Research Methods

1. Research Methods An introduction

2. Gathering Data • In research methods we look at two things: • How will we run the study? (Method) • How will we gather the data? (Techniques)

3. Research Methods • How will we run the study depends on what we are trying to achieve: • If we are looking to simply describe something then we use the descriptive method • If we are looking for relationships between variables then we use the correlational method • If we are looking to establish cause and effect then we use the experimental method

4. Research Methods • Descriptive Method • No manipulation of variables • Record and describe DEMO: Transport survey

5. Research Methods • Correlational Method • No manipulation • Measure two or more variables • Describe the relationship between the variables DEMO: Shoe size and distance living from college

8. Research Methods • Experimental Method • Manipulation of one or more variables (IVs) • Measure the effect of the manipulation on other variables (DVs) • Establish cause and effect DEMO: Wordsearch concentration

9. Research Methods • NB (Special case) – If any of these methods are used on a single person or group then we call it a case study • It could be a descriptive case study • It could be a correlation case study • It could be an experimental case study

10. Data Gathering Techniques • There are many, many different ways of gathering data. These are the more common ones used in psychology: • Observation • Self-report questionnaire • Self-report interview • Archive research • Psychological testing • Physiological testing

11. Data Gathering Techniques Observations Involves observing behavior as it unfolds in a natural or lab setting • Advantages • behaviors are spontaneous • don’t rely on self-reports • Disadvantages • researcher interference • rarity of some behaviors • observer bias & selective attention • time-consuming

12. Data Gathering Techniques Archives Involve gathering public records of social behaviors • Advantages • easy access to large amounts of pre-recorded data • little worry as to ethical issues • Disadvantages • many interesting social behaviors are never recorded • time-consuming

13. Data Gathering Techniques Self-Reports Involve asking people questions about their beliefs and behaviors (surveys or interviews) • Advantages • allows study of difficult-to-observe behaviors, thoughts and feelings • easy to distribute to large groups • provides large amounts of data • Disadvantages • people who respond may not be representative • responses may be biased or untruthful • open qu’s difficult to score/analyse • closed qu’s may force people to choose an answer which doesn’t reflect their true choice/opinion.

14. Data Gathering Techniques Psychological Tests Involve attempts to assess an individual’s abilities, cognitions, motivations, or behaviors • Advantages • allows measurement of characteristics not easily observeable • Disadvantages • tests may be unreliable • tests may be reliable but not valid

15. Research Methods Any method can generally use any technique. (Can you think of some unlikely combinations?)

16. Putting it together • We may therefore say that the research method used in a study is... • A case study using observation and interviews • A field experiment using observation • A correlation study using archival research • A lab experiment using physiological tests and self-report questionnaires • ...or any other combination you can think of

17. TASK 1: What methods could you use to investigate the following? The effects of drugs on behaviour Animal Behaviours Aggression Child development/behaviours Smoking Competitiveness

18. FURTHER TASKS • Which methods (and techniques) have been used in the Piliavin, Bandura, Thigpen & Cleckley, and Maguire studies? • Try out some other techniques: • Physiological: take your own or someone else’s pulse • Psychometric: try out some IQ questions • Projective: try the Rorschach test or TAT • Read up on observations in preparation for next lesson – what are the various types of observation and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

19. Study ideas – Descriptive (Observation) Do people pay attention to their own reflection when walking past a shop window and if so, what do they do? Do shoppers abide by the sign in the local supermarket suggesting ‘ten items or less only’? What types of behaviour do people display when having to wait in a waiting room? Study ideas – Correlation Is there a correlation between hours of revision and exam results? Is there a correlation between number of friends on facebookand hours socialising each month? Is there a correlation between hours worked per week and consumption of drinks containing caffeine? Is there a correlation between a person’s self rated level of attractiveness and age? Study ideas – Experiment Do males have a better short term memory than females? Does coloured paper improve learning or performance? Does the gender of someone in need of help affect the speed that help is received in? How does age affect our ability to complete the Strooptest? Does skipping breakfast decrease concentration levels?

20. Top 5 Studies Not To Do • You need to realistically be able to do these studies over the next couple of weeks and they need to all be ethically sound • What studies should we NOT do? • Descriptive… • Correlation… • Experiment…