Research Methods Resource: Text Chapter 2

What is the scientific method?  a set of principles and procedures that are used by researchers to develop questions, collect data and reach conclusions.  In psychology the goals for research are to:  to describe behaviors  explain why these behaviors occur  to predict and even change human behavior.

Steps in psychology research Step 1 - Identify a problem Step 2 - Form a Testable Hypothesis Step 3 – Design a method Step 4 - Collect Data Step 5 – Analyse Data Step 6 - Reach Conclusions Step 7 – Report the Findings Image from:

Types of research Experimental Scientist sets up controlled conditions to measure the effect of one variable on another Descriptive 1.Case studies  in-depth study of a single individual or group 2.Observational  Collection of data by watching & recording behaviour as it occurs

Identifying the problem 1.Research literature on the topic 2.Refine the idea and purpose so it is specific

Hypothesis  Has to be testable  Written in the form:  If ‘IV’ then ‘DV’  Statement, not question  Clear and precise  Single sentence

Design the method  How?  Who?  What?

Design the method 1.Variables in experimental research  Independent variable (IV) What is being manipulated  Dependent variable (DV) What is being observed/effected by the IV  Extraneous variables Eg: participant age, gender, mood Sometimes can be controlled before

Design the method  Population – refers to the entire group of interest

Design the method  Sampling Techniques  Random - randomly selecting a number of participants from a group. All have an equal chance of being selected  Stratified - randomly selecting participants from different subsets of the population. Selected in the same proportions as they occur in the population

Design the method 2. Control group & experimental group  random allocation of participants to groups  Experimental group – IV present

Design the method 3. Avoid pre-conceived answers (to avoid bias)  Selection bias – if participants aren’t representative of the population  Observer Bias: Occurs when observer/experimenter sees what they expect to see or record only selected details

Does behavior change when the subjects know they are being observed? (form of Hawthorne effect) “When Dr. Henderson comes in, everybody play dead.”

Collect the data  Data Collection Techniques:  Direct observation of behaviour  Questionnaire/survey/rating scale  Interview  Psychological test  Recording physiological response  Examine archive files (past records)

Types of Data  Qualitative data  non-numerical data/information  Describes details of behaviour  Eg: audio or video recordings  Case studies  Quantitative data  Numerical data  Structured around specific behaviours  Allows for statistical analysis  Eg: Likert scale  Closed questions on a survey

Analyse the data  Inferential statistics  Make some conclusions about the data collected and relate it back to the general population  Descriptive statistics  Percentages  Tables  graphs

or Correlation and Causation – Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean ‘cause & effect’

Report findings  See powerpoint – how to write a report  Always write in the 3 rd person  Clear sub-headings for each section of the report

Unethical Psychological Experiments Nazi Medical Experiments  Nazi Twin Studies  Nuremberg Code  International code of ethics  Participants must be voluntary and informed of the risks Stanley Milgram Experiment  Studied conflict between obedience towards authority and personal conscious  Stress to research subjects  Use of deception Ethical Considerations - Participants rights: Confidentiality Withdrawal rights Debriefing Informed consent Voluntary participation Parental informed consent Psychological harm Deception

Ethics in Animal Research  In the regulations an "animal" is any live vertebrate. This includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Insects and other invertebrates are not "animals".  Animal use includes observation of animals for research or teaching. Examples are wildlife surveys and bringing pets to class to demonstrate behavior.  Approval is based on scientific or educational merit and the benefit to animals or society must outweigh the costs in animal pain and distress.