Chapter 1 (con’t) Psychology & Science

Research Method Tool for answering questions 3 Types Survey Case study Experiment

Research Method #1 - Surveys Asking many individuals to answer a fixed set of questions Advantages Obtain information from a large group quickly Compare answers from different groups (age, SES, culture) Disadvantages Responses may be influenced by phrasing of the question who asks the question People may not answer truthfully

Research Method #2 - Case Study In-depth analysis of a person’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or behaviors Advantage Provides rich, descriptive detail Disadvantage Bias & error related to testimonials

Testimonial Statement in support of a particular viewpoint based on detailed observations of an individual’s personal experience Problems with Testimonials Biased personal beliefs Self-fulfilling prophecy Placebos & placebo effects

Statistical Procedure - Correlation A relationship/association between 2 or more events Advantage Study variables as they are Disadvantage Can’t determine cause-and-effect relationships

Correlation Coefficient Numerical measure of the strength of the relationship 2 Areas to consider Size ranges from 0 to +/- 1.00 Sign (positive or negative) indicates the direction of association

5 Types of Correlation Coefficients Perfect Positive Correlation (+1.00) Increase in 1 event is matched by an equal increase in a 2nd event Positive Correlation As one event tends to increase, the 2nd event tends to increase Zero Correlation No relationship between the occurrence of one event and the occurrence of a 2nd event Perfect Negative Correlation (-1.00) Increase in 1 event is matched by an equal decrease in a 2nd event Negative Correlation As one event tends to increase, the 2nd event tends to decrease

Research Method #3 - Experiment Following rules and guidelines that minimize the possibility of error and bias in order to identify cause-and-effect relationships Advantages Can identify cause-and-effect relationships Minimizes error and bias

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias Rule 1: Ask a question in the form of a hypothesis Hypothesis = educated guess Rule 2: Identify the Independent Variable (IV) & Dependent Variable (DV) IV = Treatment DV = Outcome measure Source: Long Beach, CA. United School District, 1993-1994 versus 1994-1995.

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias Rule 3: Choose subjects who are representative of the population by using random selection Random selection each subject has an equal chance of being selected to participate

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias Rule 4: Randomly assign subjects to experimental and control groups Experimental group receives the treatment Control group does not receive the treatment

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias Rule 5: Manipulate the IV by administering the treatment to the experimental group Double blind procedure neither the experimenter nor the subject knows which group is receiving the treatment

Conducting Experiments - 7 Rules to Reduce Error & Bias Rule 6: Measure effect of the IV on the DV Rule 7: Analyze results using statistical procedures Statistical procedures are used to determine whether observed differences in the DV are due to the IV or to chance

Placebos & Placebo Effects Treatment that resembles medical therapy, but has no medical effects Example taking a sugar pill Placebo Effect Change in the patient’s illness that is attributable to an imagined treatment taking a sugar pill alleviates patients’ symptoms

Research Method #4: Naturalistic Observation Allows you to view psychological phenomenon in its naturally occurring environment Researcher does not have to attempt to control or change the situation Problem: Own biases may influence what is seen!

Research Concerns Code of Ethics Developed by APA Specifies the researchers’ responsibilities & participants’ rights Deception Must satisfy the APA’s code of ethics Sometimes used to control for subjects’ expectations Debriefing Explaining the purpose & method of the experiment Answering any questions or discussing problems subjects may have with the study