Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one purpose of conducting research?
What is one purpose of conducting research?
Research is only about discovering new knowledge and does not involve reviewing existing information.
Research is only about discovering new knowledge and does not involve reviewing existing information.
False
What is the first step in the research process?
What is the first step in the research process?
Identify the problem
Research provides opportunities to __________, clarify, pursue, and discover new aspects of a subject.
Research provides opportunities to __________, clarify, pursue, and discover new aspects of a subject.
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Match the following research purposes with their descriptions:
Match the following research purposes with their descriptions:
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What is the primary aim of qualitative research?
What is the primary aim of qualitative research?
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In an experimental study, dependent variables can be manipulated by researchers.
In an experimental study, dependent variables can be manipulated by researchers.
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What is a controlled variable?
What is a controlled variable?
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In the context of research, a _____ is a characteristic or feature that varies within a study across participants.
In the context of research, a _____ is a characteristic or feature that varies within a study across participants.
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Match the type of research methodology with its description:
Match the type of research methodology with its description:
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Which of the following is an example of a dependent variable?
Which of the following is an example of a dependent variable?
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Identify the independent variable and dependent variable in the study examining the impact of colour of room on exam performance.
Identify the independent variable and dependent variable in the study examining the impact of colour of room on exam performance.
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If a study includes only one gender, gender becomes a variable in that study.
If a study includes only one gender, gender becomes a variable in that study.
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What is a common issue when a research topic is too broad?
What is a common issue when a research topic is too broad?
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Narrowing down a research topic can only be done by changing the time frame.
Narrowing down a research topic can only be done by changing the time frame.
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What is one method to narrow down a research topic?
What is one method to narrow down a research topic?
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The research topic 'Voting trends in Maldives' can be narrowed down by focusing on ______ among 18-24 year old females.
The research topic 'Voting trends in Maldives' can be narrowed down by focusing on ______ among 18-24 year old females.
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Match the original topics with their narrowed versions:
Match the original topics with their narrowed versions:
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What is the independent variable (IV) in the sugar consumption experiment?
What is the independent variable (IV) in the sugar consumption experiment?
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What is the dependent variable (DV) in the exercise study regarding mood enhancement?
What is the dependent variable (DV) in the exercise study regarding mood enhancement?
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A controlled setting allows for easier replication of experiments.
A controlled setting allows for easier replication of experiments.
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What are the two types of research settings mentioned?
What are the two types of research settings mentioned?
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In a naturalistic experiment, behavior is more likely to reflect ______.
In a naturalistic experiment, behavior is more likely to reflect ______.
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Match the type of research setting with its characteristic:
Match the type of research setting with its characteristic:
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Which of the following is a limitation of controlled settings?
Which of the following is a limitation of controlled settings?
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What must researchers do before selecting literature for a project?
What must researchers do before selecting literature for a project?
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What does a correlation coefficient of 0 indicate?
What does a correlation coefficient of 0 indicate?
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Causation implies that one variable changes as a direct result of another variable.
Causation implies that one variable changes as a direct result of another variable.
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Name one challenge researchers face when conducting research.
Name one challenge researchers face when conducting research.
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The coefficient in a correlational study can range from ___ to ___.
The coefficient in a correlational study can range from ___ to ___.
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Which of the following examples illustrates a negative correlation?
Which of the following examples illustrates a negative correlation?
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Correlation between smoking and alcoholism implies that smoking causes alcoholism.
Correlation between smoking and alcoholism implies that smoking causes alcoholism.
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What is the most effective way to establish causality between variables?
What is the most effective way to establish causality between variables?
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Match the types of relationships to their descriptions:
Match the types of relationships to their descriptions:
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Study Notes
Introduction to Research Methods
- The lecture is an introduction to research methods, specifically for PSY 131, week one.
- Learning objectives include understanding research, its purpose, topic selection, narrowing topics, and identifying research difficulties.
- Research is defined as a systematic and methodical search for information on a specific topic.
- All scientists have their own view of research's purpose.
- Research is a key element of any degree course.
- It allows for control and autonomy over learning.
- Research provides the opportunity to confirm, clarify, pursue, and discover new aspects of a subject or field.
Purpose of Research
- Reviewing/synthesizing existing knowledge is a research purpose.
- Investigating current situations/problems is another research purpose.
- Providing solutions to problems is a vital research goal.
- Exploring and analyzing broader issues is a way researchers contribute.
- Constructing or creating new procedures or systems is a goal of research.
- Explaining new phenomena is a research objective.
- Generating new knowledge is an essential function.
Research Process
- Identifying the problem is the first step in the research process, which includes:
- Identifying an area of interest
- Reviewing relevant literature
- Generating new ideas in the area of interest
- Developing a research hypothesis
- Developing a plan is the second step.
- Conducting the study/collect data is the third step.
- Analyzing and evaluating data is the fourth step.
- Generating new ideas is a related process.
- Communication the findings is the final step.
Research Approaches/Methodologies
- Quantitative research is based on measuring quantity or amount, often using experimental or non-experimental designs, such as surveys or correlational designs.
- Qualitative research involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting non-numerical data. It aims to discover underlying motives and desires, often using in-depth interviews.
- Mixed methods research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches in a single study.
Variables of Research
- A variable is a characteristic or feature that changes within a study across participants.
- Examples including gender, which would be a variable in study investigating differences between males and females.
- If a study has only female subjects, gender is not a variable.
