1. Psychological Research Methods
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

2. Steps of Scientific Research
Question Hypothesis Experiment Results Conclusions Theory Replication New Questions

3. Descriptive Research

4. Surveys People respond to questions about a subject
Questionnaires or interviews
Problem: Accuracy
1960s toothpaste
Populations and Samples
Bias
Target Population
Sample

5. Methods of Observation
Testing method
Intelligence, personality, aptitude
Case-study method
Investigation of an individual or small group
Longitudinal method
Observe a group of participant over a long period of time
Cross-sectional method
Observe members from different age groups to avoid the long wait for results
Naturalistic-observation method
Observing people in an every day setting, often unknowingly
Laboratory-observation method
Observations in any place that provides the opportunity for observation or experimentation

6. Analyzing Observations
Correlations – how closely related one thing is to another
Height and ability to reach
Stress and health
Grades and extracurricular involvement
Positive v. negative

7. Experimental research

8. Experimental Method Independent variable Dependent variable
The manipulated factor (warm temperature)
Dependent variable
The variable that depends on the manipulated factor (aggression - result)
Experimental group
Receive treatment
Control group
Do not receive treatment
Placebo
A “fake” treatment

9. Single- and Double-Blind Studies
Single – participants do not know if they are in the experimental group or the control group
Double – participants and researchers are unaware of the control groups or the experimental groups

10. Experiment pg. 58 - 59 Hypothesis 5 volunteers Debriefing:
Target population?
Double-blind?
Independent variable?
Dependent variable?
Control group or experimental group?
Was the hypothesis proved or disproved?