1. Chapter 1 Psychological Research and the Research Methods Course
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The Psychologist as Detective: An Introduction to Conducting Research in Psychology Randolph A. Smith Stephen F. Davis
Chapter 1
Psychological Research and the Research Methods Course
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2. Learning Objectives
1.1 Recognize different types of research methods used by psychologists 1.2 Describe the components of the research process 1.3 Enumerate the advantages of knowing how to apply research methods in psychology
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3. How Psychologists Acquire Knowledge
Objective 1.1 Recognize different types of research methods used by psychologists
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4. 1.1 How Psychologists Acquire Knowledge
- Studies of behaviors - Research methods
Point 1 – Studies of behaviors
Animals
People
Point 2 – Research methods
Question dependent
Wide variety of methods
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5. The Research Process
Objective 1.2 Describe the components of the research process
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6. 1.2 The Research Process (1 of 11)
Finding a Problem
- Beginning of a project
Finding a Problem
Point 1 – Beginning of a project
Example: Salary affecting dating (Driggers and Helms, 2000)
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7. 1.2 The Research Process (2 of 11)
Reviewing the Literature
- Explore research studies
Reviewing the Literature
Point 1 – Explore research studies
Published
Meetings
May lead to modifications
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8. 1.2 The Research Process (3 of 11)
Theoretical Considerations
- Definition of theory
- Two common properties
Theoretical Considerations
Point 1 – Definition of theory
Formal statement of variable relationships
Not based on guesses
Point 2 – Two common properties
Attempt to organize data
Leads to new research
Analogy of a road map
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9. 1.2 The Research Process (4 of 11)
Hypothesis
- Definition
- Research or experimental hypothesis
Hypothesis
Point 1 – Definition
Attempt to state specific relationships within a larger area or theory
Multiple hypotheses for a research question
Point 2 – Research or experimental hypothesis
Predicted outcome
Influenced by other hypotheses and theories
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10. 1.2 The Research Process (5 of 11)
Research Plan
- Research design
Research Plan
Point 1 – Research design
Research design or experimental plan for study
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11. 1.2 The Research Process (6 of 11)
Conducting the Research Project
- Location
Conducting the Research Project
Point 1 – Location
Laboratories
Field
Archives
Etc.
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12. 1.2 The Research Process (7 of 11)
Analysis of Research Findings
- Analysis of data
- Statistically significant
Analysis of Research Findings
Point 1 – Analysis of data
Analysis dependent on methodology
Statistics
Point 2 – Statistically significant
Not necessarily of practical importance
Rarely by chance
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13. 1.2 The Research Process (8 of 11)
Decisions in Terms of Past Research and Theory
- Results interpretation
- Generalizability
Decisions in Terms of Past Research and Theory
Point 1 – Results interpretation
In terms of past research and theory
Was hypothesis supported?
Relationship to current theory
Changes to theory
Point 2 – Generalizability
Extend results as widely as possible
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14. 1.2 The Research Process (9 of 11)
Preparing the Research Report
- APA formatting
Preparing the Research Report
Point 1 – APA formatting
Standard format
Publication Manual
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15. 1.2 The Research Process (10 of 11)
Sharing Your Results: Presentation and Publication
- Psychological conventions
- Journal publication
Sharing Your Results: Presentation and Publication
Point 1 – Psychological conventions
Poster
Oral paper
State and regional student conventions
Psi Chi
Point 2 – Journal publication
Journal of Psychological Inquiry
Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research
Include faculty advisor as coauthor
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16. 1.2 The Research Process (11 of 11)
Finding a New Problem
- New questions
Finding a New Problem
Point 1 – New questions
New variables
Other factors
Different manipulations
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17. Why Is the Research Methods Course Important?
Objective 1.3 Enumerate the advantages of knowing how to apply research methods in psychology
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18. 1.3 Why Is the Research Methods Course Important?
- Assisting you in other psychology courses - Conducting an original research project - Conducting a research project after graduation - Getting into graduate school - Becoming a knowledgeable consumer of research
Point 1 – Assisting you in other psychology courses
Foundation of research
Point 2 – Conducting an original research project
Present project
Point 3 – Conducting a research project after graduation
Many careers require research
Point 4 – Getting into graduate school
Admissions requirement
Point 5 – Becoming a knowledgeable consumer of research
IQ, cola, media, etc.
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