ResearchMethods

Key Points

• What is empirical research?

• What is the scientific method?

• How do psychologists conduct research?

• What are some important ethical considerations in conducting psychological research?

The Scientific Method

• Step by step process for guiding research

• Provides an objective, systematic framework for research

• Cyclical

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Review the literature2. Formulate a testable hypothesis3. Design the study and collect the data4. Analyze the data and accept or reject the

hypothesis5. Publish, replicate and seek scientific

review6. Theory building

Step 1:Reviewing the literature

• What research has been done in this area?

• What are the current theories?

• Consult scientific journals only.

• What can my research add to the current knowledge?

Step 2: Formulate a testable hypothesis

• Develop a specific prediction related to the area of interest

• Must be “testable”

Step 3: Design the study and collect the data

• How can you test your hypothesis?

• What type of study can be done?

• Collect data

Step 4: Analyze the data and accept or reject hypothesis

• Depending on the type of study conducted, you may use statistics to analyze the data

• Does data support or negate the hypothesis?

• Proving the hypothesis incorrect is not a failure

Step 5: Publish, replicate and seek scientific review

• Share data to expand current knowledge

• Conduct the experiment again to see if results are consistent

• Seek critical evaluation from professional peers

Step 6: Theory BuildingThe Cycle continues

• Good research stimulates additional research

• Encourages growth in our knowledge

Scientific Method vs. research design

• The scientific method outlines the steps used in any type of study

• The research design describes the type of study conducted

Research Designs

• The range of research questions in psychology requires a range of options for conducting research

• You are not always in a position to control the variables of interest

• Every design has advantages and disadvantages

Who will be in the study?

• Population - the entire group of people of interest to the researcher (who should the results apply to?)

• Sample - the actual participants in the study, representative of the population

Types of Research Designs

• Experimental research

• Correlational research

• Surveys, questionnaires

• Observations

• Case Studies

The Experiment

• Only type of study that allows for statement of cause and effect

• Experimenter has degree of control over key variables not possible in other research designs

Characteristics of experimental research

• Independent and dependent variables

• Experimental and control groups

• Random assignment to groups

Independent and dependent variables

• Dependent Variable - what is being measured in the experiment to determine the effect of the independent variable?

• Independent variable - what is the experimenter manipulating in the experiment?

Experimental and control groups

• Experimental group - participants in the study who are exposed to the independent variable

• Control group - “comparison group”, participants in the study who do not experience the independent variable

• NOTE: participants are randomly assigned to these groups

Experimental Research Cautions

• Experimenter Bias - occurs when the experimenter’s own expectations influence the outcome of the research

• Research Participant Bias - reflects research participants’ beliefs about how they are expected to behave

Correlational Research

• Examines the relationship between two variables

• Cannot establish that one variable causes the other, just that they are related

• Relies on statistical analysis• Strength of relationship measured from -1.0

to +1.0• Positive, negative or zero?

Case studies

• Descriptive data about an individual

• Helpful in obtaining data about rare cases

• Generalization is limited

Observations

• Naturalistic - occurs in the natural setting

• Laboratory - occurs in a controlled setting

Surveys/questionnaires

• Very common form of research

• Capable of collecting large amounts of data

• Measures people’s behaviors or attitudes

Ethical Considerations

• APA guidelines for ethical research

• Informed consent( can be withdrawn)

• Confidentiality

• Debriefing/use of deception