Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall How Psychologists Do Research Chapter 2

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall

Descriptive Methods Methods that yield descriptions of behavior but not necessarily causal explanations. Include: –Case studies. –Observational studies. –Psychological tests. –Surveys. Methods that yield descriptions of behavior but not necessarily causal explanations. Include: –Case studies. –Observational studies. –Psychological tests. –Surveys.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Case Studies A detailed description of a particular individual being studied or treated which may be used to formulate broader research hypotheses. More commonly used by clinicians; occasionally used by researchers. A detailed description of a particular individual being studied or treated which may be used to formulate broader research hypotheses. More commonly used by clinicians; occasionally used by researchers.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Observational Studies Researchers carefully and systematically observe and record behavior without interfering with behavior. –Naturalistic observation. Purpose is to observe how people or animals behave in their natural environment. –Laboratory observation. Purpose is to observe people or animals in a more controlled setting. Researchers carefully and systematically observe and record behavior without interfering with behavior. –Naturalistic observation. Purpose is to observe how people or animals behave in their natural environment. –Laboratory observation. Purpose is to observe people or animals in a more controlled setting.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Psychological Tests Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, interests, abilities and values. Characteristics of a good test include: –Standardization. –Reliability. –Validity. Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, interests, abilities and values. Characteristics of a good test include: –Standardization. –Reliability. –Validity.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Surveys Questionnaires and interviews that ask people about experiences, attitudes, or opinions. A representative sample. –Group of subjects, selected from the population for study, which matches the population on important characteristics such as age and sex. Popular polls and surveys rely on volunteers. Questionnaires and interviews that ask people about experiences, attitudes, or opinions. A representative sample. –Group of subjects, selected from the population for study, which matches the population on important characteristics such as age and sex. Popular polls and surveys rely on volunteers.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Correlational Study A descriptive study that looks for a consistent relationship between two phenomena. Correlation. –A statistical measure of how strongly two variables are related to one another. –Correlational coefficients can range from to 1.0. A descriptive study that looks for a consistent relationship between two phenomena. Correlation. –A statistical measure of how strongly two variables are related to one another. –Correlational coefficients can range from to 1.0.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Scatterplots Correlations can be represented by scatterplots.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall An Experiment A controlled test of a hypothesis in which the researcher manipulates one variable to discover its effect on another. An experiment includes variables of interest, control conditions, and random assignment. A controlled test of a hypothesis in which the researcher manipulates one variable to discover its effect on another. An experiment includes variables of interest, control conditions, and random assignment.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Variables of Interest Independent variables are variables the experimenter manipulates. Dependent variables are variables that the experimenter predicts will be effected by manipulations of the independent variable or variables. Independent variables are variables the experimenter manipulates. Dependent variables are variables that the experimenter predicts will be effected by manipulations of the independent variable or variables.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Control Conditions In an experiment, a comparison condition in which subjects are not exposed to the same treatment as in the experimental condition. In some experiments, the control group is given a placebo which is an inactive substance or fake treatment. In an experiment, a comparison condition in which subjects are not exposed to the same treatment as in the experimental condition. In some experiments, the control group is given a placebo which is an inactive substance or fake treatment.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Random Assignment For experiments to have experimental and control groups composed of similar subjects, random assignment should be used. Each individual participating in the study has the same probability as any other of being assigned to a given group. For experiments to have experimental and control groups composed of similar subjects, random assignment should be used. Each individual participating in the study has the same probability as any other of being assigned to a given group.

Wade/Tavris, (c) 2006, Prentice Hall Experimenter Effects Unintended changes in subjects behavior due to cues inadvertently given by the experimenter. Strategies for preventing experimenter effects include single and double- blind studies. Unintended changes in subjects behavior due to cues inadvertently given by the experimenter. Strategies for preventing experimenter effects include single and double- blind studies.