Psychological Research Methods chapter2

Studying Psychological Research

• Psychological research is important to understand how people think and behave.
• Psychologists use the scientific method to investigate and gather information about human behavior.
• Pseudo-psychology (pseudoscience) does not use the scientific method.
• There are three main approaches to research:
  • Descriptive Studies: Describe behaviors but don't explain why they occur.
  • Correlational Research: Examine the relationships between variables.
  • Experimental Research: The only method that can establish causation (cause and effect).
• There are various types of descriptive studies:
  • Case Study: A description of a single individual based on observation and psychological testing.
  • Observation: Observing and recording behavior.
  • Surveys: Collecting data by asking participants questions.
• Case Study is useful for rare behaviours but can't be generalized to everyone or determine cause and effect.
• Observational studies aim to obtain a representative sample using random sampling and avoid influencing the subject's behavior.
• Naturalistic Observation: Observing organisms in their natural environment.
• The Hawthorne Effect: People's behavior changes simply because they know they are being watched.
• Psychological research follows a specific scientific method involving theory, hypothesis, and empirical research.
• A theory is an explanation that integrates principles, organizes and predicts behaviors, or events.
• A Hypothesis is a testable prediction often implied by a theory.
• Researchers use variables to test hypotheses.
• Independent Variable (IV): The variable being manipulated or changed by the researcher.
• Dependent Variable (DV): The variable being measured or observed in response to the IV.
• An operational definition is how researchers choose to measure variables, which might vary depending on the study.
• In research, samples are selected from a population to be studied.
• Random selection aims to pick a representative sample of the population.
• Sampling bias occurs when the chosen sample does not accurately reflect the entire population.
• Researchers use experimental and control groups to test the impact of the IV on the DV.
• The experimental group is exposed to the manipulated variable (IV).
• The control group is not exposed to the manipulated variable.
• Random assignment is a method of assigning subjects to groups to ensure that each subject has an equal chance of being assigned to either the experimental or control group.
• A placebo is a fake treatment used as a control in research, and receiving any treatment can have effects.
• Statistical analysis is used to analyze the results of psychological research.
• Inferential statistics allow researchers to draw conclusions about the data.
• A p-value indicates the probability that the results of an experiment were not due to chance. A lower p-value indicates a higher likelihood that the results were influenced by the IV.
• Peer review involves sharing research findings with the scientific community for evaluation and scrutiny.
• Replication of research projects helps to ensure reliability and validity of findings.
• Ethical guidelines are crucial in psychological research, ensuring the rights of participants.
• Research Ethics Boards (REB) evaluate research to protect participants rights.
• Ethical guidelines include:
  • Obtaining informed consent: Participants provide permission to participate in the study after understanding its risks and benefits.
  • Protecting participants from harm and discomfort.
  • Confidentiality of participants' information.
  • Voluntary participation.
  • Transparency and debriefing - Revealing any withheld information to participants after the study is complete.
• Research with non-human animals also follows ethical guidelines:
  • Only justified if it contributes to understanding fundamental biological principles or knowledge that can benefit animals and humans.
  • Used only when alternative samples have failed.
  • Employing humane methods.
  • Limiting pain and distress.

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of psychological research, including the scientific method and various research approaches. Learn about descriptive studies, correlational research, and experimental methods, along with their strengths and limitations. Enhance your understanding of how psychologists gather and interpret data on human behavior.