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Welcome to Research Methods and Experimentation. How do psychologists collect data about behavior?. Regardless of the method used, all research is based on the Scientific Method of Psychology Scientific means systematic, testable, and objective.
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Regardless of the method used, all research is based on the Scientific Method of Psychology • Scientificmeans systematic, testable, and objective.
What are the three main principles that guide the Scientific Method of Psychology?
Scientific Method • Step 1 – Theory • Step 2 – Hypotheses • Step 3 – Research and Observation
Theories organize known facts and summarizes current research in the field.
A hypothesis is then created as a testable prediction based on what is currently known and what we want to find out.
Research or observation or experiments are generated to collect data, which then goes into evaluating the hypothesis, which may or may not add to the existing theory.
What are the most common methods used by psychologists to collect data?
Naturalistic Observation • Study behavior in in a subject’s natural environment. • No interaction with the subject. Is this natural?
What are some potential problems with this type of research?
Bias • Situation in which a factor unfairly increases the likelihood of a researcher reaching a particular conclusion
Example of Bias I am researching teenagers behavior and I was recently mugged by a group of teenagers… am I likely to observe teenage behaviors as being motivated by evil versus good? Why?
Going for an “observational” walk • We are going to walk through the building • Your job is to write EVERY behavior you see… • When we come back to the room, ask yourself “Why was ____ doing ____?” • Please do not communicate with anyone during this exercise !!!!
Case Study • In depth study of one individual with the hopes of determining universal principles • Very open to bias • Difficulty of applying data from one person to everyone
Case Study • Case studies often include face-to-face interviews, paper and pencil tests, and more.
IE. I want to know why Bart killed thirty-five people over a twenty-year period of time. I will examine the police files, observe and interview Bart, talk to his and the victims families, etc.
Difficulty of applying data from one person to everyonebias, etc What are some potential problems with this type of research?
Survey Method • Research method that relies on self-reports; uses questionnaires, interviews. • Usually a very efficient and inexpensive method to collect a lot of information and create basic assumptions about behaviors.
…very tricky to make a good survey! • Questions need precise answers • Wording must be simple: 77% of New Yorkers interested in plants and trees, but only 39% interested in botany; • Don’t embarrass or humiliate • Responders will lie if there is a perceived punishment • To long • Etc… • Can you spot the problems….?
Correlational Study • Research study designed to determine the degree to which two variables are related to one another
IE. What is the relationship between exercise and weight? Smoking and cancer? Brain size and intelligence? Education and level of income?
What are some potential problems with this type of research?
Watch out for illusory correlations! • Does sugar make kids more hyper? • Does a full moon make people act crazier? • Does going outside with no coat on mean you will catch a cold?
Correlational Study • Correlation studies DO NOT prove causation. They can only suggest that there is or is not a relationship between the two variables.
IE. • A correlation study may suggest that people who earn higher levels of education generally earn higher salaries, but it can’t definitively say that getting a degree will get you a higher paying job.
After you plot the data the slope (direction) of the line indicates whether or not there is a positive, negative, or no relationship between variables. • How close the dots are together indicates how close the relationship between the variables is.
Positive Correlation • As the value of one variable increases (or decreases) so does the value of the other variable.
Studying and Grades • As students study more, their grades increase. • Practice and Athletics • As athletes practice more, their batting averages increase • Dieting and Weight Loss • As dieters ate less, their weight dropped.
Negative Correlation • As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable decreases. • The more you exercise, the less you weigh • The more you study, the less your teachers yell at you
Zero Correlation • There is no relationship whatsoever between the two variables. • The length of your hair has no influence on your level of intelligence.
Correlational Study • Important NOT to imply a cause and effect relationship between the variables • Correlational study does not determine why the two variables are related--just that they are related. • Correlational studies are helpful in making predictions.
Experiment • An investigation seeking to understand relations of cause and effect.
IE. I want to know if new drug A will help to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia. Patients will be given different doses at different times to see what works and what doesn’t. I need to control other factors, like mattress softness and room temperature, to eliminate them as causes of sleep deprivation.
The Hawthorne Effect refers to the fact that some subjects will alter their behaviors simply because they know that they are part of an experiment, regardless of what is being done to them.
