Non-true-experimental Designs PSY 231 Research Methods in Psychology

Announcements This week in labs—running group projects please be on time Fill out Rating Sheet #1 by Monday (can turn in Th/Fr) Journal Article Summary #2 due in lab next week research participation alternative

last section of the course Chapter 12—The Correlational Research Strategy Chapter 13—The Descriptive Research Strategy Chapter 10—The Nonexperimental and Quasi-Experimental Strategies: Nonequivalent Group, Pre-Post, and Developmental Designs Chapter 14—Single-Subject Research Designs Chapter 15—Statistical Evaluation of Data

today Chapter 12—The Correlational Research Strategy Chapter 13—The Descriptive Research Strategy Chapter 10—The Nonexperimental and Quasi-Experimental Strategies: Nonequivalent Group, Pre-Post, and Developmental Designs Chapter 14—Single-Subject Research Designs Chapter 15—Statistical Evaluation of Data

descriptive research talked about observation research designs (naturalistic, participant, contrived) and case studies earlier focus on survey research design (most common method)

survey research method why use it? provides way to learn about people study relationships among variables/ways that attitudes and behaviors change over time assumes people respond accurately and truthfully response sets

steps in survey research decide objective construct questions/responses finalize survey administer survey

constructing questions 1. define research objectives attitudes or beliefs facts and demographics behaviors

constructing questions 2. word questions carefully simplicity is key

constructing questions 2. word questions carefully simplicity is key avoid double-barreled questions

BADGOOD Should senior citizens be given more money for recreation centers and food assistance programs? Should senior citizens be given more money for recreation centers? Should senior citizens be given more money for food assistance programs?

constructing questions 2. word questions carefully simplicity is key avoid double-barreled questions loaded questions

BADGOOD Do you favor eliminating the wasteful excess in the public school budget? Do you favor reducing the public school budget?

constructing questions 2. word questions carefully simplicity is key avoid double-barreled questions loaded questions negative wording

Negative wording BADGOOD The city should not approve the proposed women’s shelter. The city should approve the proposed women’s shelter.

Constructing questions 2. Word questions carefully simplicity is key avoid double-barreled questions loaded questions negative wording yea-saying and nay-saying

Yea-saying and nay-saying The members of my family and I spend a lot of time together. I spend most of my time with my friends. I feel isolated from others. I feel I am very close to my group of friends.

constructing responses 3. closed-ended or open-ended? advantages and disadvantages to both

constructing responses Closed-endedOpen-ended What is the best thing about ISU? (choose one) 1. Location 2. Academics 3. Dorm food 4. People who sell things between Milner and the Bone What is the best thing about ISU?

constructing responses 4. if closed-ended decide number/label of response alternatives should use odd number (5 or 7 best) labels should be clear decide scale rating: PSY 231 is an important course in the major Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree

constructing responses 4. if closed-ended decide scale semantic differential: PSY 231 Important _____: _____: _____: _____: _____: Unimportant Boring _____: _____: _____: _____: _____: Interesting nonverbal scale for children: Point to the face that shows how you feel about the toy.

finalizing the questionnaire 5. formatting neatly typed and free of errors group questions by topic use scales consistently sequence interesting questions first sensitive questions in the middle demographic questions last

finalizing 6. refining give to small group ask to ‘think aloud’ help to improve questionnaire

administering questionnaires less costly than interviews allows anonymity requires participants can read/understand questions may find it boring response bias

administering questionnaires personal administration mail surveys Internet surveys

administering interviews often establish rapport more likely to respond to person able to clarify questions interviewer bias

administering interviews face-to-face telephone focus groups

correlational research determine relationship between variables correlation coefficient (r): statistic that describes relationship between variables range: -1……0……+1 negative relationship: as one variables increases, the other decreases positive relationships: as one variable increases, the other increases/as one variable decreases, the other decreases

correlational research correlation coefficient (r): statistic that describes relationship between variables strength small—r =.10 and -.10 medium—r =.30 and -.30 large—r =.50 and -.50

scatterplots strong positive relationship (.89)

scatterplots weak positive relationship (.27)

scatterplots strong negative relationship (-.91)

Scatterplots weak negative correlation (-.31)

scatterplots No relationship (.13)

correlational research advantages good starting point for research observe natural relationships allows study of variables that are impossible/unethical to manipulate

correlational research disadvantages no causality!!! directionality problem third variable problem

Cutting, Bock, & Herrmann (2013) administered a survey asking college students about their consumption of alcohol and their G.P.A. surveyed included: On average, how many alcoholic drinks do you consume on a weekly basis?__________ What is your college G.P.A.?__________

Cutting, Bock, & Herrmann (2013) found a strong negative correlation (r = -.998) between number of alcoholic drinks and college G.P.A.

Cutting, Bock, & Herrmann (2013) based on the results, they suggested that drinking alcohol causes lower grades What do you think? It turns out that between May 2010 and May 2011 (time of data collection), all of Chicago’s major sports teams (Cubs, Bears, Bulls) had good seasons and went to their respected playoffs

next time Chapter 12—The Correlational Research Strategy Chapter 13—The Descriptive Research Strategy Chapter 10—The Nonexperimental and Quasi- Experimental Strategies: Nonequivalent Group, Pre-Post, and Developmental Designs Chapter 14—Single-Subject Research Designs Chapter 15—Statistical Evaluation of Data