.

For an observation study to provide true data the you must ask yourself these questions.....

1) Can the observer be seen?2) Is the observer completely objective 3) Can the findings be generalised.

Ways of gathering data

Case studies

Observational studies

Surveys

Longitudinal studies

Cross sectional studies

Investigating development across the lifespan

• There are 2 ways of gathering data over a lifespan

1) Longitudinal studies

2) Cross sectional studies

1) Longitudinal Studies

• A study where one group of participants is investigated over an extended period of time.

• Seven up series: monitors the progress of a cohort (group of people born around the same time) of 14yrs olds who were all 7yrs in 1964. They are all interviewed every 7 years.

7 uphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngSGIjwwc4U14uphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJUdR-xm5NY&feature=related

Longitudinal StudiesAdvantages Limitations

Variables such as genetic make up and cultural environment are kept constant

Same size can decrease if participants drop out or die.

Changes in individuals as well as age related group trends can be observed

Factors such as historical events, advances in technology make it difficult to generalise findings.Time consuming. You need to wait years/ decades before you can accumulate the data.

Ways of gathering data

Case studies

Observational studies

Surveys

Longitudinal studies

Cross sectional studies

Cross-Sectional Studies

• A study design where participants of particular age groups are studied at the same time.

• Large age gaps could compromise the results id the tests are susceptible to cohort effects.

• Cohort Effects: the impact of experience and circumstances on groups of people born at different times.

Cross-Sectional StudiesAdvantages Limitations

Can be conducted quickly Results may be affected by cohort effects due to generational differences.

Ways of gathering data

Case studies

Observational studies

Surveys

Longitudinal studies

Cross sectional studies

Homework• Read pages 245-254 and make your

own notes on how data is represented in psychology.