The results conclusions of a psychological study can only be as good as the methods used to get and analyze the data Why do this Science advances through a combination of studies Some are better than others Review will help you evaluate studies recognize what to trust what to ignore Research Methods Scientific Method and Basic Vocabulary Regardless of the specific question goal answers are found using the scientific method Steps of the scientific method answering questions through objective systematic observation and consensus Observe and Speculate develop a theory about what is out there already Look around look at what you know come up with a theory about why it is this way Theory general idea about how things work explanation for your observation need multiple studies to support Develop your hypothesis Hypothesis specific testable prediction educated guess based on theory can test with one study can lend credibility to theory cid 127 Many hypotheses for any given theory and we need to test many before confidence in theory 1 Design and run a study to test it collect data Choose measures Choose procedures Collect data 4 Analyze data and Draw conclusions Is hypothesis correct Use statistics to determine meaning objectively Allows for consensus 5 Evaluate and share findings Share positive and negative Results become new observations process starts again If theory is supported extend and test limits new groups other variations If it is not modify or even abandon and start again add this information to the available observations step 1 and start again cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 Theory vs Hypothesis Theory General idea conceptual about what and why Hypothesis Sepecific prediction based on theory need multiple studies can test with one study Population The entire group of interest every teenager in America cid 127 Generally not practical turns out not necessary for good study Sample A subset of the population Can infer population info with a GOOD sample What makes a good sample Size Must be big enough guidelines available Representativeness Must reflect those of interest accurately Best way to ensure representativeness Random sampling Randomly selecting people from the population Generalizability Do results apply to other groups cid 127 Gender Age Cultural group Data Collection Techniques Observations natural setting or laboratory cid 127 Watch and record See real behavior Time consuming people react to being watched thoughts and feelings can t be observed Survey and Interview Ask about anything cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 Faster less expensive People lie social desirability bias people may not know why Archival cid 127 What Use data others have collected Pros Faster less expensive Cons Limited by what s there out of date Case Study What Tremendous detail on one subject Pros Learn whats possible Cons Not what is probable Ethical considerations in Psychological Research What is a priority in research today Safeguarding individual rights and well being avoiding physical and psychological harm How are these safeguarded Ethical principals of psychologists and code of conduct Institutional Review Boards IRBs Common Ethical Guidelines 3 4 5 6 7 Rights and well being of participants must be weighed against the study s value to science Deception must be justified Participants must be allowed to make an informed decision about participation informed consent Participants must be protected from risks or told explicitly of risks Participants may withdraw from the study any time Investigator must debrief participants telling the true nature of the study and expectations of results Data must remain confidential cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 Animal Research 5 7 research done with animals in psychology Why do animal research benefits of animal research Study animals to help animals nothing to do with people Look for information that will help humans Can control more aspects of animal environment what they eat ext Shorter life span easier to study aging A little more leniency on pain ect Ethical guidelines with animals Focus is on avoiding unnecessary pain or suffering What of studies are done with animals 5 7 Bottom Line for Consumers of Research Know the types of research which is this cid 127 Was the study run well right design good measures sampling procedures legitimate reliable source Are the conclusions fair based on type of study and data collected corr vs exp resist avoid attributing causes where none have been found Is sample representative of group you are interested in meaning can you generalize remember most answers come from a combination of studies cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127
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