Research Methods Purpose: Become familiar with the methods and importance of scientific research in psychology (and everyday life)

Guiding Principles Most of us will not be career researchers. The goal is research literacy. Most of us will not be career researchers. BUT….we are all consumers of research. How do you tell the good from the bad? No research is perfect. Everything is open to critique—a great platform for critical thinking.

How can you tell? Good research must testable and stand up to measures of both Reliability and Validity Scientific Method (testability): The systematic method of studying a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses. Reliability/Replication: a test should be able to produce the same results multiple times Validity: The degree to which a test is measuring what it is suppose to measure

Methods Is Like Whac-A-Mole… a fun game for which there is no perfect solution

Whac-A-Mole If I’m conducting my own research, the goal is to minimize the moles. If I’m considering the research of others, the goal is to identify as many moles as I can.

So what are the Moles? (problems/challenges) Observation Confirmation bias Participant bias Overconfidence

Observation Gathering of information by simply watching subjects Can lead to bias So what’s the problem with this? Someone walks in and says, ok act normally I’m just going to be watching you…

Participant Bias A tendency of research participants to behave in a certain way because they know they are being observed or they believe they know what the researcher wants. Can be reduced by naturalistic observation

Naturalistic Observation Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating or controlling the situation. Subjects are not aware they are being watched Method of observation where subjects are observed in their “natural” environment Could use hidden cameras or two way mirrors

Confirmation Bias A tendency to search for information that confirms our own preconceptions. Ways to lower confirmation bias Objective observation Critical thinking

Overconfidence We Humans tend to think we know more than we actually do. We tend to be more confident than correct.

More Research Methods: Surveys and Case Studies Purpose: Become familiar with the methods and importance of scientific research methods in psychology

Survey Method A research technique that questions a sample of people to collect information about their attitudes or behaviors. Research method that relies on self-reports; uses surveys, questionnaires, interviews. Usually a very efficient and inexpensive method However it is very difficult to develop a reliable and valid survey (as we will see tomorrow)

Case Study A research technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles. This technique is very open to bias Difficulty of applying data from one person to everyone But why do we have to rely on it? Can we abuse a child to see what the effects are…. ? So why do we use these methods that have very obvious flaws and issues. Ask students….

Genie the wild child: A case study in focus What are some flaws of case studies (list at least 3)? Why do we still rely on this method? Which side of the nature vs nurture debate do you think this case supports why? Refer to Nature/Nurture debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZolHCrC8E

Psychologies biggest historical Debate: Nature vs Nurture Are our human traits present at birth (nature or biological)? OR Do we develop our traits through experience (Nurture or learning) Helping example

Surveys, random assignment, and correlation Purpose: Become familiar with the methods and importance of scientific research methods in psychology

Survey Method A research technique that questions a sample of people to collect information about their attitudes or behaviors. Research method that relies on self-reports; uses surveys, questionnaires, interviews. Usually a very efficient and inexpensive method However it is very difficult to develop a reliable and valid survey (as we will see tomorrow)

Surveys cont.… One benefit of surveys is that it can test a large random sample of the population

Population The entire group of people about whom you would like to know something. Total large group being studied from which a sample is drawn for a study

Random Sample A sample that fairly represents a population because each member of the population has an equal chance of being included. If a sample is not random it is said to be biased. Discussion questions… Read more about randomness

Correlational Study A research project strategy that investigates the degree to which two variables are related to each other. Correlations can be positive or negative

Positive Correlation Negative Correlation As the value of one variable increases (or decreases) so does the value of the other variable. (they go the same way) Negative Correlation As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable decreases. (they go a different way)

Correlation A strong correlation is not enough to establish a cause and effect relationship. Example: There is a correlation between TV watching and grades. Do you think it’s positive, or negative? From this, what do we know about cause-and-effect. Socrates “How many things there are that I do not want!” Socrates & Plato Mind and body separate (mind continues after death) Knowledge built in. (nature) Aristotle driven by data & observation over logic Knowledge comes from experience (nurture)

Experimentation Experiments are the only research method that can establish cause-and-effect. The purpose of an experiment is to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. A research method in which the researcher manipulates and controls certain variables to observe the effects on other variables.

Operational Definitions Hypothesis A testable prediction of the outcome of the experiment or research. A general expectation Operational Definitions An explanation of the exact procedures used to make a variable specific and measurable for research purposes.

Scientific Method

Replication To repeat the essence of a research study to see whether the results can be reliably reproduced. Repeating the experiment to determine if similar results are found If so, the research is considered reliable.

Ethics

Why do we do it: Research Ethics Ethics in human research: All human research (now) must follow four basic principles Informed consent Right to be protected from harm and discomfort Right of confidentiality Right to Debriefing

Informed Consent Participants must be informed, in advance, about: the general nature of the research, and any potential risk. Participants must be able to give consent: Minors and mentally ill cannot give consent on their own Participants must have the right to refuse participation or withdraw at any time.

Right to be Protected from Harm and Discomfort Studies involving harm or discomfort may be conducted only under certain circumstances, and only with the informed consent of the participants.

Right of Confidentiality Individual data about research participants should never be discussed or released. Right to Debriefing Participants have a right to receive a complete explanation of the research at the end of the study. This is extremely important if the research involves deception.

Ethics: Animal Research Reasons for Animal Research Interest in animal behavior as a topic of study Data from animal studies may apply to humans. Easier to do some type of studies (genetics) due to the shorter life span of animals

Reasons for Animal Research Easier to exercise more control over experiments with animals as compared to humans Procedures that are not ethical to perform on humans may be considered acceptable when performed on animals

Care of Animals used in Research Animals used in research must: Have clean housing with adequate ventilation Have appropriate food Be well cared for