1. RESEARCH METHODS Reminder: Topics Due Wednesday

2. THEORY Explanations –Connect & organize data –Framework for future research –Coherent story

3. CONSTRUCT An abstract idea. Examples: »Justice »Humor »Love

4. OPERATIONALIZATION Construct  Concrete terms Multiple possibilities CONSTRUCT VALIDITY

5. Where to conduct the research? The Field –Real world setting. –ADVANTAGE: Realism. –DISADVANTAGE: Lack of control.

6. Where to conduct the research? The Laboratory –The essence of a real situation in a controlled environment. –ADVANTAGE: You control the environment. –DISADVANTAGE: Do the results generalize?

7. EXTERNAL VALIDITY Do the results obtained in the study generalize to other contexts? Demand Characteristics

8. OBSERVATIONAL METHOD Observe and describe

9. CORRELATIONAL VS. EXPERIMENTAL Correlational research examines naturally occurring relationships ADVANTAGE: Realism. DISADVANTAGE: Limited conclusions.

10. CORRELATIONAL VS. EXPERIMENTAL CORRELATION ≠ CAUSATION!!! CORRELATION ≠ CAUSATION!!! 3 possible explanations –X causes Y. –Y causes X. –X and Y are both caused by a third variable.

11. DEFINING FEATURES OF AN EXPERIMENT Controlled conditions Independent variable Dependent variable Random Assignment