Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) The Starting Point: Asking Questions Graziano and Raulin Research Methods: Chapter 3 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: (1) Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; (2) Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; (3) Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Asking Questions Research always starts with questions (Fueled by the curiosity of the scientist) Research always starts with questions (Fueled by the curiosity of the scientist) Sources of questions Sources of questions –Personal interests and observations –Theories and research of others Most research is stimulated by other research Most research is stimulated by other research Theories and past research stimulate new research Theories and past research stimulate new research –Seeking solutions to practical problems (applied research)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Refining Questions Initial questions may be vague Initial questions may be vague Vague questions can never be answered Vague questions can never be answered Need to refine questions Need to refine questions –Defining the variables –Specifying their expected relationship Further refined into a “statement of the problem” and then one or more “research hypotheses” (covered in detail in Chapter 8) Further refined into a “statement of the problem” and then one or more “research hypotheses” (covered in detail in Chapter 8)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Types of Variables in Research Variables defined by their nature Variables defined by their nature –Behavioral variables –Stimulus variables –Organismic variables Variables defined by their use in Research Variables defined by their use in Research –Independent variable –Dependent variable –Extraneous variable(s) –A constant

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Defined by their Nature Behavioral variables Behavioral variables –Any behavioral response of the organism Stimulus variables Stimulus variables –Any factor that affects, or could affect, behavior Organismic variables Organismic variables –Any characteristic of a participant

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Defined by their Use in Research Independent variable Independent variable –Variable that is manipulated by the researcher Dependent variable Dependent variable –Variable that is expected to change as a result of the independent variable manipulation Extraneous variable Extraneous variable –Unplanned and uncontrolled factors Constants Constants –Variables that are prevented from varying

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Validity and Control Validity: How well a study, procedure, or measure does what it is supposed to do Validity: How well a study, procedure, or measure does what it is supposed to do Enhance validity by controlling extraneous variables Enhance validity by controlling extraneous variables –They could affect the dependent measure if not controlled –This course is devoted to the procedures required to control extraneous variables

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Research Ethics Ethical guidelines for human research Ethical guidelines for human research –Focus on protecting the rights of participants –Stimulated by the atrocities committed by Nazi scientists Ethical guidelines for animal research Ethical guidelines for animal research –Focus on proper care and minimizing pain Ethical committees are entrusted with evaluating proposed projects Ethical committees are entrusted with evaluating proposed projects

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Human Research Ethics Formal Ethical Codes Formal Ethical Codes All research proposals must be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) All research proposals must be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) First safeguard is “informed consent” First safeguard is “informed consent” The greater the potential risk to participants, the greater the responsibility of the researcher to protect participants The greater the potential risk to participants, the greater the responsibility of the researcher to protect participants

Ethical Issues Deception Deception –Should use only if non-deceptive methods would not work –Debriefing is required when deception is used Invasion of Privacy Invasion of Privacy –Sensitive information must be protected Informed Consent Informed Consent –The participant elects to be in the study after he or she is informed about the nature of the study Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010)

Ethical Checks 1. Will the study have informational value? 2. Does the study pose risks to participants? 3. If so, are there sufficient controls for those risks? 4. Is there a provision for informed consent? 5. Is there a provision for adequate feedback? 6. Do I accept full responsibility for the ethical conduct of the study? 7. Has the proposal been approved by an IRB?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Diversity Issues Age, sex, and ethnic status are likely to affect behavior Age, sex, and ethnic status are likely to affect behavior Early research often failed to represent the entire population Early research often failed to represent the entire population The federal government insists that funded research represent The federal government insists that funded research represent –Minority members –Women –Children

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Animal Research Ethics Animals have rights, too Animals have rights, too –Animals cannot give informed consent –Animal research is often more invasive than human research Laboratory Animal Care committees review animal research for ethical issues Laboratory Animal Care committees review animal research for ethical issues Animal researchers must provide ethical and humane care for their animals Animal researchers must provide ethical and humane care for their animals

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Summary Research starts with questions Research starts with questions –Questions come from many sources –Questions need to be refined Questions involve the presumed relationship between variables Questions involve the presumed relationship between variables Research ethics must be considered in any research project Research ethics must be considered in any research project