Scientific Method Basic procedures Hypothesis: a statement of the results that the experiment expects Subjects: people or animals on whom a study is conducted Variables: factors that change an experiment Independent variable: the factor that the experimenter manipulates or changes in a study Dependent variable: the factor in the study that changes or varies as a result of the changes in the independent variable
Example study of relief from Pain Killers Placebo: a “medicine” that has no active ingredients and works by the power of suggestion Double-blind study: a study during which neither participants nor researchers know to which group any subjects belong Stereotypes: a set of fixed, generalized beliefs we hold about a given group, we tend to assume that everyone from that group share the same characteristics
Pause for Thought Why is it important to use placebos and a double-blind approach in some studies? Assume that researchers believe that people’s memories are sharpest right after they’ve eaten lunch. What hidden variables may have affected these results?
Why could placebo and double-blind study be a good idea? Experimenter might inadvertently act differently towards group which is receiving the placebo Which can result in patients’ response being interpreted differently
Field Studies Field study: research that takes place outside of the laboratory (“in the field”) Experimental group: group on which the critical part of the experiment is performed Control group: group that does not participate in the critical part of the experiment
Survey Method Survey is a method of research that involves asking subjects questions about their feelings, opinions or behavior patterns First we must get a sample, which is a group that will represent a larger group However, the sample has to be representative of the larger population Representative sample: group that truly reflects a selected characteristic of a larger population
Naturalistic Observation Research method that involves studying subjects without their being aware that they’re being watched Researcher gets realistic and accurate information about a subject’s behavior because people and animals behave differently in the presence of an outsider HOWEVER, there is a flaw in this method = observer cannot talk with or interact with the human subject Might make incorrect interpretation of the behavior
How could his/her behavior be different if they knew they were being watched?
Interview Research method that involves studying people face to face and asking questions Problem: person being interviewed is only going to show best behavior and present information in the most favorable light or will try to give the interviewer the information that they think the person wants
Case Study Research that collects lengthy, detailed information about a person’s background, usually for psychological treatment Problem: you cannot generalize from these findings, detailed information about one person but it is not true for everyone
Psychological tests Objective methods for observation and measurement of subjects in various areas, such as intelligence Examples: IQ test Personality test Aptitude test
Cross-sectional method: method of research Cross-sectional method: method of research that looks at different age groups at the same time in order to understand the changes that occur during the lifespan Longitudinal method: a method of research that studies the same group of people over an extended period of time Example: studying the same children at age 5, then 10, then 15
Written Questions: Which method of research would you probably use to study the effects of mild stress on job performance? Explain. Briefly describe how you might conduct this research?