Introduction to Research Methods

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is an essential characteristic of research?

Efficiency

Replicability (correct)

Clarity

Usability

What is research?

Conducted to answer questions about practical issues. (correct)

A purposeful, systematic activity. (correct)

Conducted for purely academic purposes. (correct)

A random, unplanned process of discovery.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of basic research?

Basic research is analytical in nature.

Basic research is carried out with a primary focus on possible practical ends. (correct)

Basic research is theoretical in nature.

Basic research is primarily concerned with the expansion of knowledge and not with the applicability of the research outcomes.

Which of the following is not a method of basic research?

Interview Signup and view all the answers

What study strategy involves witnessing and recording behaviors in natural settings without intervening?

Observational Research Signup and view all the answers

Which research method involves controlled experiments designed to establish cause-and-effect relationships?

Experimental Research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of applied research?

It is solution-specific and addresses practical questions. Signup and view all the answers

What subfield of applied psychology seeks to enhance mental health interventions?

Clinical and Counseling Research Signup and view all the answers

In applied psychology, which subfield applies concepts to law and criminal justice?

Forensic Psychology Research Signup and view all the answers

What type of applied psychology research examines work satisfaction and employee motivation?

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Research Signup and view all the answers

Which research approach investigates the association between two or more variables without changing them?

Correlational Research Signup and view all the answers

What type of research involves active participation of researchers in the setting studied?

Ethnographic Research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of applied research in psychology?

Correlational Research Signup and view all the answers

How does brain drain affect the research landscape in India?

It results in a loss of talented researchers and skilled workforce. Signup and view all the answers

What role does industry-academia collaboration play in addressing research challenges in India?

It provides access to funding and resources for research projects. Signup and view all the answers

Attributes of objects, events, or things which can be measured are called?

Variables Signup and view all the answers

In a study of the relationship between hours of study and exam scores, what is the number of hours of study an example of?

Independent Variable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can best be described as a categorical variable?

Religion Signup and view all the answers

The experimental studies are based on?

The manipulation of the variables. Signup and view all the answers

A manipulated independent variable is called?

Active Variable Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Research?

Research is a systematic and purposeful activity used to answer both academic and practical questions.

Key Characteristics of Research

Replicability: Research should be repeatable, producing similar results when conducted again under the same conditions.

Basic Research

Analytical & Theoretical: Expands knowledge without a primary focus on practical applications.
Not Focused on Practical Ends: Aims to understand underlying principles and expand knowledge.

Basic Research Methods

Interview: Gathers information through direct conversation.
Observation: Records behavior and events in their natural setting.
Experiment: Manipulates variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Data Analysis: Examines and interprets collected data.

Observational Research

Non-Intervening: Researchers observe behaviors or events without influencing variables.

Experimental Research

Cause-and-Effect: Uses controlled experiments to establish relationships between variables.

Applied Research

Solution-Oriented: Focuses on addressing practical issues and finding solutions.

Subfields of Applied Psychology

Clinical and Counseling Research: Enhances mental health interventions and therapies.
Educational Research: Focuses on improving learning and teaching processes.
Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Research: Examines factors like work satisfaction, leadership, and motivation to enhance productivity and employee well-being.
Forensic Psychology Research: Applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice contexts.
Health Psychology Research: Examines the relationship between psychological factors and health outcomes.

Correlational Research

Association, Not Causation: Investigates the association between variables, not their cause-and-effect relationship.

Ethnographic Research

Immersive Participant Observation: Researchers immerse themselves in the setting and understand social phenomena from the perspectives of those involved.

Applied Psychology Research Types

Observational, Correlational, Developmental, and Descriptive:
These approaches use techniques to gather and analyze data, but their focus is on real-world applications.

Challenges in Research Landscape in India

Brain Drain: The loss of talented researchers and skilled workforce to other countries negatively impacts research.
Industry-Academia Collaboration: While it provides funding and resources, this collaboration can also create conflicts of interest.

Variables

Variables: Measurable attributes of objects, events, or things.
Independent Variable: Variable manipulated by the researcher.
Dependent Variable: Variable measured to observe effects of manipulations.
Categorical variable: Variable classified into distinct categories (e.g., religion).

Experimental Studies

Manipulation: The foundation of experimental studies is the manipulation of variables.

Active Variable

Manipulated Independent Variable: "Active Variable" is a term used to describe an independent variable directly controlled by the researcher.

Extraneous Variable

Uncontrolled Influence: An extraneous variable is not the focus of the study but can impact its outcome.

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Description

This quiz explores fundamental concepts and characteristics of research. It covers various research methods, including basic, observational, and experimental techniques, while emphasizing replicability and the analytical nature of research. Test your knowledge on how different methods contribute to expanding knowledge in both academic and practical contexts.