Chapter 13 Data Collection ♣ ♣ Introduction   Research Participants   Sample Size   Apparatus and/or Instruments   Instructions   Scheduling of Research Participants   Procedure   Institutional Approval   Data Collection   Consent to Participate   Debriefing, or Post- experimental Interview    Back to Brief Contents

13.0 Introduction Prior to actually collecting data there are many decisions that must be made, from identifying research participants to writing instructions and getting approval from the IRB This chapter will review many of these issues  Back to Chapter Contents

13.1 Research Participants 1/3  Factor that should determine the organism used: research question  Factor often used: Precedent (previous studies)  Typical research organisms: rats and college students Obtaining Animals (Rats) Obtaining Human Participants Gender Bias  Back to Chapter Contents

13.1 Research Participants 2/3 Obtaining Animals (Rats)  Purchase from commercial source Obtaining Human Participants  College students: participant pool Alternative to other requirement (e.g. term paper)  Internet—can give access to participants with special characteristics  Other human participants—have to identify available sources and get volunteers from these sources  Back to Chapter Contents

13.1 Research Participants 3/3 Gender Bias  Most studies: make use of male participants  Male rats vs. female rats: 4-day estrus cycle  Male only: (e.g.) achievement motivation  Internal validity: OK  External validity: Psychology of predominately male behavior  Back to Chapter Contents

13.2 Sample Size  Is an issue in multi-participant research  Need enough to detect an effect if one exists; as number increases, ability to detect an effect increases Power  Ability to reject a false null hypothesis  Power is a function of three things: Probability level (α), Sample size, Effect size  If power is known, probability level and effect size can calculate sample size Tab 13.1 Tab 13.1  Back to Chapter Contents

13.3 Apparatus and/or Instruments Involves selecting the right equipment or instruments to present the IV and to measure the DV  Microcomputer  (e.g.) EEG, ERP Fig 13.1 Fig 13.1  fMRI, PET Journal devoted to Apparatus and Instruments: Behavioral Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers  Back to Chapter Contents

13.4 Instructions Purpose —  Define the task  Direct attention  Develop a set  Motivate the participant Ineffective instructions — relax or pay attention (e.g.) Do not request several incompatible operations at the same time (e.g. quickly & accurately) Should be clear, unambiguous and specific; not be too complex, even redundant  Back to Chapter Contents

13.5 Scheduling of Research Participants Rats — lighting cycle  Dark phase: eating, drinking, etc.  Light phase: sleeping, inactivity  leave the light on 24-hr so they will not form a schedule based on the light/dark phase of the lighting schedule Humans — must schedule when they are available and you can conduct the study  Fail to show up Allow for limited rescheduling Some P not want to rescheduling: replacement P (More P must be selected)  Back to Chapter Contents

13.6 Procedure 1/3 Involves specification of the sequence of events.  Animals—specifying everything from care in the laboratory to performance in the study  Humans—specifying everything from scheduling of participants to debriefing  Internet study—have series of “warm-up” trials  Back to Chapter Contents

13.6 Procedure 2/3 Pilot study— is typically a must to insure that  All scheduled events are appropriate and do not have any difficulties  The experimenter has experience with implementing the study so it flows smoothly  Can also assess effectiveness of the IV  Back to Chapter Contents

13.6 Procedure 3/3 Pilot study— is typically a must to insure that  Internet studies—complete it yourself in addition to pilot participants Give you information on how it feels to be in this type of study Give information on if the study works in your browser and if the data is returned in the desired way  Back to Chapter Contents

13.7 Institutional Approval Animal studies must receive approval from Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)  Looks at issues such as pain and discomfort to animals Human studies must receive approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB)  Must submit even if the study falls into the exempt ( 被豁免的 ) category  Primary concern is with human welfare  Back to Chapter Contents

13.8 Data Collection Primary rule is to adhere to the sequence established  Back to Chapter Contents

13.9 Consent to Participate Must get the participants ’ consent to participate prior to using them as participants  Must prepare a “consent to participate form” that Informs them of all aspects that may influence their decision to participate Must be presented in a language they can understand  Assent must be obtained from minors Only exception is when the study falls into the exempt category  Back to Chapter Contents

13.10 Debriefing, or Postexperimental Interview 1/3  Explaining all aspects of the experiment and answering any questions Debriefing Functions  Ethical  Educational  Methodological  Sense of satisfaction from scientific contribution  Back to Chapter Contents

13.10 Debriefing, or Postexperimental Interview 2/3 How to Debrief  Types Post-experimental survey Interview  Back to Chapter Contents

13.10 Debriefing, or Postexperimental Interview 3/3 How to Debrief  How to structure debriefing If deception is used, would first want to probe for suspicions (e.g. asking if they have any questions) Next should explain reason for deception Then should explain the entire study in detail Last part of debriefing should be geared to convincing participant not to communicate the study to others  Back to Chapter Contents