The Research Enterprise in PsychologyExperimental researchMeasurement and descriptionUnderstanding and PredictionScientific methodtheorieshypothesisresearchSteps in scientific investigation (Figure 2.2 in textbook)Experimental ResearchKurtosis and SkewnessStandard DeviationResearch methodsNaturalistic observation:Case studiesSurveysExperimentGET IT RIGHTAdvantages and DisadvantagesAPA Ethical GuidelinesEvaluating ResearchNuremberg codeBelmont ReportBelmont Report Cont.National Research ActTuskegee TrialsThe Research Enterprise in PsychologyLecture 9/12/12, 9/17/12Experimental researchMeasurement and descriptionFirst goal of psych is develop techniques that define ambiguous traits clearly and precisely(check textbook)Understanding and PredictionHow X affects Yi.e. How does high stress affect student academic motivationX is the independent variableY is the dependent variablePurpose of experiment is to see IF X affects YScientific methodTheory  hypotheses  empirical researchtheoriesInterrelated ideas used to explain a set of observationsExplain phenomenonGeneral statementsTestable with use of hypotheseshypothesis“if-then” statementsExecute theoriesresearchHow hypotheses are testedFigure 2.1 in textbookSteps in scientific investigation (Figure 2.2 in textbook)Hypothesis: “Students who study over a span of 3 weeks before a test perform better than those who wait until the night before”Method: Replicatable designData Collection: SurveyingAnalysis: Compare surveys to test scoresReport Findings: “Hypothesis proven true” and what it means for societyFurther research and theory building/ new hypothesisExperimental ResearchIndependent variable  predictor variableDependent variable  outcome variableExperimental group  group that will receive something that aids in comparing to control groupControl group  similar demographically to experimental group to avoid extraneous variablesExtraneous variablesKurtosis and SkewnessAnalyze the data in relation to the normal distributionIndicators of the distribution of the dataStandard DeviationInterpret how data points vary in our populationResearch methodsExperimentNaturalistic observationCase studiesSurveysNaturalistic observation: study people, animals, or culture without any control of environment (people may behave differentlyExternal validity means the findings are indicative of the real world (strive for this!)Internal validity identifies the cause and effect relationship (cannot be done in naturalistic observation)Case studiesIndividual/unique caseProves the case can occurCannot be applied to entire population thoughIntroduce to new pharmaceuticalOften subjectiveH.M. : amnesia patientSurveysAccessibleStraight forwardReach different demographicsAcquire statisticsResourceful, not costlyHonesty is not guaranteed Social desirability bias is the tendency to respond in a socially acceptable way and not truthfullyExperimentControlled environment to observe the relationship between two variablesObserver bias: manipulating the results Inter-rater reliability: being confident in collecting data for experiment in different areasTest Retest Reliability: confidence in data when tested at different times, memory and skillGET IT RIGHTCorrelation DOES NOT equal CausationAdvantages and DisadvantagesExperiments are often artificial (limitations, measure a controlled environment in a realistic way)Ethical concerns (subjects need to consent and cannot be harmed in the experiment)Practical realities (environment must allow interpretation of cause + effect, and generalization, resources and time)APA Ethical GuidelinesBoth animal and human subjects should be treated with dignity and respect in research processInstitutional Review Boards (IRBs) is the governing body that allow researchers to do research by deeming it valuable and in no way put subjects at riskEvaluating ResearchReplication: able to mimic an experimentMeta-analysis: summarizing the empirical question by looking at multiple experiments of the same topicNuremberg codeNuremberg code“Primum non nocere”First do no harmHippocratic OathMost important document in the history of the ethics of medical researchFormulated in August 1947 in Nuremberg, GermanyBy American judges sitting in judgment of Nazi doctorsUse of prisoners in Nazi concentration camps1471 documents, 23 defendants, 16 found guiltyBelmont ReportEthical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects in researchRespect for persons: individuals treated as autonomous agents, enter into research voluntarily and with adequate information, no coercion or undue influence, thorough and comprehensive informed consentVulnerability Principle: people should be treated as autonomous individuals, people with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection (mentally ill, minors, elders, etc.)Belmont Report Cont.Beneficence: respecting decisions and protecting from harm, maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harm, Principle of Beneficence, assessment of risks (possibility that harm may occur) and benefits (something of value related to health/welfare), Principle of Non-maleficence (do no harm)Justice: receive benefits of research and bear it burdens, fairness of distribution, what is deserved, injustice occurs when some benefit to which a person is entitled is denied without good reason, ways to distribute burdens and benefitsNational Research ActSigned in law on July 12, 1974Created the National Commission for Protection of Human Subjects in Biomedical and Behavioral Research--Identify basic ethical principles involving human research--Develop guidelinesBelmont report summarize the basic ethical principlesTuskegee TrialsStudy of untreated syphilis in 1932 in men from Tuskegee, ALFederally funded by US Public Health ServiceDetermine the course of untreated syphilisMisled when recruitedEnrolled without informed consentDenied treatment with penicillin Halted in 1972, deeming it ethically