1. Intro to Research: How Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions Correlation and Description

2. What you need to know by the end of the day…. Differentiate types of research with regard to purpose, strengths, and weaknesses. –Why use each type of research method Describe how research design drives the reasonable conclusions that can be drawn. –How can each research method best be used based on their results

3. Correlation POSITIVE CORRELATION Two variables increase together or decrease together Example: The number of gallons of gas pumped is positively correlated to the amount spent on gas. NEGATIVE CORRELATION Variables move in opposite directions Example: Miles traveled is negatively correlated to the amount of gas left in your tank. The measure of the relationship between two items or variables

4. No relationship (0.00) Perfect negative correlation (-1.00) Scatterplots Perfect positive correlation (+1.00) Scatterplot is a graph comprised of points generated by values of two variables. The slope of points depicts the direction, and the amount of scatter the strength of relationship.

5. Correlation Coefficient Correlation coefficient Indicates direction of relationship (positive or negative) Indicates strength of relationship (0.00 to 1.00) r = 0.37 + Statistical measure that shows the degree of relationship between two variables Number will always fall between -1.0 and +1.0 The higher the number the stronger the relationship

6. Correlation Coefficient Examples - 0.78 moderately strong negative + 0.05 very weak positive - 0.43 moderately weak negative + 0.92 very strong positive What kind of relationships do the following correlations have?

7. Another example…. Scatterplot showing relationship between height and temperament in people. What kind of relationship is depicted? Moderately positive… +.63

8. or Correlation and Causation Knowing that two items are correlated does NOT necessarily tell us why or exactly how they are related!!

9. CORRELATION CAUSATION

10. 3 types of Research 1.Descriptive (Observational)- simply describing a behavior 2.Correlation- finding the relationship between two variables 3.Experiment- controlled setting, manipulated variables

11. Naturalistic Observation Observation of human or animal behavior in the environment in which it typically occurs Jane Goodall’s study of chimpanzee culture

12. Naturalistic Observation Valuable where other methods are likely to be disruptive or misleading Problems with Naturalistic Observation –If people know they are being observed, they tend to act differently than they normally would Ethically you usually must tell people you are observing them, yet can combat by observing for a long period of time –Observations can be distorted if observers expect to see certain behaviors Why would this be a problem? How could it be solved?

13. Case Study Intensive examination of the behavior and mental processes associated with a specific person or situation http://behavioralhealth.typepad.com

14. Case study Are useful when something is new, complex or fairly rare –Often used in clinical work and neuropsychology Limitations… –May contain evidence that a certain research thought to be important (why would this be a problem?) –Are unlikely to be representative of people in general Yet…provide valuable material for further research and serve as testing ground for new treatment, training programs & other applications of research

15. Survey A technique for ascertaining the self- reported attitudes, opinions or behaviors of people usually by questioning a representative, random sample of people. http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org

16. Surveys Validity of data depends upon: –How questions are worded –Representativeness of people surveyed (why?) Other limitations… –Willingness of people to honestly complete the survey –People may say what they believe they should say about an issue Still a great way to gather LARGE amounts of information

17. Quasi-experiments Studies that have the same “control” as experiments yet do not include the random assignment of participants EXAMPLE Researchers want to test hypothesis that a pregnant woman’s use of drugs will cause abnormalities in her developing baby. Could you ethically randomly assign women who are 8 weeks pregnant to a group that will be snorting cocaine 3 times a day? Why or why not?

18. Quasi-experiments Conclusions are not as firm as those drawn from true experiments, yet they allow research to be conducted on topics and in settings that would otherwise be impossible