1. Research Methods
An introduction

2. Gathering Data In research methods we look at two things:
How will we run the study? (Method)
How will we gather the data? (Techniques)

3. Research Methods
How will we run the study depends on what we are trying to achieve:
If we are looking to simply describe something then we use the descriptive method
If we are looking for relationships between variables then we use the correlational method
If we are looking to establish cause and effect then we use the experimental method

4. Research Methods Descriptive Method No manipulation of variables
Record and describe
DEMO: Transport survey

5. Research Methods Correlational Method No manipulation
Measure two or more variables
Describe the relationship between the variables
DEMO: Shoe size and distance living from college

8. Research Methods Experimental Method
Manipulation of one or more variables (IVs)
Measure the effect of the manipulation on other variables (DVs)
Establish cause and effect
DEMO: Wordsearch concentration

9. Research Methods
NB (Special case) – If any of these methods are used on a single person or group then we call it a case study
It could be a descriptive case study
It could be a correlation case study
It could be an experimental case study

10. Data Gathering Techniques
There are many, many different ways of gathering data. These are the more common ones used in psychology:
Observation
Self-report questionnaire
Self-report interview
Archive research
Psychological testing
Physiological testing

11. Data Gathering Techniques
Observations
Involves observing behavior as it unfolds in a natural or lab setting
Advantages
behaviors are spontaneous
don’t rely on self-reports
Disadvantages
researcher interference
rarity of some behaviors
observer bias & selective attention
time-consuming

12. Data Gathering Techniques
Archives
Involve gathering public records of social behaviors
Advantages
easy access to large amounts of pre-recorded data
little worry as to ethical issues
Disadvantages
many interesting social behaviors are never recorded
time-consuming

13. Data Gathering Techniques
Self-Reports
Involve asking people questions about their beliefs and behaviors (surveys or interviews)
Advantages
allows study of difficult-to-observe behaviors, thoughts and feelings
easy to distribute to large groups
provides large amounts of data
Disadvantages
people who respond may not be representative
responses may be biased or untruthful
open qu’s difficult to score/analyse
closed qu’s may force people to choose an answer which doesn’t reflect their true choice/opinion.

14. Data Gathering Techniques
Psychological Tests
Involve attempts to assess an individual’s abilities, cognitions, motivations, or behaviors
Advantages
allows measurement of characteristics not easily observeable
Disadvantages
tests may be unreliable
tests may be reliable but not valid

15. Research Methods
Any method can generally use any technique. (Can you think of some unlikely combinations?)
Method
Technique
Descriptive
Observation
Correlation
Archival research
Experiment (lab)
Psychological tests
Experiment (field)
Physiological tests
Experiment (quasi)
Self-report (interview)
Case Study
Self-report (survey)

16. Putting it together
We may therefore say that the research method used in a study is...
A case study using observation and interviews
A field experiment using observation
A correlation study using archival research
A lab experiment using physiological tests and self-report questionnaires
...or any other combination you can think of

17. TASK 1: What methods could you use to investigate the following?
The effects of drugs on behaviour
Animal Behaviours
Aggression
Child development/behaviours
Smoking
Competitiveness

18. FURTHER TASKS
Which methods (and techniques) have been used in the Piliavin, Bandura, Thigpen & Cleckley, and Maguire studies?
Try out some other techniques:
Physiological: take your own or someone else’s pulse
Psychometric: try out some IQ questions
Projective: try the Rorschach test or TAT
Read up on observations in preparation for next lesson – what are the various types of observation and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

19. Study ideas – Descriptive (Observation)
Do people pay attention to their own reflection when walking past a shop window and if so, what do they do?
Do shoppers abide by the sign in the local supermarket suggesting ‘ten items or less only’?
What types of behaviour do people display when having to wait in a waiting room?
Study ideas – Correlation
Is there a correlation between hours of revision and exam results?
Is there a correlation between number of friends on facebook and hours socialising each month?
Is there a correlation between hours worked per week and consumption of drinks containing caffeine?
Is there a correlation between a person’s self rated level of attractiveness and age?
Study ideas – Experiment
Do males have a better short term memory than females?
Does coloured paper improve learning or performance?
Does the gender of someone in need of help affect the speed that help is received in?
How does age affect our ability to complete the Stroop test?
Does skipping breakfast decrease concentration levels?

20. Top 5 Studies Not To Do
You need to realistically be able to do these studies over the next couple of weeks and they need to all be ethically sound
What studies should we NOT do?
Descriptive…
Correlation…
Experiment…