Introduction to Psychology: PSY100 Research Presentation PDF

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY: PSY100 AUA-CAS RESEARCH PRESENTATION PRESENTER: NAVIDA EDWARDS 1  OBJECTIVES Discuss the importance of research to psychology Explain the importance of the research process Understand the importance of...

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY: PSY100 AUA-CAS RESEARCH PRESENTATION PRESENTER: NAVIDA EDWARDS 1  OBJECTIVES Discuss the importance of research to psychology Explain the importance of the research process Understand the importance of analysing and reporting findings Summarise the importance of ethics in research in both humans and animals 2 INTRODUCTION 3  WHY IS RESEARCH IMPORTANT? The history of Psychology has shown the importance of understanding behaviour from different perspectives, to understand behaviour that centres on the mind(cognitive/mental) and the physiological (body). From this stance research brings to focus the importance of critical thinking and being a sceptic when it comes to information around us and how it is processed to be understood. 4  RESEARCH How do you know what you know to be true or factual? What allows you to trust information? What does it mean for information to be objective? 5 WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE? 6  RESEARCH Facts and Opinions 7  THE PROCESS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH How many of you are familiar with Gollum from lord of the rings? I want you to think of the Process of scientific research as this ring. It is continuous and in a circular motion. Let me demonstrate. 8 9  INDUCTIVE VERSUS DEDUCTIVE Theory Theoury Tentative Hypothesis Hypothesis Deductive Pattern TOP DOWN Observation Observation Confirmation/ Rejection Bottom Up The scientific method is based on creating hypotheses from theories and then testing those hypotheses. A theory is accepted 10 or rejected based on If the results are consistent with the theory. If the theory is supported from results it remains and is a working theory. If it is rejected it calls for more research and modified to make the necessary changes.  APPROACHES TO RESEARCH The goal of Psychology is to describe, explain, predict and change. Therefore, the approach to research varies based on the type of research and the questions surrounding it. Clinical or Case Studies This type of study involves an in-depth study of a single research participant with a rare characteristic or a specific group to generate rich data. Although it provides a large amount of information on an individual or specific group it is limited as the findings can only refer to a minority of the population. This type of study does not include generalized findings. 11  THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMEMBER- HENRY MOLAISON As he underwent surgery in an effort to help his seizures would ultimately work however it left him with a dense memory loss 12  APPROACHES TO RESEARCH Naturalistic Observation It is used to study behaviour in its natural environment where the observer cannot disturb their daily routine. However, it can be prone to observer bias. This weakness in the research approach can be aided through inter-rater reliability, where each observation is measured for reliability based on consistency. 13 Surveys APPROACHES TO RESEARCH This approach uses tests whether in the form of questionnaires, and interviews to sample a wide variety of behaviours from a large group of people in a short time. This approach although strong for generalizing the findings from a large group, their responses may not always be honest and they may tend to give a response inline with that they think the research wants. 14  APPROACHES TO RESEARCH Archival Research This approach uses documented information without actual participants looking for patterns or relationships. Although it has the benefit of minimal cost from no participant contact. The information is limited to what is available and leaves little room from the researcher and their scope. Further, there are no guarantees the type of information recorded and as such they may lack patterns or relationships. 15  APPROACHES TO RESEARCH Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Research Longitudinal approach uses data collected repeatedly over an extended period of time, in comparison to cross- sectional research, where a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. Evaluating the COVID-19 positivity rates among vaccinated and unvaccinated adolescents- Cross Sectional An example of this would be patients living with a disease/ Treatment and the long term effects-Longitudinal 16  ANALYZING FINDINGS Correlational Research Information analyzed calls for researchers to determine the degree of relationship between variables as one variable changes so does the other. It shows positive, negative and zero correlations are opposed to a cause and effect one. 17  ANALYZING FINDINGS Illusory Correlations This highlights a false correlations which occurs when people believe that relationships exist between two things when no such relationship exists. Along this vein, we have a thought that there is a relationship and set out to prove our notion to be true while ignoring any evidence which proves it to be wrong; this is known as confirmation bias. 18  ANALYZING FINDINGS Causality: Conducting Experiments and Using the Data The Experimental Hypothesis A working hypothesis is key when conducting research either through direct observation of the real world or after careful review of previous research. Therefore, the hypothesis is tested through an experiment. 19  ANALYZING FINDINGS Designing an Experiment. In the experimental condition participants are exposed to the independent variable. There are two main groups. In the Experimental Group they receives a treatment from that experiment. On the other hand the Control Group does not receive any. How to avoid experimenter bias? Single blind and double blind studies 20  ANALYZING FINDINGS Selecting and Assigning Experimental Participants Participants are the subjects of psychological research. A random sample assigns participants to either control or experimental group where each person has an equal chance to be selected. 21  ANALYZING FINDINGS 1.Interpreting Experimental Findings -What is the purpose of statistical analysis? 2.Reporting Research -Who is the target audience? 3. findings -Can this research be repeated by peers? What does the data collected mean? 22  ANALYZING FINDINGS Reliability and validity Reliability refers to the ability to consistently produce a given result. If an experiment is repeated can you obtain the same results? Why is this important? Validity refers to the measurements. Thee two terms are important to research to ensure the same experiment conditions to produce the same results despite who is conducting the research. 23  ETHICS ETHICAL GUIDELINES WHEN EXPERIMENTING RESEARCH ARE GOVERN WITH ETHICAL GUIDELINES TO ENSURE INTEGRITY OF EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS AS WELL AS SAFETY OF PARTICIPANTS. THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA) HAS PUBLISHED SPECIFIC GUIDELINES SURROUNDING CONFIDENTIALITY, INFORMED CONSENT, AND DECEPTION TO NAME A FEW. -WITH RESPECT TO HUMAN PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB). -WITH RESPECT TO ANIMAL INVOLVEMENT INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE (IACUC). 24 TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT: THE INFAMOUS SYPHILIS STUDY 25 CLOSURE-THINK ABOUT IT! REFLECT ON THE PURPOSE OF TODAY’S CLASS. IF A STUDENT WAS ABSENT WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM IF THEY ASKED WHAT HAPPENED IN CLASS TODAY? WHAT DID YOU WALK AWAY WITH? 26 THANK YOU! 27