Research Methods
Scientific Method Famous Embarrassing Experiment Clever Hans the Counting Horse 1. Humans are gullible 2. Value careful observation 3. Observer-expectancy effects
Scientific Method 1. Literature Review 2. Hypothesis 3. Design & Data Collection 4. Analyze Data - Hypothesis supported? 5. Publish & Replicate 6. Build Theory
Research Methods Major Goals of Psych Research: Describe Explain, Predict Control Major Methods of Psych Research: 1. Experimental Research 2. Descriptive Research
Purpose - identify cause & effect Advantages: precise control identify cause & effect Disadvantages: Ethical concerns Practical limitations Artificiality of lab conditions Confounding variables Biases
Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Manipulated to determine its causal effect on the dependent variable Variable that is measured; it is affected by the independent variable
Experimental Group: Control Group: Group that receives a treatment Group that receives NO treatment
Placebo- (effect, control group, belief) (play lies, placebo clip, coffee clip)
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class.
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. What s the IV?
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. IV = Type of drug given (Ritalin or placebo)
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. What s the DV?
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. DV = Accuracy of notes
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. What treatment does the experimental group receive?
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. Experimental group = Ritalin [the drug]
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. What treatment does the control group receive?
A therapist wants to test a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class. Control = placebo
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. What s the IV?
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. IV = Testosterone
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. What s the DV?
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. DV = Aggressive Behavior
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. What treatment does the Experimental Group receive?
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. Experimental Group = Testosterone
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. What treatment does the Control group receive?
A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior. Control group = Placebo
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. What s the IV?
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. IV = Temperature of room
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. What s the DV?
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. DV = Level of productivity
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. What treatment does the Experimental group receive?
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. Experimental group = Cooler room
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. What treatment does the Control group receive?
An industrial psychologist believes that cooling the room temperature may have an impact on productivity of workers on the assembly line. Control group = regular room temperature
Descriptive Research Purpose - Observe, collect, record Advantages: Minimizes artificiality Easier to collect Disadvantages: No control over variables Biases No causality
Descriptive Research Naturalistic Observation = observing and recording behavior in participants natural state or habitat
Descriptive Research Scientists Study Gorilla Who Uses Tools (10/18/05) A young gorilla in a Congo sanctuary is smashing palm nuts between two rocks to extract oil, surprising and intriguing scientists who say they have much to learn about what gorillas can do
Descriptive Research Naturalistic Observation = observing and recording behavior in participants natural state or habitat Survey = assesses behaviors and attitudes of a sample Case Study = in-depth study of single research participant