1. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 Research Methods in Psychology

2. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 2 Research Preview Questions What are the major objectives of science? What is the scientific method, and what are its four general steps? What are the major research methods psychologists use? What ethical guidelines must psychologists follow in their research? What are the major objectives of science? What is the scientific method, and what are its four general steps? What are the major research methods psychologists use? What ethical guidelines must psychologists follow in their research?

3. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 3 Objectives of Science Description –Observations vs. inferences Explanation –Purpose of theories Prediction Control Description –Observations vs. inferences Explanation –Purpose of theories Prediction Control

4. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4 Figure 1.9: General Steps in the Scientific Method Precision is an important component in defining the research questions Operational Definitions are required with abstract ideas.

5. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 5 Case Study Method In-depth study of one or more individuals. Anecdotes as casual case studies. Limitations of case study method. In-depth study of one or more individuals. Anecdotes as casual case studies. Limitations of case study method.

6. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 6 Survey Method Information gathered from targeted groups of people. –Structured interviews –Questionnaires Goal: generalize from sample to population –Importance of random sampling Problems –Social desirability bias –Volunteer bias Information gathered from targeted groups of people. –Structured interviews –Questionnaires Goal: generalize from sample to population –Importance of random sampling Problems –Social desirability bias –Volunteer bias

7. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 7 Naturalistic Observation Direct observation of behavior in natural environment. Problems –Observer biases –Possible unintended consequences Direct observation of behavior in natural environment. Problems –Observer biases –Possible unintended consequences

8. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 8 Correlational Method Used to examine the relationship between two variables. Correlation coefficient as a statistical measure of association –Positive vs. negative correlations Limitation: Correlation is not causation. Used to examine the relationship between two variables. Correlation coefficient as a statistical measure of association –Positive vs. negative correlations Limitation: Correlation is not causation.

9. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 9 Benefits of the Correlational Method Offers clues to underlying causes. Can identify groups at high risk for physical or behavioral problems. Increases understanding of relationships between variables or events. Offers clues to underlying causes. Can identify groups at high risk for physical or behavioral problems. Increases understanding of relationships between variables or events.

10. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10 Experimental Method Allows for investigation of cause-and-effect relationships. Independent Variables: Factors that are manipulated in an experiment. Dependent Variables: Outcome variables believed to be dependent on independent variable. Allows for investigation of cause-and-effect relationships. Independent Variables: Factors that are manipulated in an experiment. Dependent Variables: Outcome variables believed to be dependent on independent variable.

11. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 11 Experimental Method Participants Independent variable: control group Independent variable: experimental group Random Assignment Measure dependent variable: Is there a difference?

12. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 12 Experimental Method Controlling for placebo effects Controlling for expectancy effects –Single-blind and double-blind procedures Controlling for placebo effects Controlling for expectancy effects –Single-blind and double-blind procedures

13. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 13 Ethical Principles in Psychological Research Purposes: –Promote individual dignity. –Protect human welfare. –Preserve scientific integrity. Role of ethics review committees Role of informed consent Importance of confidentiality Ethical guidelines for animal research Purposes: –Promote individual dignity. –Protect human welfare. –Preserve scientific integrity. Role of ethics review committees Role of informed consent Importance of confidentiality Ethical guidelines for animal research