Research Methods in Psychology

THE Descriptive Research Methods Used to observe and describe behavior Help to answer questions such when do certain behaviors occur How often does the behavior occur Is the behavior related to other factors such as age, ethnic group or educational level

Naturalistic Observation The systematic observation and recording of behaviors as they occur in their natural setting Non-intrusive Realistic settings

Naturalistic Observation Advantages: Study behaviors that can not be ethically manipulated Ex: School children being bullied on the playground

Naturalistic Observation Disadvantages: Can not control variables Data collection may be inefficient Investigator bias may exist Does not show cause and effect Sigmund Freud

Case Studies An intensive study of a single individual or small group of similar individuals resulting in a detailed picture of the individual

Case Studies Advantages: Complex behavior can be intensively studied and used to provide insights into the psyche of the individual/group or used to improve treatment strategies

Case Studies Disadvantages: Data collected may be based on false memories Does not show cause and effect Individual may be lying

Surveys A questionnaire or interview designed to investigate the opinions, behaviors, or characteristics or a particular group.

Surveys Advantages: Efficient collection of data from a large group Can be used to measure attitudes or opinions

Surveys Disadvantages: Subjects may lie or be dishonest Does not show cause and effect Responses may be altered by collection method Ex: Motivated subjects may be more likely to submit

Correlation Studies A research strategy that allows the precise calculation of how strongly related, or associated, two factors are to each other Correlation coefficient: A numerical indication of the magnitude and directions of the relationship between two variables

Correlation Studies Correlation Coefficient: The closer a correlation coefficient is to 1.00, whether it is positive or negative, the stronger the correlation between the two factors Positive correlation: When the two factors vary in the same direction., i.e. the factors both increase or decrease Negative correlation: When the two factors vary in opposite directions., i.e. one factor increase and the other decreases

Correlation Studies Advantages: Relationships between two un-like/dis-similar variables can be established: The strength of the relationship between the two variables can be tested and evaluated, thus weak relationships can be ruled out for further study Strong relationships can be used to make meaningful predications

Correlation Studies Disadvantages: Can not control the variables Does not show cause and effect

THE Experimental Method Is a research method used in Psychology to demonstrate a cause and effect relationship between changes in one variable and the effect that is produced on another variable. Conducting an experiment involves deliberately varying one factor and observing the effect on the subject

Experimental Method Advantages: Produces empirical evidence that does show cause and effect

Experimental Method Disadvantages: Philip Zimbardo Results may be misinterpreted Results may be tainted if the experiment is not set up correctly or the researchers have bias If experiments are conducted in the laboratory the behavior may have little to do with actual behavior Some research may not be able to reflect actual behavior, ex. How living together before marriage effects divorce rates later in life

Experimental Method Independent Variable: The purposely manipulated factor thought to produce change in an experiment: The factor or variable that is manipulated by the scientist in order to change the behavior of the subject

Experimental Method Dependent Variable: The factor that is observed and measured for change in an experiment Is always the subject behavior Is “dependent” on the changes in the independent variable or what the scientist has manipulated

Experimental Method Experimental Group: The group of subjects who are exposed to all conditions of the experiment, including the independent variables

Experimental Method Control Group (Placebo Control Group): The group of subjects who are exposed to all conditions of the experiment, EXCEPT the independent variables

Experimental Method Random Assignment: the process of assigning participants to either the experiment group or the control group so that all have an equal chance of being in either grouping Helps to ensure that any potential differences among the participants are spread out evenly across all experimental conditions Minimizes the possibility of bias by the researchers

Experimental Method Single-blind Study: Type of experiment where the researchers are aware of all of the critical information, but the subjects do not know about this information.

Experimental Method Double-blind Study: Neither the subjects or the researchers are aware of which group has been assigned to the experimental group or the control group Used to guard against the possibility that the researcher inadvertently becomes a confounding part of the experiment by displaying subtle cues that may bias the results

Experimental Method Placebo: A fake substance, treatment or procedure that has no known direct effect. It looks like the real independent variable, but despite its convincing appearance, it is a sham Place Effect: any change attributed to a person's beliefs and expectations rather than an actual drug or treatment