1. Lecture 4 Research Process in IO Psychology

2. Purposes of Research Solve an organizational problem
Answer a scientific question
Explore an issue
Test a theory

3. Research Question Every study begins with a research question
Can be general or specific
Specific leads to hypotheses that are easy to test
Hypothesis
Researcher’s best guess about what the results of a study will be
Most research questions and hypotheses are based off prior research

4. Formulate the RQ:
“I think that female employees hesitate to ask job-related questions to their male managers. Do you think it is true?”
“Seda, I heard that graduates of Koc University complain about working in jobs that do not make use of their qualifications. Do you think it is true?”

5. 4 different types of RQs to test the second observation in the previous slide
RQ1: Do KU graduates complain about underemployment more than the graduates of other universities?
RQ2: Are overqualified people less motivated in their jobs than other employees?
RQ3: Does underemployment reduce the motivation of university graduates?
RQ4: What is the rate of KU students who feel underemployed?

6. Research Design Concepts
Variables
Independent, dependent, moderating, mediating
Research Setting
Field vs. Laboratory
Generalizability
Control
Randomization
Random assignment
Random selection
Confounding

7. Variables Independent variable Dependent variable Control variable
Moderating variable
IV DV
MoV
Mediating variable
IV MeV DV

8. Comparison of research designs / methods
Laboratory
Experiment
Field
(Quasi-experiment)
Questionnaire
(Survey)
Observation
Computer
Simulation
Control (potential for testing causal relationships)
High
Moderate
Low
Low / medium
high
Realism (naturalness of setting)
Moderate/ high

9. You are an I/O Psychologist for an insurance company
You are an I/O Psychologist for an insurance company. You want to assess which of two training methods is most effective for training new secretaries. You give one group of secretaries on-the-job training and a booklet to study at home. You give the second group of secretaries on-the-job training and have them watch a 30-minute video.
What is the independent variable in this study?
What would be a logical dependent variable?
What variables might you want to control in this study?
Why might this field experiment involve less control than if it were a laboratory experiment?
Can you think of any other conditions you may want to test?

10. Exercise answers Research method:
Independent variable(s): Dependent variable(s):
Independent variable(s):
Dependent variable(s):
5. Research method:
Lab experiment
Group (training or not)
Salary negotiated
Survey method
Financial diff., employ.,commit., social support, and time structure
Mental and Physical Health
Field experiment / Quasi-experiment
Shift worked
Productivity and turnover
Experiment
Machine
Products produced and number of rejects
Laboratory experiment
MATCH of the race of the rater and ratee
Work performance ratings

11. Type of RQs and Corresponding Statistics
Relationships among variables
E.g., there is a positive relationship between work hours and burnout.
Corresponding statistical test: e.g., Correlation, regression, path analysis
Differences among groups
E.g., females experience work-family conflict more than males.
Corresponding statistical test: e.g., T-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA,

12. Ethics of Research General principle: Do No Harm Standards
American Psychological Association
Academy of Management
Protecting health and well-being of research participants
Informed consent
Confidentiality
Ethical dilemmas
Interests of the employee vs. the organization