Psychology: A Research EnterpriseResearch Methods: Experimental DesignThe Research….The Research…Flaws/Weaknesses of the StudyAdvantages and Disadvantages of Experimental DesignResearch Methods: Correlational DesignThe correlational statisticDescriptive/Correlational ResearchPowerPoint PresentationSlide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Car vs. TruckEvaluating Flaws in ResearchPsychology: A Research EnterpriseResearch Methods: Experimental Design•The basic premise•Does variable X cause in variable Y?•The variables•Independent (predictor variable)•Dependent (outcome variable)•Extraneous •Try to control/random assignment •The groups•Experimental vs. controlThe Research….Who can cross a busy road better, a varsity wrestler or a psychology major?Student-athletes and studentsVirtual Reality Road Crossing (treadmill)Distractions (cell phone, music)Successful completions/time (30-sec limit)The Research…IV = distractions categorical/predictor variable : athleteDV = complications Extraneous Variables =Setting:Flaws/Weaknesses of the Study•Sampling Bias•Small sample; restricted age range•Lacking a Control Group•Individuals with quick processing speed but non-athletes•Virtual Reality Street•Too controlled?? Too artificial??Advantages and Disadvantages of Experimental Design•Advantages•Permits CAUSE AND EFFECT conclusions!!•Controls for extraneous variables•Disadvantages•Artificial – too controlled, simplified •Can’t study everything•Unethical/impracticalResearch Methods: Correlational Design•The basic premise•Observe/Describe patterns of behavior•Discover links between variables•Types of correlational studies•Naturalistic•Case Studies•Surveys•Examples: College Major and SAT Scores; Basketball Player height and winsThe correlational statistic•Positive or Negative•Direction of relationship•Negaive – opposite direction•Posirive •Numerical value•Strength of relationship•“0” = no relationship•-1 or 1 = perfect relationship•-1--------------------------------0--------------------------------1Strong negative strong positiveDescriptive/Correlational Research•Advantages:•Explore behavior/questions that cannot be manipulated or controlled •Disadvantages:•Cannot determine CAUSATION!!!!•Spurious correlations•Murder and Ice Cream •Arm length and cognitive reasoning•Price of rum and minister salaryRoughly 40 students ages 12 to 17 were asked to save their instant messages for a week. At the end of the study, the participants completed a standardized spelling test. The study found no evidence of a detrimental effect of text speak on conventional spelling.Study #1: Texting and SpellingBritish experts studied more than 17,000 children born in 1970 for about four decades. Of the children who ate candies or chocolates daily at age 10, 69 percent were later arrested for a violent offense by the age of 34. Of those who didn't have any violent clashes, 42 percent ate sweets daily.Study #2: Sugar and PrisonResearchers staked out two bars in the west of France and observed drinking habits of 40 patrons. With permission from bartenders, the scientists pumped up the volume of a Top 40 station from 72 to 88 pounding decibels. In this earsplitting din of pop-music, patrons drank more in less time.Study #3: Music and BeerA research sat in on several classes the day after a UNC basketball game over the course of a season. The researcher made note whether UNC won or loss the basketball game and then tabulated how many students were wearing Carolina-related attire during the next day’s class.What type of study is this?What are the variables? Study #4: BIRG TheoryStudy #5: Bikers and MoviesWhat is the IV?What is the DV?Car vs. TruckEvaluating Flaws in Research•Sampling Bias•E.G. – Phone surveys; jury decision-making•Placebo effects•Assess for placebo effects with a “fake” treatment – placebo pill•Self-report bias•Social desirability, response sets, poor memory, wishful thinking•Experimenter bias•Double-blind