Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Research is a Process of Inquiry Graziano and Raulin Research Methods: Chapter 2 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: (1) Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; (2) Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; (3) Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Basic Assumptions of Science Assumptions are accepted without proof Assumptions are accepted without proof Assumptions of science Assumptions of science –True, physical universe exists –Universe is essentially orderly –The principles that define the functioning of the universe can be discovered –All ideas are tentative, potentially changed by new information Form the basis of all scientific thinking Form the basis of all scientific thinking

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Observation and Inference Facts: Events that can be observed Facts: Events that can be observed –Most “facts” of psychology are behaviors Constructs: Inferred from observations Constructs: Inferred from observations –Constructed to explain the observations –Examples: memory; emotion; personality –Used “as if” they really existed –Reification of a construct: incorrectly believing it is a fact

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Inductive & Deductive Thinking Inductive thinking: from the specific instance to the general theory Inductive thinking: from the specific instance to the general theory Deductive thinking: from the general theory to predict specific instances Deductive thinking: from the general theory to predict specific instances Science Science –Develops theories through inductive logic –Tests theories by generating predictions through deductive logic and empirically verifying those predictions

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Theories in Science Simplified framework for explaining complex phenomena Simplified framework for explaining complex phenomena A scientific theory must be both A scientific theory must be both –Testable –Falsifiable Theories organize data and help predict new data Theories organize data and help predict new data

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Evaluating Theories Validity: Accuracy of the theory in predicting outcomes Validity: Accuracy of the theory in predicting outcomes Parsimony: Simple theories are preferred Parsimony: Simple theories are preferred Usefulness: The value of the theory for practical problem solving Usefulness: The value of the theory for practical problem solving

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Types of Theories Inductive theories: built on strong data base and tend to stay close to the data Inductive theories: built on strong data base and tend to stay close to the data Deductive theories: logically derived rather than derived from the data Deductive theories: logically derived rather than derived from the data Functional theories: about equal emphasis on inductive and deductive processes Functional theories: about equal emphasis on inductive and deductive processes Models: an analogical representation of reality Models: an analogical representation of reality

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Models in Science Model: A simplified representation of the real thing Model: A simplified representation of the real thing Used to conceptualize phenomena that are too complex to understand in their entirety Used to conceptualize phenomena that are too complex to understand in their entirety The closer a model is to reality, the more likely that it will be useful The closer a model is to reality, the more likely that it will be useful

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Modeling Research Psychological research methods Psychological research methods –Complex set of approaches –Used to answer questions about behavior A two-dimensional model of research A two-dimensional model of research –Phases of research: the successive, overlapping steps of a research project –Levels of constraint: the degree of specificity, control, and precision

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Phases of Research Idea-generating phase Idea-generating phase Problem-definition phase Problem-definition phase Procedures-design phase Procedures-design phase Observation phase Observation phase Data-analysis phase Data-analysis phase Interpretation phase Interpretation phase Communication phase Communication phase

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Idea-Generating Phase Ideas come from many places Ideas come from many places –The researcher’s own interests –The research and theories of others Nurture and develop ideas Nurture and develop ideas –Be curious –Read what others think and what they have done

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Problem-Definition Phase Ideas are formalized into testable research questions Ideas are formalized into testable research questions Need to be more critical in this phase Need to be more critical in this phase –How does your idea compare to existing theory and research? –Is your idea logical? –What does your idea predict?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Procedures-Design Phase Translate your ideas into testable hypotheses Translate your ideas into testable hypotheses The variables must be defined and procedures selected The variables must be defined and procedures selected Each step should be planned Each step should be planned Ethical issues must be considered Ethical issues must be considered

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Observation Phase “Doing the research” “Doing the research” The central activity of research The central activity of research –Earlier phases were the planning –Later phases will evaluate and interpret the findings The data gathered here will answer the question(s) you raised earlier The data gathered here will answer the question(s) you raised earlier

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Data-Analysis Phase Evaluating the data, usually using statistical procedures Evaluating the data, usually using statistical procedures Statistical procedures are selected in the procedures-design phase Statistical procedures are selected in the procedures-design phase Many types of statistics are available Many types of statistics are available –Depends on the question asked –Depends on the nature of the data

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Interpretation Phase Making sense out of the results Making sense out of the results Involves several steps Involves several steps –Interpreting the statistical findings –How do the findings relate to the research question asked? –Are there alternative interpretations of the data?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Communication Phase Publication allows others to Publication allows others to –Judge your work –Build on your work –Challenge your work Many ways to make research public Many ways to make research public –Conference presentations –Publishing in journals or books

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Phases of Research

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Levels of Constraint Naturalistic observation Naturalistic observation Case-study method Case-study method Correlational research Correlational research Differential research Differential research Experimental research Experimental research

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Naturalistic Observation Involves observing the natural flow of behavior in a natural setting Involves observing the natural flow of behavior in a natural setting –No effort to control the behavior –Often no strong hypotheses going into the study A flexible strategy A flexible strategy –Allows the researcher to shift attention to behaviors that seem interesting

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Case-Study Research Slightly higher constraint Slightly higher constraint Some intervention by the researcher to structure the setting and observations Some intervention by the researcher to structure the setting and observations –Asking questions –Setting up situations or tasks Typically studying a single individual Typically studying a single individual

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Correlational Research Measuring the direction and strength of a relationship between variables Measuring the direction and strength of a relationship between variables –Must be at least two variables –Variables must be measured consistently (that is, measurement is constrained) Established relationships can be used to predict future events Established relationships can be used to predict future events

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Differential Research Concerned with evaluating differences between existing groups Concerned with evaluating differences between existing groups –Groups defined by preexisting variables –Group composition is outside of researcher’s control Interpreting group differences takes skill, knowledge, and caution Interpreting group differences takes skill, knowledge, and caution

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Experimental Research Comparing two or more conditions Comparing two or more conditions –Participants are assigned randomly to the conditions –Therefore, group differences are due to the impact of the conditions The highest level of constraint The highest level of constraint

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007) Summary Science rests on a few basic assumptions Science rests on a few basic assumptions Observations are the “facts” of science Observations are the “facts” of science Inference is designed to make sense of the observed facts Inference is designed to make sense of the observed facts Theory is critical to the scientific enterprise Theory is critical to the scientific enterprise We can model the domain of psychological research using two factors (phases of research and levels of constraint) We can model the domain of psychological research using two factors (phases of research and levels of constraint)