It is actually way more exciting than it sounds!!!! Research Strategies It is actually way more exciting than it sounds!!!!

Why do we have to learn this stuff? Psychology is first and foremost a science. Psychology is based on research and critical thinking (not blindly accepting arguments and conclusions).

Psychology and the Scientific Method LO 2.1 What is the scientific method? Scientific method System of gathering data so that bias and error in measurement are reduced.

Psychology and the Scientific Method Steps in the Scientific Method: Formulate the question. Develop a hypothesis – tentative explanation of a phenomenon based on observations. Test the hypothesis.

Psychology and the Scientific Method LO 2.1 What is the scientific method? Steps in the Scientific Method (continued): Analyze the results Draw conclusions. Report your results so that others can try to replicate - repeat the study or experiment to see if the same results will be obtained in an effort to demonstrate reliability of results, propose theories

Observation and Bias The simplest scientific technique is observation. But sometimes we look for evidence to confirm our beliefs and ignore evidence that contradicts them (confirmation bias). For example, if one believes that all Italians are in shape and go tanning, then they turn on MTV to prove our point. Look…I knew it was true!!! But is it really?

Participant Bias Just the fact that you know you are in an experiment can cause you to act and behave differently. Whether the lights were brighter or dimmer, production went up in the Hawthorne electric plant because they knew they were being studied (thus the Hawthorne Effect).

Methods of Research Naturalistic Observation The Case Study Correlational Study The Survey Longitudinal Studies Cross-Sectional Studies

Naturalistic Observation Watch subjects in their natural environment (Jane Goodall’s study of great apes in Africa). Adv. = the witnessed behavior is not artificial & eliminates participant bias. Disadv. = subjects responses may be misinterpreted. (& what about ethical issues… watching people without them knowing).

Case Studies A detailed picture of one or a few subjects. The hope is to reveal universal principles. Adv. = can suggest hypothesis for further study. Disadv. = subjects may be atypical. The ideal case study is John and Kate. Really interesting, but what does it tell us about families in general?

Correlational Study Correlation studies investigates the degree to which two variables are related. DOES NOT show cause and effect! As more ice cream is eaten, more people are murdered. Does ice cream cause murder, or murder cause people to eat ice cream?

Types of Correlation Positive Correlation The variables go in the SAME direction. Negative Correlation The variables go in OPPOSITE directions. Studying and grades hopefully has a positive correlation. Heroin use and grades probably has a negative correlation.

Longitudinal Study Studying the same group of people over the years and noting changes. Adv. = see how people change over time. Disadv. = expensive, time consuming, and participants may not be available for the whole study. Qualitative methods focus on a limited number of participants but are more in depth. Longitudinal and case studies are more expensive and may not be generalized.

Cross Sectional Study Various age groups studied at the same time. Adv. = less time consuming than a longitudinal study. Disadv. = differences between the members of the sample cannot necessarily be attributed to age or development.

Survey Method Technique used to collect info about peoples attitudes and behaviors. Most common type of study in Psychology. Cheap and fast. The survey results must be relevant to the population and you must have a good sized random sample. Adv. = can tell you a lot about the population you’re targeting. Disadv. = People may not respond truthfully and samples may not be representative. This an example of quantitative research means a large number of participants are used therefore you can make generalizations about a specific population. Surveys (questionnaires and interviews) tend to be superficial. Systematic methods are necessary for results to have external validity. External validity means that results can be generalized to entire population; random sample or stratified sample.

The Problematic Survey Wording Effect Wording can change the results of a survey Ex1: Q: Should cigarette ads and pornography be allowed on television? Ex2: Q: How often do you smoke crack? (Choose one response). Everyday Sometimes

Agree or Disagree? The government should force you to pay higher taxes.

On a scale of 1 to 10… How would you rate the career of legendary outfielder Joe Dimaggio?

What is your opinion of the new In-n-Out Burger? a. Pretty good b. Great c. Fantastic d. Incredible e. The Best Ever

Correlational Research Find a partner and develop a list of two numeric variables that you think would be associated (i.e., amount of sleep and GPA) and survey/observe at least 10 people in class. Graph your findings in a scatterplot. Discuss the findings with your partner and write your conclusions. This is a grade. Mastering1.51