Research Methods Psychology

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Science

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knowledge or truths obtained through scientific method

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Scientific method

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Observe---Fact-- Hypothesis- Test--Law/Theory--- test

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fact

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the quality of being actual which hinges on evidence

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hypothesis

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a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences

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prediction

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a testable consequence drawn from an hypothesis

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test

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actual experiment - manipulation of a part of reality

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law

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order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions (e.g., the law of gravitation, Weber’s law)

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theory

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the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another; the general or abstract principles of a body of facts

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Experimental research

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attempts at identifying cause-effect (C-E) relationships between variables by conducting controlled psychological experiments
Manipulation of one or more variables

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Non-experimental (descriptive) research

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focuses on describing some phenomenon, event, or situation
Quantitative: collection of numerical data
Qualitative: collection of non-numerical data (e.g., interview, written records, etc

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Independent variable/s (IV)

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manipulated by the experimenter
# levels (e.g., stimuli, treatments, amount, etc.)

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Dependent variable (DV)

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behavior that is actually observed

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Correlational research

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attempts at identifying relationships between variables
E.g., children’s IQ and parents’ IQ
E.g., class attendance and grades

Predictive value (but not causal)
Problem of interpretation
E.g., third variable problem (correlation between shoe size and vocabulary)

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Observational research

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collecting data on naturally occurring behavior. E.g.
College students drink more when they are with someone else than when they are alone
People tend to leave a parking spot slower if a car is waiting than when nobody is waiting

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Survey research

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collecting standardized information on a representative sample of the population to describe a given state of affairs at a given time

E.g., How many votes for candidate X? who votes for X?
E.g., How many students purchase product Y? Who? Why?

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Ex post facto studies

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variable of interests is not under the control of the investigators but are chosen after the fact. E.g.,
Traits: depression, extroversion, anxiety
Characteristics: gender, height, ethnic group, political affiliation
Experience: college, divorce, abuse, earthquake, car accident

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Hypothesis

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a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences
Testable assumption about the relationship between two variables

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Starting point

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a fact or an observation
Formulation of a research question

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Variable

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something that changes

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Null hypothesis (H0):

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no relationship between the two variables. E.g.,
Experimental research: No treatment effects
Correlational research: No correlation between the two variables

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Alternative hypothesis (H1):

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significant relationship between the two variables

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Where to get research ideas from?

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Sayings, proverbs, common sense assumptions*

Previous research
Replication
Improvement in validity (internal, external, construct)
Looking for moderator or mediating variables
New hypotheses or predictions

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Moderator variables

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a variable that modulates the relationship between two variables

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Mediating variables

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mental or biological mechanisms by which the stimulus affects the response

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Internal validity

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the degree to which the study demonstrates that the treatment caused a change in behavior
Determination of a cause-effect relationship
Extraneous variables need to be ruled out
Good manipulation
Standardization
Randomization

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construct validity

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The degree to which the experimenter manipulates and measures the underlying psychological factors that the experimenter wanted to manipulate and measure

Note: The experimenter records external behavior, not internal feelings (see Behaviorism)

Psychological constructs: mental states that cannot be directly observed
E.g., love, aggressiveness, anxiety

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External validity

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Can the results be generalized?