Science advances as a combo of studies What is happening what does it look like Research Methods Mini Course Why do this There are no perfect studies but some are better than others you can evaluate better after this Also will help you understand processes used and decisions psychologists need to make for research Psychology s Four Goals aka types of questions psychologists ask Will it happen again relationships associations 1 Description 2 Prediction 3 Explanation 4 Control Why is it happening causes Can it be changed application Psychological Research Getting Info Getting Answers Primary Feature of the Scientific Method Regardless of the goal or question the psychological knowledge base evolves through the use of Systematic Empiricism the scientific method Systematic organized and representative Empiricism knowledge through objective observation Thus conclusions are based on careful systematic observation and consensus This is what gives psychologists confidence in the results How far does this confidence go Before we review scientific method When doing research it is important to evaluate Representativeness How well do measures represent what you want How well do subjects represent who you want use samples to infer what is going on in larger grp Generalizability do data extend apply to other groups Gender Age Cultural Group SES urban or rural Basic Vocabulary Theory general ideas about how things work possible explanation for your observations need MULTIPLE supporting studies Ex Ex Hypothesis specific testable prediction based on theory can test with one study there are many hypotheses for any given theory 1 The Scientific Method Sources Of Data 1 Make observations theorize 2 Form a hypothesis 3 Test Design Run a Study Analyze results draw conclusions 4 Report Revise Extend and repeat Which is best know definition pros and cons of each 1 Observations real life lab look 2 Interview and Survey ask 3 Standardized Tests 4 Physiological Measures 5 Case Study typical focus on clinical issues Meeting the Goals of Psychology Through Research 1 Descriptive Research 3 main types of research descriptive correlational experiments As it sounds collect data and summarize it frequencies averages percentages etc goal determines type to use 1 Description descriptive 2 Prediction correlational 3 Explanation experiment 4 Control experiment How recognize no attempts are made to manipulate predict or determine cause 2 Prediction Studies Correlational Research Prediction Methods Finding Relationships Looking for patterns and associations If two things are associated you can predict one from the other How Recognize Gather data already out there and analyze it No manipulations No decisions about who gets what Correlation mathematical measure of the relationship correlation coefficient r represents this relationship r tells you several things at once cid 1 Are the variable related cid 1 If so how strong is relationship cid 1 What direction is relationship 2 Finding Relationships Correlation Examples Strength Stronger better predictions fewer exceptions What about direction Positive correlation variables related in same direction cid 1 High scores predict high low predict low cid 1 Exs Negative correlation variables related in opposite dir cid 1 High scores predict low low predict high cid 1 Exs Correlation does not prove causation A few last words on correlational studies Why Not no way to tell if a caused b if b caused a or if a third variable caused the other two Example stress and illness Why is it so hard for people to get this Correlations group trends may or may not hold for individuals meaning you will find exceptions but if need to guess better than chance ex admissions decisions experiments really about group trends too 3 Explanation and Control Studies Experiments How do they do it The Experiment looking for causes Next 2 slides show Reasoning behind why we can conclude causation 1 Start with 2 or more groups 2 Treat them exactly the same except for 1 thing that thing is called the independent variable IV 3 Then see if IV caused anything by measuring a variable you expect to change as a result of it called the dependent variable DV 4 Compare groups if you have a difference between groups ion the DV you know IV caused it b c everything else was the same 3 Experiments How do they do it Experiments Definitions How Recognize You control everything You must control cid 1 Environmental circumstances cid 1 Who gets what in terms of the IV Random assignment helps to insure no pre existing differences causing results Independent variable IV the suspected cause you control you decide who gets Dependent variable DV where impact expected what you measure after on everyone Experimental group s group s getting the IV Control group for comparison may or may not have the group not getting the IV Experiments Definitions Possible Problems Confounding Variables 3rd variable problems Controlling for Expectations vars that changed with your IV but you didn t know it they re a problem b c could be real cause of your results Single blind study controls for Placebo effect subs don t know if in exp or control We will discuss just two types 1 subject expectations placebo effect 2 experimenter expectations experimental bias Double blind study controls for Placebo and exp bias neither subs nor data collectors know if sub is in the experimental or control group The Experiment sample Does tv violence lead to aggression Hypothesis Independent variable IV Dependent variable DV Experimental group s Control group Results 4 Bottom Line for Consumers of Research True or False People have done horrible things to other people in the name of research cid 2 Know the types of research which is this cid 2 Was the study run well cid 2 Are the conclusions fair based on type of study and data collected corr vs exp cid 2 Is sample representative of group you are interested in or can you generalize Ethical Issues Ethics in Psychological Research Safeguarding individual rights and well being is a priority in research today For example 1 Avoiding harm physical and psychological Some risks obvious some more subtle need to think and need outside input 2 Violations of privacy Common ethical guidelines 1 Rights and well being of participants must be weighed against the study s value to science 2 Deception must be justified 3 Participants must be allowed to make an informed decision 4 Participants must be protected from risks or told
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