Research Methods - slides.pptx

Research Methods Goals and Methods This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC Learning Outcomes Describe the five principles of scientific thinking Demonstrate understanding of how psychologists describe behaviour Describe the methods used to study and predict...

Research Methods Goals and Methods This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC Learning Outcomes Describe the five principles of scientific thinking Demonstrate understanding of how psychologists describe behaviour Describe the methods used to study and predict and explain behaviour  Research Goals and Methods Four goals of scientific research. Describe, predict, explain, replicate Different methods used by psychologists. Case study – detailed description of person/group/phenomenon Qualitative Ideographic assessment limatations This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY  Research Goals and Methods Survey – describe large groups of children Nomothetic assessment Random selection Quantitative This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Neuroimaging Neuroimaging: a variety of techniques for investigating the brain in both humans and animals Structural Functional Snapshot of structure Time relative function computed tomography (CT) Functional MRI (fMRI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) positron emission tomography (PET) single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) near-infrared spectroscopic imaging (NIRSI) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC Neuroimaging Computed tomography (CT) Positron emission tomography (PET) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Diffusion tensor imaging Research Methods Study Designs This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC  Predicting Behaviour Correlational research: explore relationships between variable Correlation Correlation coefficient: magnitude of relationship Strength absolute value (.70 vs. -.70) al Designs Direction  sign (negative vs. Positive) Correlations ≠ Causality Direction of the relationship Alternative explanations Cross Sectional and Longitudinal Studies Cross-sectional study: variables assessed at same point in time Longitudinal study: variables measured at different points in time Retrospective longitudinal study: recall events Follow-back longitudinal study: reliance on objective data Mediator: explains how two variables are related Moderator – effects the direction or strength of the relationship between two variables Importance of mediators and moderators – may provide solutions Research Methods Study Designs This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC Experimental Designs Experimental designs Independent variable  manipulated Dependent variable  measured Random assignment Randomized controlled trial: test efficacy of treatment No-treatment groups unethical? Placebo effect Experimental Designs Treatment as usual group Open-label study Double-blind study Quasi-experimental – IV and DV but no random assignment Pretest-posttest study Threats to internal validity Experimental Designs A nonequivalent groups study is a more sophisticated quasi-experimental study in which researchers compare participants in treatment and control groups, but participants are not randomly assigned to these groups. Selection bias Single-subject study AB designs ABAB designs Multiple baseline design External validity Research Methods Study Designs This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC Meta-analysis Meta-analysis is a widely used statistical technique to combine the results of multiple research studies into an overall, numerical result. Effect size Calculate and interpret effect size Examine differences in different types of therapy Summary Scientists rely on empirical data to test falsifiable hypotheses that are based on broader theories. Empirical research is characterized by precision and replicability. Case studies reflect idiographic assessment that is useful for describing new disorders or treatments. Surveys reflect nomothetic assessment, to describe how larger groups of people. Researchers use neuroimaging techniques to provide images of the brain’s structure, functioning, and connectivity, respectively Summary Cross-sectional studies examine correlations between variables at the same point in time whereas longitudinal studies examine correlations between variables at different points in time. Mediators explain how two variables are related whereas moderators explain the conditions under which two variables are related. Experiments involve random assignment with at least one independent variable and allow us to infer causality Double-blind studies reduce biases in experiments. A meta-analysis is a statistical technique used to calculate an overall effect size for the treatment effect