1. Chapter 2: Where to Start

2. Hypotheses and Predictions
Most research studies are attempts to test a hypothesis formulated by the researcher.
Informal hypotheses
- Simply questions about behavior
Formal hypotheses
- Formulated on the basis of past research findings and theoretical considerations
- Stated in very specific and formal terms

3. Hypotheses and Predictions (con’t)
Prediction about the outcome of a study
Prediction confirmed by the results = hypothesis supported
Prediction not confirmed by the results = reject the hypothesis

4. Who We Study: A Note on Terminology
Participants
Subjects
Respondents
Informants

5. Sources of Ideas Common sense Observation of the world around us
Theories
Past research

6. Library Research The nature of journals
Researcher sends written report to a professional journal
Editor solicits reviews from other peer scientists
Each journal has limited space

7. Library Research (con’t)
The Nature of Journals (con’t)
Editor decides whether to accept the research
report for publication
Accepted research reports are published about
one year later

8. Library Research (con’t)
Search strategies
Psychological Abstracts (Psych Abstracts)
PsycINFO, PsycFIRST, PsycLIT
Science Citation Index
Social Sciences Citation Index

9. Library Research (con’t)
Literature reviews
Psychological Bulletin
Annual Review of Psychology

10. Library Research (con’t)
Other electronic search resources
Medline
ERIC
APA’s PsycARTICLES

11. Library Research (con’t)
Internet searches
Yahoo, Google, About, Northern Light, and Alta Vista
Critically evaluate the quality of the information you
find
Record the exact location of any Websites you will be
using in your research

12. Anatomy of a Research Article
Research articles have five sections:
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion

13. Anatomy of a Research Article (con’t)
Abstract
A summary of the research report
150 words or less
Includes the hypothesis, procedure, broad pattern of
results

14. Anatomy of a Research Article (con’t)
Introduction
Outlines the problem investigated
Past research and theories relevant to the problem are described in detail
Formal hypotheses or specific expectations

15. Anatomy of a Research Article (con’t)
Method Section
Subsections depend on the complexity of the design
- Participants
- Design
- Equipment
- Materials
- Procedure

16. Anatomy of a Research Article (con’t)
Results Section
Findings are presented in three ways
Narrative form
Statistical language
Tables or graphs (figures)

17. Anatomy of a Journal Articles (con’t)
Discussion Section
Researcher reviews the research from various perspectives
Do the results support the hypothesis?
If yes, provide all possible explanations
If no, suggest potential reasons for this

18. Discussion (con’t) Present methodological weaknesses and/or strengths
Explain how the results compare with past results
Include suggestions for possible practical applications
Include suggestions for future research on the topic

19. The End