Unit 1 Chapter 2.1 What is Research? Psychology 1 st and 6 th Mr. Young

Essential Questions  How do Psychologists choose from one of the many different methods of research?

I CAN: 1. Describe the process of psychological research and the scientific method 2. Name the different types of psychological research.

Pre-Research Decisions  Must first ask specific questions about a limited topic or hypothesis  Then need to look for evidence

Samples  The small group of people out of total number of population

Types of Samples  Representative Sample- sample of population must be fair

Representative Samples  T1RaETs T1RaETs  2 min.

Nonrepresentative Sample  Not on target with sample

Samples Cont. Two ways to avoid: 1. Random sample so each person has equal chance of being picked 2. Can also deliberately pick individual

Stratified Sample  subgroups in the population are represented proportionately in the sample

Methods of Research  Goals of Research: 1. Describe Behavior 2. Explain its Causes 3. Predict circumstances 4. Control the behaviors

Describe Behavior

Explain its Causes

Predict the Circumstances

Control/Influence the Behavior

Methods of Research Cont 1. Naturalistic Observation 2. Case Studies 3. Surveys 4. Longitudinal Studies 5. Cross-Sectional Studies 6. Correlations and Explanations 7. Experiments

Naturalistic Observations  Psychologists observe the subject in a natural setting without interfering  Most basic of Research  Do not disturb the animal or person you are observing

Case Studies  An intensive study of a group or person  Can be powerful research tool  Cannot prove or disprove anything by itself

Surveys  One of most practical ways to find some basic beliefs of people  Method of asking many individuals a fixed set of questions  Examples: Interviews, questionnaries

Longitudinal Studies  Psychologist studies the same group of people at regular intervals over a period of years to determine their behavior and/or feelings have changed and how  Very expensive and time-consuming

Cross-Sectional Studies  Data is collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn  Less expensive and time- consuming than longitudinal studies

Correlations and Explanations  Measures relationship between two variables and how they relate to each other

Positive Correlation  one variable increases the chances of another

Negative Correlation  one variable decreases the chances of another  Correlations do not identify what causes what

Experiments  Experiments allow people to control the situation and environment  Experiments have hypothesis- or educated guess, to what the outcome is

Variables in Experiments  Variable- conditions and behaviors that are subject to change

Independent Variable  Independent- is the one experimenters change or alter so as to observe effects

Dependent Variable  changes in relation to the independent variable

Experimental Group  Experimental group- group exposed to independent variable

Control Group  Control group- treated same as experimental group except not exposed to the independent variable  Results of an experiment must be replicated before it can be considered legit

Ethical Issues  Methods of conduct, or standards, for proper and responsible behavior.  In 2002, The APA revised the ethics of psychology

Essential Questions  How do Psychologists choose from one of the many different methods of research?