1. Research Methods in Psychology

2. 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

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

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

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

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

7. 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

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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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