1. RESEARCH METHODS.. Understanding and working with the major forms of research

2. 4 Basic Principles of Research Objective= without bias Replicable= stands the test of time Valid= accurately measures the variables studied Reliable= results aren’t skewed

3. 4 Major Types of Research… Natural Observation Case Study Survey Experiment

4. Natural Observation (also called the field study) 1904- Germany Clever Hans Mr. Van Osten (owner)

5. People/animals are observed in their normal or “natural” or “ field” habitat There can be NO INTERFERENCE between researcher and subject Observer effect Observer bias

6. Natural observation.. Advantages Potential for a great deal of information Observations can be repeated by others Behavior in natural settings is more accurate Disadvantages Little or no control group possible Behavior may be altered by the presence of the observer No “conclusive” cause can be identified

7. Case Study sometimes called the “clinical” method In-depth investigation of an individual or a small group Chosen because of an “existing” condition Information used to generalize to other people/groups Take the form of:  Interviews  Observations  Background checks

8. Case Study.. Advantages Takes advantage of rare or unusual problems or events Disadvantages Little or no control group Subjective interpretation Single case can be misleading

9. Phineas Gage…

10. The Survey…… Information gathered by asking people directly Importance of random sample!

11. Survey.. Advantages Data from a large group Address questions not answered by other techniques Can be very accurate Inexpensive Can be done quickly Disadvantages Findings may not be accurate (wording/honesty) Problems identifying a random sample May be time consuming

12. The Experiment… Experiments are controlled situations in which one aspect of the situation (independent variable) is manipulated in order to measure the other (dependent) variable

13. The experiment is the only research method that shows cause and effect

14. Components… Variables Independent Variable= the factor the researcher manipulates. It is the suspected cause Dependent Variable= the factor that is being measured Groups Experimental Group= the group exposed to the independent variable Control Group= the group exposed to all conditions except the independent variable

15. Placebo= Inactive substance used to alter someone’s expectations Placebo effect= Changes cause by the person’s belief

16. Researcher Controls…. Blind Procedure= The participants in an experiment do not know what (if any) treatment (independent variable) they are receiving Double Blind= Both the participants and the researcher do not know which subjects are receiving the treatment (independent variable)