1. Research Methods

2. Natural Observation
Cardinal Rule: Do not disturb people or animals you are studying! Conceal yourself and be unobtrusive
Studies organisms in natural environment
Does not employ controls

3. Natural Observation Cont.
Psychologists avoid using this method b/c it doesn’t provide the how's and whys of behavior. You only know what you can see.
Ex. Jane Goodall’s research with Chimps

4. Case Studies Used by psychologists and psychiatrists
Tries to get at background causes of behavior
Includes info about family relationships, school, performance and occupational adjustment

5. Case Studies Continued…
Based on philosophy that the more we know about a person the better equipped the therapists is to understand and help them.

6. Interview Method
Value of data (info) depends on interviewer (must be skilled in not presenting biased information
Must observe body language as well as verbal responses

7. Questionnaires (surveys)
Involves sending selected questions to a group of people called “sample”

8. Questionnaires Continued…
A sample is a small group of people out of the total population which the researcher hopes represents society
“random sample” is picked arbitrarily

9. Psychological Testing
Standardized and intended for specific purpose
Results help establish norms in behavior
They are not absolutes for predicting future success
They are a means to an end; not an end in themselves

10. examples I.Q. Test WAIS – Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale
Key Math Achievement Test
Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests

11. Types of Studies
Longitudinal Study
Cross-sectional Study

12. Directed Observation
A refinement of natural observation but is more specific
Looks at only one specific behavior – may have to use controls occasionally
Ex. Certain medical research such as electrode implantation in the brain

13. Experimental Method
Most specific/sophisticated of all research methods

14. Types of Experiments
Natural Experiment: studies something that is occurring naturally in the environment… manipulation occurs w/o human intervention. Example: natural disasters

15. Field Experiments
Field Experiments: the experiment manipulates/ changes conditions in a real life setting.

16. Types of experiments cont…
Laboratory experiments: (most sophisticated) essential…highest degree of control/precision. Environment is completely controlled by researcher.

17. Problems? Avoidance?
Self-fulfilling prophecy: The scientist or researcher finds what he/she wished to find and overlooks the evidence. It’s human nature to find only the evidence which supports your hypothesis.

18. Double Blind procedure
Double-Blind Procedure: The researcher and the subjects are blind to the experiment. Neither knows who is actually involved until research is completed
Example: Test brand name cola vs. off brand

19. Experiment Method Explanation
In order to qualify as an experiment it must have these components –

20. Hypothesis: Educated guess
Example: How much sleep effects a test performance?

21. Variables
Independent Variable: produces the effect. It is something which is manipulated or controlled in a predetermined way…example: amount of sleep
Dependent Variable: The change that occurs as a result of the independent variable. It is usually the subjects response to the changed condition. Example: Performance on test

22. Groups
Control group: everything remains the same/measures normal response. (all subjects go normal amount of sleep)
Experimental group: a variable/condition is changed and the response is measured (were not allowed to sleep