6/8/2016Copyright Ed Lipinski and Mesa Community College, All rights reserved.1 Research Methods Summer 2008 Reviewing the Scientific Literature

2 Agenda General Housekeeping General Housekeeping Lesson Objective Lesson Objective Ed’s Overview / Discussion Ed’s Overview / Discussion Questions. Questions.

3Objective “... to discuss how to review the scientific literature in Psych” “... to discuss how to review the scientific literature in Psych”

4 Ed’s Overview I.Reviewing The Literature I.Reviewing The Literature II.Sources of Research Information II.Sources of Research Information III.Reading Research Reports III.Reading Research Reports IV.Quality of a Source IV.Quality of a Source V. Values and Ethics in Research V. Values and Ethics in Research VI.Developing Hypotheses. VI.Developing Hypotheses.

5 I. Reviewing The Literature A. Must Be Thorough A. Must Be Thorough But, how about us? But, how about us? B. Already Existing Research B. Already Existing Research C. Gives You Design Ideas C. Gives You Design Ideas D. Keeps You Up To Date. D. Keeps You Up To Date.

6 II. Sources A. Primary and Secondary Sources A. Primary and Secondary Sources Primary - Full Reports Primary - Full Reports Secondary - Summaries Secondary - Summaries Secondary Source Trap Secondary Source Trap Use Primary Sources When Available. Use Primary Sources When Available.

7 II. Sources B. Where To Find It: Books B. Where To Find It: Books Textbooks Textbooks Anthologies Anthologies Good For Secondary Sources Good For Secondary Sources No Measure of Quality. No Measure of Quality.

8 II. Sources C. Where To Find It: Scientific Journals C. Where To Find It: Scientific Journals Best Source of Materials Best Source of Materials APA Journals APA Journals Refereed Journal Refereed Journal Non-refereed Journal Non-refereed Journal Rating Journals. Rating Journals.

9 II. Sources D. Where To Find It: Professional Meetings D. Where To Find It: Professional Meetings Most Current Most Current Meet the Researcher Meet the Researcher Paper Sessions Paper Sessions May Be Too Brief May Be Too Brief Not Always Economical. Not Always Economical.

10 II. Sources E. Where To Find It: Peers E. Where To Find It: Peers Personal Communication Personal Communication One-on-one Mentorship One-on-one Mentorship Good Reviewers Good Reviewers Cheap ($$$) Cheap ($$$) Internet Correspondence. Internet Correspondence.

11 II. Sources F. The Library F. The Library Available Resources Available Resources Lab # 4. Lab # 4.

12 III. Reading Research Reports A. Getting Copies A. Getting Copies Call Number If Local Call Number If Local From Other Libraries From Other Libraries Interlibrary Loans Interlibrary Loans Online Sources Online Sources Photocopies Okay For Personal Use. Photocopies Okay For Personal Use.

13 III. Reading Research Reports B. Reading The Report B. Reading The Report Title Title Abstract Abstract Introduction Introduction Method Method Participants Participants Materials Materials Procedure Procedure Results / Discussion Results / Discussion References. References.

14 III. Reading Research Reports C. Reading Critically C. Reading Critically Do Not Assume Perfection Do Not Assume Perfection Consumer Approach Consumer Approach Avoid Being Overwhelmed Avoid Being Overwhelmed Determine Durability Determine Durability Assess Quality Assess Quality Use “Good” Journals Use “Good” Journals Learn The Buzz Words. Learn The Buzz Words.

15 III. Reading Research Reports D. Introduction D. Introduction Thorough Review of Prior Research Thorough Review of Prior Research Clearly Stated Purpose Clearly Stated Purpose Logical Flow of Hypothesis Logical Flow of Hypothesis Is The Hypothesis Clear and Testable?. Is The Hypothesis Clear and Testable?.

16 III. Reading Research Reports E. Method E. Method Who Who Adequate Test of Hypothesis Adequate Test of Hypothesis Any Flaws / Concerns. Any Flaws / Concerns.

17 III. Reading Research Reports F. Results F. Results Statistically Significant Effects Statistically Significant Effects Practical Significance Practical Significance Appropriate Statistics Appropriate Statistics Proper Tables Proper Tables Missing Statistics. Missing Statistics.

18 III. Reading Research Reports G. Discussion G. Discussion Follow From Results Follow From Results Author’s Speculation Author’s Speculation Mesh With Previous Research Mesh With Previous Research Future Research Suggestions. Future Research Suggestions.

19 IV. Quality of a Source A.Publication Practices A.Publication Practices Statistical Significance Statistical Significance Consistency Consistency Contribution to the Field Contribution to the Field Editorial Policy Editorial Policy B.Peer Review. B.Peer Review.

20 V. Values and Ethics A.Fraud in Research A.Fraud in Research Types of Fraud Types of Fraud Prevalence of Fraud Prevalence of Fraud Explanations of Fraud Explanations of Fraud B.Values B.Values C.Ethics C.Ethics Huge in Psych, New Codes (2003) Huge in Psych, New Codes (2003) See See

21 VI. Developing Hypothesis A. Statement of Study A. Statement of Study Often stated as an If… then… statement Often stated as an If… then… statement Ex. If boys view aggressive acts during cartoon shows, then they are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors right after the show. Ex. If boys view aggressive acts during cartoon shows, then they are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors right after the show. B. Research Driver B. Research Driver C. Must Be Testable C. Must Be Testable D. Must Be Specific. D. Must Be Specific.

22 VI. Developing Hypothesis Research Hypos Research Hypos Should Answer a Research Question Should Answer a Research Question Rules Out, Does Not Rule In Rules Out, Does Not Rule In Should Be Specific Should Be Specific Must Be Testable Must Be Testable Done as an If …. Then Statement Done as an If …. Then Statement Should Include the IV (the If) and the DV (the Then). Should Include the IV (the If) and the DV (the Then).

23 Recap Reviewing The Literature Reviewing The Literature Sources of Research Information Sources of Research Information Reading Research Reports Reading Research Reports Quality of a Source Quality of a Source Values and Ethics in Research Values and Ethics in Research Developing Hypotheses. Developing Hypotheses.

24 Reviewing the Lit Questions