The Scientific Method Do you remember this from science class? Do you remember this from science class? portal.com/academy/lesson/psychology-is- a-science.html portal.com/academy/lesson/psychology-is- a-science.html portal.com/academy/lesson/psychology-is- a-science.html portal.com/academy/lesson/psychology-is- a-science.html

Types of Research SIX types of Research

Naturalistic Observation = observing behavior in the natural environment w/o manipulation = observing behavior in the natural environment w/o manipulation POSITIVES: POSITIVES: NEGATIVES: NEGATIVES:

Case Study = a thorough study of an individual = a thorough study of an individual CHRIS SIZEMORE - DID CHRIS SIZEMORE - DID Positives: Positives: Negatives: Negatives:

Surveys = Collecting data about the beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors of people by asking them = Collecting data about the beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors of people by asking them Positives: Positives: Negatives: Negatives:

Controlled Experiments = scientists compare 2 things or groups that are the same except for one variable = scientists compare 2 things or groups that are the same except for one variable Example: Drug testing Example: Drug testing Independent variable= Independent variable= Dependent variable= Dependent variable= Experimental group= Experimental group= Control group= Control group=

Hypothesis Swimming regularly will lead to weight loss in obese subjects. Swimming regularly will lead to weight loss in obese subjects. Independent variable= Independent variable= Dependent variable= Dependent variable= Operational definition= Operational definition= Experimental group= Experimental group= Control group= Control group=

One big design problem to notice Are there any confounding variables we have not controlled for?

Confounding Variables Example: Testing 2 groups of teens > one group is tested at 8am and the other at 1pm Example: Testing 2 groups of teens > one group is tested at 8am and the other at 1pm Why might this be a problem? Why might this be a problem? Example: Testing a new method and an old > Group one gets the stodgy monotone teacher and Group two gets the attractive, young enthusiastic teacher Example: Testing a new method and an old > Group one gets the stodgy monotone teacher and Group two gets the attractive, young enthusiastic teacher

Correlational Research (speculation that may indicate a relationship exists) Correlations: positive, negative or zero? Correlations: positive, negative or zero? Typing practice and typing errors Typing practice and typing errors Weight in pounds and hours of TV viewing Weight in pounds and hours of TV viewing Educational level and income Educational level and income IQ and levels of prejudice IQ and levels of prejudice # of peaches imported into the U.S. and divorce rates # of peaches imported into the U.S. and divorce rates

Correlations (continued) SAT scores and college GPA SAT scores and college GPA SAT scores and teacher salaries SAT scores and teacher salaries Number of plants in your home and number of times you brush your teeth daily Number of plants in your home and number of times you brush your teeth daily Educational level and levels of obedience to authority Educational level and levels of obedience to authority Test anxiety and test performance Test anxiety and test performance

Correlational Research How do we measure the strength of a correlation? How do we measure the strength of a correlation?

Correlational Research Positive, negative or zero Positive, negative or zero Graphed on scatter plots Graphed on scatter plots Expressed as an “r” coefficient Expressed as an “r” coefficient “r” coeffcients: “r” coeffcients: ranges from to ranges from to Absolute value of corr. coeff. indicates strength of relationship ex. r=-80 or r=+80 Absolute value of corr. coeff. indicates strength of relationship ex. r=-80 or r=+80

Correlational Research What is the most important phrase to remember in correlational research? What is the most important phrase to remember in correlational research? Dr. Goldberger and the Pellegra epidemic Dr. Goldberger and the Pellegra epidemic

Experimental Method Placebos Placebos Blind Blind Double-blind study Double-blind study

Experimental Conditions in the Lang Study

Another factor to consider when conducting research

Ethics of Research with Humans Ethical review committee and ethical standards Ethical review committee and ethical standards Promote individual dignity, human welfare and scientific integrity Promote individual dignity, human welfare and scientific integrity Ensure no harm will come to subjects Ensure no harm will come to subjects Informed consent Informed consent Confidentiality Confidentiality Deception Deception Debriefing Debriefing

Ethics of Research with Animals Animals are used when research cannot be carried out with humans Animals are used when research cannot be carried out with humans Animals may be harmed, only when: Animals may be harmed, only when: there is no alternative, and there is no alternative, and benefits of the research justify the harm benefits of the research justify the harm