What is Research? Chapter 2 Section 1
Pre-research decisions Ask a specific question Look for evidence The method depends on the research topic Make basic decisions in advance
Samples The small group of participants that a researcher studies Must be representative of the population studying Avoid nonrepresentative samples Random sample Pick individuals that represent various subgroups (stratified sample)
Methods of Research Naturalistic Observation Case study Survey Longitudinal Study Cross-sectional Study Correlation Experiment
Methods of Research Naturalistic Observation Case Study Study humans and animals in their natural setting Avoid disturbing the subject you are studying Example: How children act around other children Intensive investigation of one or more people Long-term Cannot be generalized Example: Study cognition of a child
Methods of Research Survey Longitudinal Study Asking individuals a fixed set of questions Takes little time to conduct Example: What type of music do Eisenhower students prefer? Study a group over a long period of time Takes years to complete Example: Study social development of children through adulthood
Methods of Research Cross-sectional Study Correlations Collecting data from groups of differing ages Random sample Cost less and takes less time than other studies Example: Asking 5, 10, and 15 year olds to discuss what they think about a flower Measure of a relationship between 2 variables Correlation does not prove causation Example: Relation between the number of hours studying and success rate on tests
Experiment Must have a testable hypothesis Variable- any factor that is capable of change Independent-changes to observe effects Dependent-changes in relation to Indep. Variable Experimental group- independent variable is applied Control group- independent variable is NOT applied
Ethical Issues Methods of conduct or standards American Psychological Association (APA) set ethical principles (see page 40- 41) Animals in research has caused concern Rights of animals vs. advances in health