how + why particular research methods are used (8/22)
INTRODUCTION
CONCLUSION
eg. hormones, neurotransmitters + brain
can't be directly observed
at the BLA, symptoms + disorders arise from physiological processes
therefore, main BLA research methods include experiments + case studies
sometimes researchers 2 or more research methods together = TRIANGULATION
EXPERIMENTS
researchers manipulate IV + measure DV
attempt to control as many extraneous variables as possible to provide controlled conditions
determines the cause + effect relationship between IV + DV
3 types: laboratory experiment, natural (quasi) experiment + field experiment
quantitative research method
however qualitative data can be collected as well
BERTHOLD (1849)
Type = lab experiment
DV = the roosters' behaviour (eg. display of aggression)
used because it allows cause + effect relationship to be developed + recognised
IV = whether or not roosters' testes were reattached
cause: amount of testosterone being secreted
effect: masculine behaviour
cause + effect relationship wouldn't be able to be found using other research methods
eg. through a survey / questionnaire / observation
the BLA states that all cognitions, emotions and behaviours have a physiological basis
6 main research methods used in psychology: experiments, case studies, observational studies, interviews, surveys + correlational studies
increases credibility of the study
strengths of lab exp.
easy to replicate
highly reliable + valid
strict control over variables
limitations of lab exp.
hawthorne-effect; pps try to perform in a way that meets the researcher's expectations
screw-you effect; pps try to perform in a way that will sabotage the researcher's aims
not a factor of Berthold's experiment, but in other cases...
CASE STUDIES
qualitative research method, although quantitative data can be recorded too
involve a combination of several research methods eg. interviews + observations
in-depth study of individual / small group
makes the conclusion more valid
can study variables that can't be carried out in a lab experiment due to ethical / financial restrictions
BROCA (1861) 'Tan'
studied the unusual phenomena of man with impaired language
couldn't ethically be carried out in lab experiment
over time, researchers found out more about the brain in relation to localisation of function
in-depth study of individual 'Tan'
weaknesses of case studies
results are often subjective to the researcher
can't be replicated
not in this case, but researcher's could develop personal relationships with pp that influences their results
lacks population validity (extent to which results can be generalised to the population)
at BLA, the 2 main research methods = experiments + case studies
experiments: determine cause-effect relationship between 2 variables
type of research method used is dependent on the researcher's aim
case study: provides in-depth + rich data on an individual / small group