- Gender is not a variable in a study that doesn't compare men and women, even if both sexes are involved.
Independent and Dependent Variables
- Independent variables can be manipulated in an experiment.
- Dependent variables are outcomes or results influenced by the independent variables.
- Controlled variables are held constant throughout the experiment (e.g., room temperature).
Identifying IV and DV
- IV examples: Color of a room, amount of sugar consumed, duration of exercise, type of exercise
- DV examples: Exam performance, mood, attention levels, memory test scores
- Various real-world scenario examples are provided for practice.
Research Settings
- Naturalistic settings are conducted in everyday environments.
- For example, comparing the long-term development of adopted children differs or children who had spent all their lives with their biological family Controlled settings occur in a structured environment.
- This allows for precise control of extraneous variables, supporting cause-and-effect analysis, although it might not completely mirror real life situations.
Advantages of Naturalistic and Controlled Settings
- Naturalistic research reflects real-life situations more accurately.
- Controlled research allows for simpler replication and the identification of cause-and-effect relationships.
Limitations of Naturalistic and Controlled Settings
- Naturalistic settings might have no control over extraneous variables, making it harder to establish cause and effect.
- Controlled research environments can produce unnatural behavior, resulting in reduced real-life applicability.
Selecting a Topic
- Before selecting a topic, a researcher should consider whether is practical and useful to undertake the research.
- Topics should be suitable subjects to study.
- Using keywords and literature search broadens potential scopes.
- Focus on narrower research titles using relevant scope limits and guiding questions.
- The topic should be appropriately specific based on time, place, population, viewpoint, and relationship dependent on research approach.
- Avoid overly broad statements. A brief title is ideal. ("A study of...")
Narrowing Down a Research Topic
- A broad topic can lead to too much information and difficulty in creating a framework or identifying suitable methods.
- The topic must be narrowed by considering various factors such as time, place, population, viewpoint, and relationship.
Narrowing Research Topic Examples
- Actual examples showcasing various narrowing factors for different discussion topics are provided.
Activity
- Students should brainstorm broad topics, choose two, and generate titles incorporating "what", "who", "where", "how" (exploring relationship, effects, etc).
Difficulties Conducting Research
- Difficulties encountering students and researchers include; Lack of cooperation from respondents, time management challenges, stress management issues, financial concerns, identification of proper research problems, and constructing properly worded research titles.
Types of Relationships in Research
- Correlational describes the size and direction of a relationship between variables (not causation).
- Causational indicates that one variable causes the other (often shown with controlled study experiments).
Correlation
- Correlation coefficients range between -1.00 to +1.00.
- No relationship has a coefficient of 0.
- Positive correlation exists when the variables increase together. (e.g., height and weight)
- Negative correlation exists when one variable increases as the other decreases. (e.g., number of absences and CGPA)
Correlation vs. Causation
- Theoretically, difference between correlation and causation is easy to identify.
- An action or occurrence can cause another.
- An action or occurrence can correlate with another without causing it.
- Establishing causation is harder in practice.
Why Correlation and Causation are Important
- Identifying the extent to which one variable relates to another may answer critical questions, such as those relating health to education levels, or the correlation of owning a pet for lifespan longevity.
- Identifying correlations may lead to insightful research that investigates whether an observed correlation represents causation.
Theories and Models – Inductive and Deductive
- Researchers utilize theories and models to guide research. Deductive reasoning starts with a theory, formulates hypotheses, and validates observations. Inductive reasoning stems from direct observation, establishing patterns, and forming conclusions.
Deduction and Induction Examples
- Deductive examples demonstrate theory to hypothesis.
- Inductive examples show hypothesis to theory.
Deductive or Inductive?
- Examples demonstrate the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning.
Research Ethics
- Research ethics provides a moral compass based upon acceptable behaviors.
- Codes of ethics are important and should be applied in academic work.
Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans
- A core concept in research ethics is to protect from harm, obtaining informed consent, voluntary participation, providing freedom to withdraw, confidentiality and anonymity, avoiding conflict of interests, and debrieifing when deception is used.
Writing and Disseminating
- Writing should be free from bias.
- Avoid fraudulent practices.
- Avoid plagiarism.
- Credit authors for their contributions.
- Study design, along with the resulting data, should be clearly shown to enable credibility assessment by the audience.
Information Sources for Research
- Information from various sources including news papers, books, journal articles, videos, magazines, blogs, websites, television, and film.
Information Sources (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary)
- Primary sources: first-hand information. e.g., personal documents, observations, events.
- Secondary sources: second-hand information, e.g., reviews, encyclopedias, summaries, saving significant time and effort.
- Tertiary sources: reports based on reports. e.g., articles in popular magazines, and websites, readily accessible but potentially less reliable/detailed.
Research Publications
- Examples of psychology journals that publish research articles.
Review Questions
- Three main methodologies/approaches of research.
- Three types of variables in experiments (IVs, DVs, controls).
- Comparison of naturalistic and controlled settings, with appropriate pros and cons, and advantages. Benefits to narrowing down a research topic.
- Outline the differences between correlation and causation, along with examples.
- Distinction between deductive and inductive reasoning, along with examples.
- List ethical principles to follow during research.
- Differentiate primary, secondary, and tertiary information sources.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of research methods for PSY 131, week one. Students will learn about the purpose of research, topic selection, and the challenges one might face when conducting research. Understanding these foundational aspects is crucial for academic success in any degree program.
