Chapter 2 Outline Research Methods Goals Describe Behavior Behavior Behavior Control and Behavior Scientific Attitude Skepticism and humility Critical thinking does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions examines assumptions evaluates evidence assesses conclusions What makes it science What makes scientific knowledge different than anecdotal knowledge or popular beliefs Science is 1 Systematic exploration of a problem 2 Results published in journals replication 3 Builds upon past research How do researchers generate scientific knowledge Scientific Method Hypotheses Predictive Hypothesis Used for description and prediction Cannot make cause and effect conclusions Causal Hypothesis Have to be able to manipulate the variables Research Methods Survey Methods Conducting surveys Questionnaires written form Interviews orally Not as rich as case studies Self report not as reliable as observing actual behavior Naturalistic Observation Also known as a field study Case Studies Scientific explorations of a single individual Highly detailed Used to explore rare conditions Lack generalizability Must be aggregated to make generalizations to the population Correlational Studies Test the relationship or correlation between two or more variables Experiment Only type of study that can determine cause Investigator manipulates one or more factors independent variable to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process dependent variable Two Important Features 1 Variables are controlled and manipulated 2 Participants are randomly assigned The point is to manipulate one variable and see the effects on another Independent variable Dependent variable Confounding variables Ideal Experiment Randomization or Random sampling Population of Interest Sample Random Assignment Quasi Experiment Example Experiment Imagine we wanted to study the effects of caffeine on learning Independent Variable Caffeine Dependent Variable Learning Operational definition for learning Time to learn the maze Experimental Condition Receiving caffeine Control Condition No caffeine Research Ethics Institutional Review Board Respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of participates American Psychological Association Sets the ethical guidelines Research Ethics Informed Consent 1 General Purpose 2 3 Assignment manner 4 Anything that might affect the decision to participate 5 6 Any risks Human 1 2 3 4 5 Non Human 1 2 3 4
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