Research Process in Psychology Knowledge base revolves around the scientific method Tenacity information is accepted as true because it has always been believed or because superstition supports it Repetitive familiar message example advertisements Intuition Information is accepted on the basis of a hunch or a gut feeling Shortcut on decisions not based on facts Authority Relying on information or answers from an expert in the subject area Scientific Method Rational Method seeks to answer through logical thinking Empirical Method using observation or direct sensory experience to obtain knowledge Scientific Method way to gather data that can prove validity of theory 1 Identify a topic 2 Form a hypothesis 3 Design a study 4 Collect analyze data 5 Interpret communicate results Observe behavior or other phenomenon Inductive reasoning using a small set of observations to form a general statement hypothesis Hypothesis a statement describing a relationship that is logical testable refutable positive Variables characteristics or conditions that change or have different values for different individuals Operational Definitions a description of an abstract property in terms of a concrete condition that can be measured Deductive reasoning uses a general statement as the basis for reaching a conclusion about specific examples The null hypothesis a statement saying there is no relationship between variables Run study 1 Descriptive describing as they are Naturalistic observation real world setting Case studies unique situations single instance examined in detail Surveys relatively inexpensive for quick data limited accuracy 2 Correlational Research Correlation changes in the measurements of one variable are accompanied by the changes in the measurements of another variable Correlation Coefficient an index of how closely related two measured variables are 3 Experimental Research provides the strongest way to test a hypothesis can provide evidence that one event causes another Independent variable intentionally varied Dependent variable measured Confounding variable an aspect of situation that is entangled with the aspects chosen to vary Experimental group receives treatment Control group holds all of the variables in the experimental group constant except the focus variable 4 Quasi Experimental Design Groups selected from what nature has assigned used when difficult unethical to assign participants not as strong as experimental design Meta Analysis combine results of different studies to help determine whether there is a relationship among variables across studies Good Study 1 Reliable consistent a set of measurements can be replicated 2 Has validity 3 No Biases 4 No Experiments Expectancy Effects investigator s expectations lead him her to treat participants in a way that encourages the expected results Clever Hans Reasons for Double Blind study Report positive and negative results
View Full Document
Unlocking...