CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH Asks what several events have in common Asks whether knowing one event can allow prediction of another event Does not imply causation

Module 4: Research Strategies -When research shows that two traits are connected together -If one trait is there, the other is too

* When one trait is strong, the other is too

* If one trait is strong, the other is weak

* There is no relationship at all between the two traits.

* However, correlation is NOT causation * One trait does not cause the other Blue Green Brown Red Blonde Hair Color Eye Color Hair color does not CAUSE eye color

EXPERIMENT  A research method in which the researcher manipulates and controls certain variables to observe the effect on other variables.  Hypothesis- a testable prediction about the outcome of research

ACTIVITY:  Design an experiment for each of these ideas.  Playing sports makes a person more/less aggressive  Women are more/less friendly than men  Teenagers have more/less emotional problems than adults  People become friends with others who are similar/different from themselves.

Experimental Research – highest constraint “True Experiment” Control: Systematic methods Reduce threats to validity Limit Extraneous variables (confounds)  RANDOM ASSIGNMENT  Measurement procedures carefully designed and precisely followed

Variables

Variable - A behavior or cause of behavior that is studied through experiments

Independent Variable (IV) : The variable that a researcher changes Each group is given a different variable …”I” do the research…it’s what “I” control

Example 1: Group 1 gets 100mg of a drug Group 2 gets 25mg Group 3 gets a fake pill Here the IV is DRUG (different amounts) 100 mg 25 mg Sugar pill IV Independent Variable

Example 2: Either give some subjects 20, 60 or 40 watts and test their performance on a math test 60 watts 20 watts 100 watts The IV = the amount of light

Dependent Variable: -The variable that changes because the researcher changed the IV -The variable that you measure

Example 1: Group 1 gets 100mg of a drug --- Sleeps for 9 hours Group 2 gets 25mg – Sleeps for 4.5 hours Group 3 gets a fake pill – Sleeps for 1 hour Here the DV is sleep (different amounts) 100 mg 25 mg Sugar pill IV Dependent Variable

Example 2: Either give some subjects 20, 60 or 40 watts and test their performance on a math test 60 watts 20 watts 100 watts The DV = the different test scores

Dependent Variable: Reaction time cancer cells errors on memory test

1.Nonscientific 2.Naturalistic Observation 3.Case Study 4.Correlational Research 5.Quasi-experimental Research 6.Experimental Research Types of Research = (approach to gathering data) Level of Constraint HI LOW HI Level of Constraint: More control = more precision

Non Scientific: ex: Historians

CONSTRUCTS: Inferences we make ego id Super ego Reification of a construct: logical error when we confuse a fact with a construct personality memory

An unexpected (confounding) variable??

Confounding Variables

The only thing that should change in an experiment is the independent variable. If something else changes during the experiment, it is a confounding variable

Confounding = confusing; causing problems Confounding Variables -Any variable that is different for the two groups of subject -It might change the results of the study

Examples of Confounding Variables: Different environments –Room color –Temperature, seat comfort –Loudness Sample is not random Researcher treats the groups differently –Helps one group more –Is nicer to one group Subjects know the experiment and hypothesis

testing subjects on a memory test …temperature in the room is HOT …impact on the tests results Examining the effects of alcohol on driving and obeying posted signs…but you don’t test their eyesight examples of confounding variables

Life Expectancy

Figure 5-1. (p. 106) Graphical representation of the data in Table 5-3 showing the characteristic pattern of (a) high positive correlation, (b) essentially zero correlation, (c) strong negative correlation.

TRUE EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH Sample is assigned to groups The surrounding is controlled by researcher

Experimental Design

Schizophrenia and semantics

* In an experiment, a variable other than the independent variable that could produce a change in the dependent variable * The variable “confounds” the results

Module 4: Research Strategies

* Any differences in the experiment’s conditions--between the experimental and control groups * Differences include temperature, lighting, noise levels, distractions, etc. * Ideally, there should be a minimum of environmental differences between the two groups.

* Any changes in an experiment’s results due to the subject anticipating certain outcomes to the experiment

* An experimental procedure where the research participants are ignorant (blind) to the expected outcome of the experiment * Sometimes called single blind procedure

* A research procedure in which both the data collectors and the research participants do not know the expected outcome of the experiment. * Both groups are ignorant (blind) to the experiment’s purpose or expected results

* A non-active substance or condition administered instead of a drug or active agent * Many times an inactive pill that has no known effect * Given to the control group

POPULATION  The entire group of people about whom you would like to know something.  Random Sample- fairly represents a population because each member of the population has an equal chance of being included.

Data and the Nature of Measurement

Research Ethics Module 4: Research Strategies

Ethics: Human Research (Four Basic Principles) Module 4: Research Strategies

1. Informed Consent Participants must be informed, in advance, about: – the general nature of the research, and – any potential risk. – Participants must have the right to refuse participation or withdraw at any time.

2. 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.

3. Right of Confidentiality Individual data about research participants should never be discussed or released.

4. 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.

Module 4: Research Strategies

* 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

* 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

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