1. Research is a Process of Inquiry
Fall 2013
Lecture 2 – Chapter 2
Research is a Process of Inquiry

2. Chemist
Astrophysicist
Neuroscientist
Sociologist
Physician
Social Psychologist
Mathematician
Biologist
Criminologist
Molecular Biologist
Whose research is more scientific?

3. ? Scientific Method 1. Idea Question Observations
That place they call
the “Library”
Observations
Basic vs Applied
Deductive/Inductive
2. Develop idea into hypothesis
Theories & Models
“If” “Then”
3. Design: procedures, stats, subjects etc
FUN PART
FUN PART
4. Experiment – collection of data
Fun but HARD
Fun but HARD
5. Data Analysis - Statistics
Fun and not HARD
6. Interpretation: Develop new theory or support old
Parsimony
7. Reporting Results: Class, scientific meeting, publication
Scientific Method

4. Research Question Do “lit” search (300B!!!!)
3. Has your question already been asked?
4. What methods have already been used?
1. Idea
Question?
Use EBSCO HOST - Psych Info
USE PUB MED - Medical Sciences
Refine your research
question..
Ramon Y Cajal

5. 2. Develop idea into hypothesis
Scientific Method
Deductive/Inductive
2. Develop idea into hypothesis
Basic vs Applied
“If” “Then”
Theories & Models

6. Applied Research vs
Basic Research

7. research on creating change interventions, treatments
Applied Research
Generate info that can be applied directly to the solution to a “real world” problem
research on creating change
interventions, treatments
usually done outside the lab
EX: CATCH Program: Behavioral Intervention Program

8. CATCH was created as a research project late (1980’s - early 1990’s)
LARGEST School-Based Health Study Conducted
CATCH was created as a research project late
(1980’s - early 1990’s)
UCSD, Univ of Minnesota, Tulane Univ and
UTHSC at Houston
Purpose of the research: develop an elementary
school-based program to reduce the risk factors
related to cardiovascular disease

9. Gather general info (general laws) Seek knowledge for its own sake
Basic Research
Gather general info (general laws)
Seek knowledge for its own sake
Not concerned with application
Usually carried out in a lab
“Confirmation” or “disconfirmation” of a theory
Basic: What physiological mechanisms underlie the detection of lights of different wavelengths? What cells are most affected by a visual disease?
Applied: How can I use different wavelengths to diagnose disease?

10. Basic Research (Can it happen???)vs
Applied Research
(Will it happen??)
Which is more important???
External vs internal validity….will discuss in detail
in later chapter

11. A set of assumptions (empirical data) that attempts
Theory:
A set of assumptions (empirical data) that attempts
to explain a phenomena
Support
Reject
Modify
NEVER PROVE!!!!!
Testable
Good Theory: Testable, predictions must be testable, falsification
(Sir Karl Popper)

12. To explain & predict behavior
Empirical Observations = collecting data
Facts of the Research
Basis for Theories
set of assumptions
ideas and facts
formalized set of concepts
summarized/organized observations & inferences
To explain & predict behavior

13. Empirical Observations = collecting data
Is it All Observable Behavior???
Facts
Children Playing
Adults Interaction
Physiological responses (HR, GSR)
Rats eating
Amounts of neurotransmitters
vs Constructs
Memory
Intelligence
Love
Attitudes
Emotions
Inferences: CONSTRUCTS
non observable
defined by us

14. CONSTRUCTS: Inferences we make
memory
Super ego
ego id
personality
Reification of a construct: logical error
when we confuse a fact with a construct

15. Deductive vs Inductive
Top Down
Bottom Up
General
Specific
Specific
General
Based on facts make predictions
about future observations
Based on observations you make
predictions

16. Top Down – Deductive
Theory
deductive theories
Hypothesis
observations
confirm
theory
hypothesis
Look for patterns
observation
Inductive theories
Bottom Up - Inductive

17. ? Scientific Method Idea Question Develop idea into hypothesis
Design: procedures, stats
Subjects etc..
FUN PART
FUN PART
Experiment – collection of data
Fun but HARD
Fun but HARD
Data Analysis - Statistics
Fun and not HARD
Interpretation: Develop new theory or support old
Parsimony
Reporting Results: Class, scientific meeting, publication
Scientific Method

18. Design of your experiment
Levels of constraint…
Design of your experiment

19. Naturalistic Observation Case Study Correlational Research
Types of Research (approach to gathering data)
LOW
Nonscientific
Naturalistic Observation
Case Study
Correlational Research
Quasi-experimental Research
Experimental Research
Level of Constraint HI
Level of Constraint: control = more precision

20. Non Scientific: ex: Historians
Doris Kerns Goodwin

21. Naturalistic Observation – Low constraint
The observation of subjects in their natural environment
The researcher imposes no limits or changes in the environment or behavior of the subjects
1960: First recorded instance of tool making by nonhumans
1964: Capable of planning (kidnapped baby in order to get
mother and the rest of the group to follow)
1966: Polio and AIDS
1974: Warfare: first record of violence of this type-rival group
was eradicated.
1975: Cannibalism
1987: Adoption
1994: short-term monogamous relationships; Technology
transfer-Chimps from one community "modeled" the
tool making behavior of chimps in another community
1995: medicate-eat plants-a medicinal plant believed to relieve
stomach pains or reduce internal parasites.

22. Case Study – Low constraint
The subject is in a moderately limiting environment
The researcher intervenes only slightly
Observe the participant’s response
An in-depth description of one subject, organization or
event
ex: medical field: Case of H.M.
- H.M.: Epileptic Seizures
- 1953, age 27 years
- Bilateral medial temporal lobectomy
-Oops..anterograde amnesia
- Studied for 40 years

23. Low Constraint…
H. M. can be considered the single patient that has provided the largest collection of data to the students of memory [Corkin,1984] [Milner,1968].

24. Correlational research – Constraint
Quantify the degree of relationship between two variable
Measurement procedure must be carefully defined and
precisely followed
No manipulation of variables – two sets of measurements in
the same subject then correlate
ex. Is there a relationship between
class attendance and grades?
Dr. Sumaya’s hypothesis:
the greater the attendance
the higher the grade…
CANNOT INFER CAUSATION!

25. Quasi–Experimental Research (Differential) – high constraint
Two or more preexisiting groups of subjects (variables) a
are compared
Setting is highly constrained (controlled)
Measurement procedures carefully designed and precisely
followed
ex: survey data – attitude towards banning smoking
ex: investigating the differences between 18 and 50 yr olds on sexual activity

26. ex: want to investigate the effects of a drug on depression
Experimental Research – highest constraint
“True Experiment”
Subjects are assigned without bias to the various groups
or conditions in the study (random assignment!)
The setting is ALL about control
Measurement procedures carefully designed and precisely
followed
ex: want to investigate the effects of a drug on depression
Can infer causation!

27. Naturalistic Observation Case Study Correlational Research
Types of Research (approach to gathering data)
LOW
Nonscientific
Naturalistic Observation
Case Study
Correlational Research
Quasi-experimental Research
Experimental Research
Level of Constraint HI
Level of Constraint: control = more precision

28. Whose research is more scientific?
Idea
Question
Whose research is more scientific?
What level of constraint?
Develop idea into
hypothesis
Depends on the method
Level of Constraint
Depends on your research
question
Design: procedures, stats
Subjects etc..
Experiment – collection of data
Data Analysis - Statistics
Interpretation: Develop new theory or support old
Parsimony
Reporting Results: Class, scientific meeting, publication
Scientific Method