1. Research Methods
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? Albert Einstein

2. Descriptive Research Basic Purpose: To observe and record behavior.
Case Studies
Surveys
Correlational Studies
Naturalistic Observation

3. Case Study & in-depth Interview
Examines one individual in depth in hopes of revealing things true of all people
Advantages
Provides in-depth information on individuals, or a particular group.
Provides ideas for further research
Disadvantages
Cannot always generalize the results to other individuals (atypical sample)
Cannot draw cause & effect conclusions
Time, expense
Examines one individual in depth in hopes of revealing things true of all people
They often show us what can happen – gives ideas for more research
Individual may be atypical – false conclusions

4. Surveys Advantages Disadvantages
Can obtain descriptive information about large groups of people.
Disadvantages
May produce biased results because of atypical sample, overly positive answers, and/or inaccurate recall
Cannot draw cause & effect relationship
If we added a choice of "Football practice", we may find that football practice is someone's favorite "activity" at school, but it is not relevant to this particular question which asks "Which subject do you enjoy the most at school?"
Consistency is very important in writing the list of responses. All of the responses should be similar so that no single response stands out to the individual except the answer that is true for them. Consistency simply helps to ensure that you are not leading respondents to a particular answer by making that answer different from the others. It also makes it much easier for respondents to find the answer that is relevant to them.
In this example, the second choice is exactly the same as what we had before, but it is listed in minutes rather than hours making it inconsistent with the other answer choices. Listing answer choices in this way is very confusing for the respondent and makes it more likely that they will provide you with incorrect information.

5. Consistency is very important in writing the list of responses
Consistency is very important in writing the list of responses. All of the responses should be similar so that no single response stands out to the individual except the answer that is true for them. Consistency simply helps to ensure that you are not leading respondents to a particular answer by making that answer different from the others. It also makes it much easier for respondents to find the answer that is relevant to them.
In the previous example, the second choice is exactly the same as what we had before, but it is listed in minutes rather than hours making it inconsistent with the other answer choices. Listing answer choices in this way is very confusing for the respondent and makes it more likely that they will provide you with incorrect information

6. Stop!
Read “Random Sampling” and then discuss and fill out your guided reading for question 12, c and d.
Define Population
Define Random Sample
Population: All the cases in a group being studies from which samples may be drawn
Random Sample: Every person in the group has an equal chance of being drawn/participating. Randomly sample PART of the population to survey – don’t sample all.

7. Naturalistic Observation
observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation
Advantages
Provides information about people and animals in real-world settings.
Disadvantages
May be difficult to conduct research on infrequent behavior.
Cannot draw cause & effect relationship
Naturalistic observation: observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation

8. Correlation Advantages Disadvantages
Measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well one either factor predicts the other
Advantages
Can study behavior in real world settings.
Can determine whether two variables are related. (predictive)
Computing statistical association, sometimes among survey responses.
Disadvantages
Cannot draw cause & effect relationship
Measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well one either factor predicts the other
Correlation between smoking and lung cancer in US males, showing a 20-year time lag between increased smoking rates and increased incidence of lung cancer.

9. Correlation Negative Correlation Positive Correlation Perfect = -1
Two sets of scores relate inversely, one set going up as the other goes down
Positive Correlation
Perfect = +1
Two sets of scores rise or fall together
Measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well one either factor predicts the other

10. Correlations (Co-relation)
r = (strong negative correlation) ↑↓
r = +1.0 (strong positive correlation)
↑↑ or ↓↓
r = 0 (No Correlation)
Correlation coefficients help us determine the direction and strength of a relationship.
Correlation does NOT imply causation!!
Correlations help us to Predict.
They can not PROVE a cause/effect relationship

11. Illusionary Correlation
Perceived by nonexistent correlation
When we believe there is a relationship between two things, we recall instances that confirm our beliefs.
Measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well one either factor predicts the other

12. Experiment Advantages: Disadvantages:
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or ore factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable).
Advantages:
Can control potentially confounding variables
Can draw cause & effect relationship
Disadvantages:
May be difficult to generalize to real world settings.
Cannot manipulate many variables.
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or ore factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable).

13. Experimental Research
Basic Purpose: To explore cause & effect.
Manipulate 1 or more factors and use random assignment to eliminate preexisting differences among subjects.
Experiment

14. Experiment Independent Variable Confounding Variable
Experimental factor being manipulated; the variable being studied
Confounding Variable
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce and effect on a an experiment
Dependent Variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or ore factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable).

15. Which Research Method ?
A director of a child welfare agency wants to understand the current beliefs and feelings of her many clients who were abused when they were children so that she can provide them with the support they need to prevent them from abusing their own children.
survey

16. Which research Method?
A high school teacher wants to know if allowing his students to listen to their favorite music on their iPods during tests will cause their test scores to increase.
Experiment

17. Which research Method?
A life insurance executive wants to know the percentage of people who obey traffic laws (i.e. wearing their seat belts or coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.)
Naturalistic observation

18. Which research method ?
A political biographer wants to know the specific people and events that motivated Bill Clinton to enter politics and eventually run for president.
Correlation

19. Which research Method ?
Ms. Norman wants to explore the relationship between the number of hours spent sleeping and GPA.
survey

20. Operational Definitions Underlined Words
Sense of humor
More friendly toward the other children
Depressed
Study more efficiently
Tiredness
Affection
Dream
Smart
Prettier
Snobs
School spirit
Effeminate
Better athletes
Best rock group
Better school