1. Year 10 Science Life - Psychology
Research Methods
Year 10 Science Life - Psychology

2. RESEARCH METHODS Scientific Method Variables Hypotheses
Sample and Population
Random and Stratified sampling
Control and experimental groups
Random Allocation
RESEARCH METHODS

3. The systematic approach for planning, conducting and reporting research involving the collection of data.
Use of Scientific method ensures conclusions are:
Valid : justified by the data
Reliable: can be replicated
Allows psychologists to draw accurate & objective conclusions.
The Scientific Method

4. RESEARCH METHODS 7 Steps Identification of the problem
Collection of information about the problem
Formulation of a hypothesis
Designing the method
Collecting and analysing the data
Drawing a conclusion
Reporting findings
Test the conclusion
RESEARCH METHODS

5. 1. Identification of the problem
A researcher will identify the area in which to conduct a study
Eg. Eating disorders in teenage girls
1. Identification of the problem

6. 2. Collection of information about the problem
They will find and read any background information on the topic
Read literature
Journal articles
2. Collection of information about the problem

7. 3. Formulation of a hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable prediction of the relationship between two variables (events or characteristics)
It’s an educated guess because it’s based on a literature search
It’s formulated prior to the commencement of the research
3. Formulation of a hypothesis

8. ‘it is predicted that adolescent girls with low self esteem are at higher risk of suffering from an eating disorder than are adolescent girls with high self-esteem’
Example of hypothesis

9. A hypothesis is a statement predicting how changes in the IV will affect the value of the DV.
It must include:
The IV
The DV
The population
A direction (more, less, higher, lower etc.)
Writing a hypothesis

10. Variables

11. An experiment is used to test whether one variable influences or causes a change in another variable
eg. Does talking on your mobile while driving effect your reaction time
Independent Variable (IV) manipulated(changed)/controlled by the experimenter
Dependent variable (DV)
observed reaction/ results of the experiment
Variables

12. It was hypothesised that SMC students who read a chapter of their English novels every night will score higher English exam grades than those who do not read every night.
Hypothesis example

13. It was hypothesised that SMC students who read a chapter of their English novels every night will score higher English exam grades than those who do not read every night.
Population
Hypothesis example
Dependent Variable
Independent Variable

14. It is predicted that Year 12 Psychology students who sleep fewer than 6 hours a night will be more likely to score high (more than 8) on Koerner’s irritability scale than those who sleep more than 6 hours per night.
Identify:
Population
Independent Variable
Dependant Variable
Your turn

15. The researcher will determine which participants will be studied, how many and how they will be selected.
Who, what, when, where how?
A data collection procedure will be chosen, this includes a controlled experiment, naturalistic observation, survey, interview, case study etc.
4.Designing the method

16. Example of method Two groups of females aged 10 – 15 selected. Random
100 females total
Survey
Tested again in a few months/ years
Example of method

17. Control and Experimental Groups
A basic experiment uses two groups:
Experimental Group: are exposed to the IV or treatment
Control Group: do not receive any treatment or IV. It’s purpose is to be a basis of comparison to the experimental group
It is important that the control and experimental groups are as similar as possible to each other and are treated in the same manner throughout the experiment.
Their only difference should be the presence or absence of the IV.
Control and Experimental Groups

18. A sample is a subsection, or smaller group, of research participants selected from a larger group (population) of research interests
Random sampling is a sampling procedure that ensures that every member of the population of research interest has a genuinely equal chance of being selected
This can be obtained by:
Drawing names out of a “hat”
Using a computer generated table of random numbers
Sample and Population

19. 5. Collecting and analyzing the data
‘Raw data’ is the actual responses collected from each participant
Summarised, organised and presented in a logical manner
This could include presenting tables, graphs, means, mode, median, frequency tables or percentages

20. 6. Drawing Conclusions The data need to be interpreted and explained
The hypothesis is supported or rejected
A conclusion is made
6. Drawing Conclusions

21. 7. Reporting the findings
A report is submitted to a journal or at a conference
It communicates the research findings to others
It outlines each stage of the process and describes limitations or problems encountered
Once published, other researchers may use it in their literature background reading
7. Reporting the findings

22. 8. Testing the conclusions
The study may be repeated with a different sample by the same researchers or others
Similar results make the theory being tested more reliable and robust.
8. Testing the conclusions

23. In Summary All the population relevant to the question under study
Participants in the study
(Sample)
Divided in half
Half the participants
are put in the
Experimental group
Half the participants
are put in the
Control group
The Independent
Variable is
NOT present
The Independent
Variable is
present
(We can vary this)

24. VCE results of both groups are collected and compared
Does listening to music whilst studying improve VCE results?
Population
All Yr 11 students
at St Monica’s
Random or stratified Sampling
Dependent Variable
VCE results
Independent Variable
Hours of listening
to music
Sample
30 Yr 11 students
at St Monica’s
Random
Allocation
Control group
15 Yr 11 students
Who do not listen
to music while
studying
Experimental group
15 Yr 11 students
who listen to music
while studying
VCE results of both groups are collected and compared