1. Methods of Research

2. 1. Laboratory Experiments Research in lab setting Research in lab setting Researcher can be objective and usually provides accurate info Researcher can be objective and usually provides accurate info May be hard to control all variables May be hard to control all variables

3. 2. Field Experiments Research conducted “in field,” away from lab setting Research conducted “in field,” away from lab setting Setting is more realistic Setting is more realistic May be hard to control all variables May be hard to control all variables

4. 3. Survey Method Questioning method about feelings, opinions, or behavior patterns Questioning method about feelings, opinions, or behavior patterns Can gather information on the above and CAN be very accurate (not always) Can gather information on the above and CAN be very accurate (not always) Survey may not be representative of the population as a whole Survey may not be representative of the population as a whole Questions may not be objective and results may be distorted Questions may not be objective and results may be distorted

5. 4. Naturalistic Observation A method that involves studying subjects without their knowledge A method that involves studying subjects without their knowledge Behavior studied is completely natural Behavior studied is completely natural Researcher may misinterpret subjects’ behavior Researcher may misinterpret subjects’ behavior

6. 5. Interviews Studying people face to face and asking questions Studying people face to face and asking questions Research can obtain personal, detailed information Research can obtain personal, detailed information Subject may not be honest and researchers’ biases may influence behavior Subject may not be honest and researchers’ biases may influence behavior

7. 6. Case Study Method Research that collects lengthy, detailed information about a person’s background, usually for psychological treatment Research that collects lengthy, detailed information about a person’s background, usually for psychological treatment Provides background information that may explain present behavior Provides background information that may explain present behavior Subject may not be honest and researchers’ biases may influence behavior Subject may not be honest and researchers’ biases may influence behavior

8. 7. Psychological Tests Observation and measurement of the subject using objective measurements (IQ test) Observation and measurement of the subject using objective measurements (IQ test) Provides accurate, objective information Provides accurate, objective information Tests limited in the amount of information they can obtain Tests limited in the amount of information they can obtain

9. 8. Longitudinal Method A method of research that studies the same group of people over a period of time A method of research that studies the same group of people over a period of time Necessary for certain kinds of research, such as development Necessary for certain kinds of research, such as development Expensive and time consuming Expensive and time consuming

10. 9. Cross-Sectional Method A method of research that looks at different age groups at the same time in order to understand changes that occur during the life span A method of research that looks at different age groups at the same time in order to understand changes that occur during the life span Samples used are usually representative of population as a whole Samples used are usually representative of population as a whole Less expensive and less time consuming than the Longitudinal Less expensive and less time consuming than the Longitudinal Not good for research on developmental changes over time Not good for research on developmental changes over time

11. Things to know when studying behavior 1. SQ3R 1. SQ3R Survey: develop an idea, what do you want to find out? Survey: develop an idea, what do you want to find out? Question: What questions do you want answered? Question: What questions do you want answered? Read: Research your idea. Prepare your study method. Read: Research your idea. Prepare your study method. Recite: Carry out your plan. Recite: Carry out your plan. Review: Review your idea, plan, and study. What did you find out? Review: Review your idea, plan, and study. What did you find out?

12. Essentials to a good experiment Hypothesis: Hypothesis: A statement of the results researchers expect to get A statement of the results researchers expect to get Subject: Subject: People or animals on whom an experiment is conducted People or animals on whom an experiment is conducted

13. Essentials to a good experiment Variables: Variables: Factors that change and experiment Factors that change and experiment Dependent Variable: That which changes as a result of what the experimenter does with the independent variable. Dependent Variable: That which changes as a result of what the experimenter does with the independent variable. Independent Variable: That which the experimenter does that has an effect on the dependent variable. Independent Variable: That which the experimenter does that has an effect on the dependent variable.

14. Not always used, but may be Experiment Group: Experiment Group: The group on which the critical part of the experiment is performed The group on which the critical part of the experiment is performed Receive treatment Receive treatment Control Group: Control Group: The group that does not participate in the critical part of the experiment The group that does not participate in the critical part of the experiment Don’t receive treatment Don’t receive treatment

15. Guidelines to studying human behavior Be skeptical Be skeptical Keep your values and opinions separate from the study Keep your values and opinions separate from the study Record your work, show others and prove your findings Record your work, show others and prove your findings

16. Ethical Dilemmas Psychological researchers are ethically bound by: Psychological researchers are ethically bound by: Tell the subject as much as possible Tell the subject as much as possible Allow subject to quit at any time Allow subject to quit at any time Try not to deceive. If deception is necessary, let the subject know you are withholding some information and will share everything when the experiment is over. Try not to deceive. If deception is necessary, let the subject know you are withholding some information and will share everything when the experiment is over.