The Cycle of ScienceThe Cycle of ScienceResearch question about the real worldResearch question about the real world

TheoryTheory

InterpretationInterpretation

StatisticalanalysesStatisticalanalyses

Datagathering

Datagathering

Research hypothesisResearch hypothesis

Research Methods in PsychologyResearch Methods in Psychology

■ ■ The goals of psychology are to describe, The goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, change, prevent, increase, explain, predict, change, prevent, increase, decrease, modify, shape, extinguish, cause, decrease, modify, shape, extinguish, cause, and control behavior. and control behavior.

■■ These goals are accomplished by using the These goals are accomplished by using the scientific method, which is systematic and scientific method, which is systematic and empirical . . . [that is] . . . based on observableempirical . . . [that is] . . . based on observable [and measurable] events.[and measurable] events.

A A case studycase study is an in-depth analysis of a single is an in-depth analysis of a single person or event. person or event. Although the findings of a case study may apply Although the findings of a case study may apply only to the person who was studied, they may only to the person who was studied, they may provide direction for further study using other provide direction for further study using other methods.methods.To study behavior in real-life settings, To study behavior in real-life settings, psychologists often use psychologists often use naturalistic observationnaturalistic observation. . This technique also may suggest research This technique also may suggest research projects using more controlled approaches. projects using more controlled approaches. In using naturalistic observation, the onlooker In using naturalistic observation, the onlooker must be unobtrusive and avoid influencing the must be unobtrusive and avoid influencing the behavior being studied. behavior being studied.

Extracted from Prentice-Hall Ch. 1 PP Slide Show for Davis & Palladino Text, Extracted from Prentice-Hall Ch. 1 PP Slide Show for Davis & Palladino Text, Psychology, 4th Psychology, 4th Edition. Edition.

Dr. Vessels’ additions are shown in brackets.Dr. Vessels’ additions are shown in brackets.

Case Studies & Naturalistic ObservationCase Studies & Naturalistic Observation

Correlational ResearchCorrelational Research● Correlational studies do not inform us about cause; rather, they reveal relationships and help us form reasonable hypotheses (informed predictions) about whether or not one event or variable causes another].● Correlational research tells whether the values of two Correlational research tells whether the values of two variables are relatedvariables are related..

Because it can . . . [support] cause-and-Because it can . . . [support] cause-and-effect statements, . . . the effect statements, . . . the experimental experimental methodmethod is the most powerful . . . is the most powerful . . .

By manipulating an independent variable By manipulating an independent variable ((the possible causethe possible cause), the researcher . . . ), the researcher . . . [can determine with reasonable certainty] . [can determine with reasonable certainty] . . . . whether [or not] it influences the . . . whether [or not] it influences the dependent variable (dependent variable (the effectthe effect). ).

Extracted from Prentice-Hall Ch. 1 PP Slide Show for Davis & Palladino Text, Extracted from Prentice-Hall Ch. 1 PP Slide Show for Davis & Palladino Text, Psychology, 4th Edition. Psychology, 4th Edition. Dr. Vessels’ additions are shown in brackets.Dr. Vessels’ additions are shown in brackets.

Experimental ResearchExperimental Research

Types of Research DesignTypes of Research Design

True experimental research designTrue experimental research design

–Searches for cause-and-effect Searches for cause-and-effect relationships in a “manipulated environment”relationships in a “manipulated environment”

–Randomly assigns subjects to groupsRandomly assigns subjects to groups

–Manipulates at least one independent Manipulates at least one independent variable, i.e. treatment, programvariable, i.e. treatment, program

–Compares data results between groups Compares data results between groups and/or within each group over time (pre-post) and/or within each group over time (pre-post)

Types of Research DesignTypes of Research Design

Quasi-experimental research designQuasi-experimental research design

– Searches for cause-and-effect relationships Searches for cause-and-effect relationships in a “manipulated environment”in a “manipulated environment”

– Does not randomly assign subjects to Does not randomly assign subjects to groupsgroups

– Manipulates at least one independent Manipulates at least one independent variable, i.e. treatments or programs.variable, i.e. treatments or programs.

– Compares data results between groups Compares data results between groups and/or within each group over time (pre-and/or within each group over time (pre-post)post)

Principles for Conducting Research Principles for Conducting Research with Human Participantswith Human Participants

Respect and consideration for participants:

● Informed Consent:● provision of information about, e.g.

• objectives of study (ensure promises realistic)• what is required of participants

● competence of potential participants● freedom to give voluntary consent

● Deception:● to be avoided if possible (controversy here)

● Debriefing● to complete participant understanding

Respect and consideration for participants:

● Informed Consent:● provision of information about, e.g.

• objectives of study (ensure promises realistic)• what is required of participants

● competence of potential participants● freedom to give voluntary consent

● Deception:● to be avoided if possible (controversy here)

● Debriefing● to complete participant understanding

More Ethical Principles for Conducting More Ethical Principles for Conducting Research with Human ParticipantsResearch with Human Participants

● Right to withdraw from the investigation any time during the study

● Confidentiality concerning involvement and data collected from or about

● Protection of participants from physical/ psychological harm and from the

exacerbation of pre-existing conditions

● Right to withdraw from the investigation any time during the study

● Confidentiality concerning involvement and data collected from or about

● Protection of participants from physical/ psychological harm and from the

exacerbation of pre-existing conditions

Data ProtectionData Protection

Obtaining dataObtaining data– Legitimate interest (limited to Legitimate interest (limited to

requirements)requirements)– Consent (informed as to storage, use, etc.)Consent (informed as to storage, use, etc.)

Processing and storingProcessing and storing– Manual or electronicManual or electronic– SecuritySecurity

DisclosingDisclosing– Awareness, security, permissionAwareness, security, permission

Deleting or archivingDeleting or archiving– Period, reason, securityPeriod, reason, security

Informed ConsentInformed ConsentParticipants should not be:Participants should not be:

– Physically harmedPhysically harmed

– Psychologically harmedPsychologically harmed

– Forced to participate, or be unreasonably compelled to Forced to participate, or be unreasonably compelled to participateparticipate

– Informed about the . . . (2003 APA additions) Informed about the . . . (2003 APA additions)

(a) true nature of the experimental treatment; (a) true nature of the experimental treatment;

(b) treatments or services that will not be administered to the (b) treatments or services that will not be administered to the control group; control group;

(c) assignment of participants in the treatment and control (c) assignment of participants in the treatment and control groups; groups;

(d) right to withdraw from the study;(d) right to withdraw from the study;

(e) the right to receive alternative treatments; and (e) the right to receive alternative treatments; and

(e) amount of monetary compensation for participation (e) amount of monetary compensation for participation

Protecting ParticipantsProtecting Participants

Anonymous data – the researcher Anonymous data – the researcher cannot identify participantscannot identify participants

Confidential data – the researcher only Confidential data – the researcher only can identify participantscan identify participants

Levels of Risk to ParticipantsLevels of Risk to ParticipantsNo riskNo risk – anonymous educational testing, – anonymous educational testing, observing public behavior, studying publicly observing public behavior, studying publicly available documents, etc.available documents, etc.

Minimal riskMinimal risk – taking recordings using physical – taking recordings using physical sensors, having healthy volunteers doing sensors, having healthy volunteers doing moderate exercise, doing research on such moderate exercise, doing research on such topics as perception, cognition, etc.topics as perception, cognition, etc.

More than minimal riskMore than minimal risk – research involving – research involving deception and debriefing, collecting confidential deception and debriefing, collecting confidential responses regarding potentially embarrassing responses regarding potentially embarrassing behaviors, etc.behaviors, etc.