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RESEARCH METHODS. Reminder: Topics Due Wednesday. THEORY. Explanations Connect & organize data Framework for future research Coherent story. CONSTRUCT. An abstract idea. Examples: Justice Humor Love. OPERATIONALIZATION. Construct Concrete terms Multiple possibilities
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RESEARCH METHODS Reminder: Topics Due Wednesday
THEORY • Explanations • Connect & organize data • Framework for future research • Coherent story
CONSTRUCT • An abstract idea. • Examples: • Justice • Humor • Love
OPERATIONALIZATION • ConstructConcrete terms • Multiple possibilities • CONSTRUCT VALIDITY
Where to conduct the research? • The Field • Real world setting. • ADVANTAGE: Realism. • DISADVANTAGE: Lack of control.
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?
EXTERNAL VALIDITY • Do the results obtained in the study generalize to other contexts? • Demand Characteristics
OBSERVATIONAL METHOD • Observe and describe
CORRELATIONAL VS. EXPERIMENTAL • Correlational research examines naturally occurring relationships • ADVANTAGE: Realism. • DISADVANTAGE: Limited conclusions.
CORRELATIONAL VS. EXPERIMENTAL • CORRELATION ≠ CAUSATION!!! • 3 possible explanations • X causes Y. • Y causes X. • X and Y are both caused by a third variable.
DEFINING FEATURES OF AN EXPERIMENT • Controlled conditions • Independent variable • Dependent variable • Random Assignment