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Research Methods in Psychology (Descriptive Methods (Case Study (Strengths…
Research Methods in Psychology
Key Terms
Variable
Any factor that can take different values
Independent (IV)
A variable that the researcher
manipulates
to see if they
create a change
Dependent (DV)
The
outcome
or
performance measures
used to determine the
effect
that the independent variable has
Population
The entire group of people one is interested in studying
Sample
How a researcher selects participants from a population,
should be representative
Representative Sample
The kind of sample that reflects the characteristics of the population.
Random Sampling
Every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample
Convenience Sampling
The researcher selects participants who are available (like in an intro psych class)
Descriptive Methods
Case Study
An in-depth investigation of an individual or small group who may have a highly unusual trait
Strengths
Useful for rare/complex things
Descriptive information
Useful for forming a good hypothesis
Weaknesses
Time-consuming
Observer bias
Hard to generalize
Example
Phineas Gage
American railroad worker, iron rod was driven through his brain (left frontal lobe)
He lived, but gained personality changes
Naturalistic Observation
When reachers collect observations of natural, ongoing behavior
Strengths
First hand information
Behavior is natural/spontaneous "real-world results"
Weaknesses
Observer Bias
Participant Bias
Privacy infringement
Surveys/Questionnaires
Self-report data about attitudes, behaviors, or characteristics
Strengths
Easy to create and administer
Lots of data in a short amount of time
Weaknesses
Biased samples (poor sampling)
People want to appear 'better' than they are
Badly worded questions
Predictive Methods
Correlations
Looking at the relationship
between two variables
(without manipulating either one)
Strengths
Provides relationship to predict future behavior
Can be done with data that already exists
Weaknesses
No manipulation, so no cause-effect relationship
Correlation does
not
equal causation
Correlation Coefficients
Statistical way to measure the relationship between two variables
Postive Correlation
As one increases, so does the other
Ex. attendance increases grades increase
Negative Correlation
As one variable increases, the other deceases
Ex. as absences increase, grades decrease.
Experimental Methods
Experiments
Manipulation of one variable (IV) and observe the effects on another variable (DV)
Strengths
Researcher has control over the situation (more than any other method)
Can determine cause/effect
Weaknesses
Artificial lab setting
Can't control all variables
Requires multiple groups and conditions, most common are experimental groups and control groups
Experimental Group Ex.
The that receives treatment
Control Group Ex.
The group that does not receive the treatment
Makes sure you can measure the independent variable
Use to compare
Ethical Concerns/Considerations
Ethics
Moral principles used to govern the conducting of an activity
APA Ethical Considerations
Informed Consent
Participants must be Informed
Duration
Research Benefits
Incentives for Participating
Purpose and Procedures
Freedom to Withdraw
Protection from Harm and Discomfort
Participants have the right to be protected from any, physical, mental, or emotional harm
Confidentiality
Participants have the rights to have their results stay confidential (no name attached with results)
Debriefing
Participants must be debriefed as soon as possible
Deception
Non-deceptive alternatives should be used whenever possible
Deception cannot cause pain or emotional distress
Must be explained ASAP