Research Methods An introduction

Gathering Data In research methods we look at two things: How will we run the study? (Method) How will we gather the data? (Techniques)

Research Methods How will we run the study depends on what we are trying to achieve: If we are looking to simply describe something then we use the descriptive method If we are looking for relationships between variables then we use the correlational method If we are looking to establish cause and effect then we use the experimental method

Research Methods Descriptive Method No manipulation of variables Record and describe DEMO: Transport survey

Research Methods Correlational Method No manipulation Measure two or more variables Describe the relationship between the variables DEMO: Shoe size and distance living from college

Research Methods Experimental Method Manipulation of one or more variables (IVs) Measure the effect of the manipulation on other variables (DVs) Establish cause and effect DEMO: Wordsearch concentration

Research Methods NB (Special case) – If any of these methods are used on a single person or group then we call it a case study It could be a descriptive case study It could be a correlation case study It could be an experimental case study

Data Gathering Techniques There are many, many different ways of gathering data. These are the more common ones used in psychology: Observation Self-report questionnaire Self-report interview Archive research Psychological testing Physiological testing

Data Gathering Techniques Observations Involves observing behavior as it unfolds in a natural or lab setting Advantages behaviors are spontaneous don’t rely on self-reports Disadvantages researcher interference rarity of some behaviors observer bias & selective attention time-consuming

Data Gathering Techniques Archives Involve gathering public records of social behaviors Advantages easy access to large amounts of pre-recorded data little worry as to ethical issues Disadvantages many interesting social behaviors are never recorded time-consuming

Data Gathering Techniques Self-Reports Involve asking people questions about their beliefs and behaviors (surveys or interviews) Advantages allows study of difficult-to-observe behaviors, thoughts and feelings easy to distribute to large groups provides large amounts of data Disadvantages people who respond may not be representative responses may be biased or untruthful open qu’s difficult to score/analyse closed qu’s may force people to choose an answer which doesn’t reflect their true choice/opinion.

Data Gathering Techniques Psychological Tests Involve attempts to assess an individual’s abilities, cognitions, motivations, or behaviors Advantages allows measurement of characteristics not easily observeable Disadvantages tests may be unreliable tests may be reliable but not valid

Research Methods Any method can generally use any technique. (Can you think of some unlikely combinations?) Method Technique Descriptive Observation Correlation Archival research Experiment (lab) Psychological tests Experiment (field) Physiological tests Experiment (quasi) Self-report (interview) Case Study Self-report (survey)

Putting it together We may therefore say that the research method used in a study is... A case study using observation and interviews A field experiment using observation A correlation study using archival research A lab experiment using physiological tests and self-report questionnaires ...or any other combination you can think of

TASK 1: What methods could you use to investigate the following? The effects of drugs on behaviour Animal Behaviours Aggression Child development/behaviours Smoking Competitiveness

FURTHER TASKS Which methods (and techniques) have been used in the Piliavin, Bandura, Thigpen & Cleckley, and Maguire studies? Try out some other techniques: Physiological: take your own or someone else’s pulse Psychometric: try out some IQ questions Projective: try the Rorschach test or TAT Read up on observations in preparation for next lesson – what are the various types of observation and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

Study ideas – Descriptive (Observation) Do people pay attention to their own reflection when walking past a shop window and if so, what do they do? Do shoppers abide by the sign in the local supermarket suggesting ‘ten items or less only’? What types of behaviour do people display when having to wait in a waiting room? Study ideas – Correlation Is there a correlation between hours of revision and exam results? Is there a correlation between number of friends on facebook and hours socialising each month? Is there a correlation between hours worked per week and consumption of drinks containing caffeine? Is there a correlation between a person’s self rated level of attractiveness and age? Study ideas – Experiment Do males have a better short term memory than females? Does coloured paper improve learning or performance? Does the gender of someone in need of help affect the speed that help is received in? How does age affect our ability to complete the Stroop test? Does skipping breakfast decrease concentration levels?  

Top 5 Studies Not To Do You need to realistically be able to do these studies over the next couple of weeks and they need to all be ethically sound What studies should we NOT do? Descriptive… Correlation… Experiment…