Psychological Methods

Psychology An experimental scienceNeeds evidence to support assumptionsScientific Method

Scientific MethodAsk a Question

Test Hypothesis-Identify best way to gather data

Analyze results

Draw conclusions

Replicate and form a theory

Surveys, Samples and PopulationsSurvey-people are asked to answer

questions about a specific subject.What are the disadvantages of a

survey?Population-researchers need to make sure

they have the right population. Why is population important?Sample-A part of the population. They must

represent the target population.

Methods of ObservationTests-Personality testsCase Study-an in depth investigation of an

individual or group. Longitudinal method- studies a group of

participants over a long period of time.Naturalistic –observational method-study

people in their natural habitatLaboratory method

CorrelationsMeasure of how closely one thing is related

to anotherPositive-one goes up, so does the otherNegative-one goes up, the other goes downZero-there is no correlation shownIt describes relationships but does not mean

that one thing causes another

Experimental Method Tries to answer cause and effect.Variables-things that can change or vary in

an experiment.