Lesson 05.pptx PDF

Recap Scientific nature of the study of gender issues in psychology Steps of Scientific Method Identifying a gender-related research problem Quantitative and qualitative research methods Descriptive and experimental methods in quantitative research Descriptive research...

Recap Scientific nature of the study of gender issues in psychology Steps of Scientific Method Identifying a gender-related research problem Quantitative and qualitative research methods Descriptive and experimental methods in quantitative research Descriptive research methods: Surveys, correlational research, and observation.  Quantitative Feminist/ methods Gender Research Methods Qualitative methods  Descriptive methods Quantitative methods Experimental methods Ex Post Facto Studies Descriptive methods commonly used in Gender Research Surveys Correlational Descriptive studies Research Methods Observation Content Analysis  Content Analysis One of the most commonly used methods for assessing the impact of electronic media, literature, art, textbooks, and oral discussions. Content analysis is done keeping specific goals, objectives, themes, and constructs in mind. It is an approach for systematically categorizing and analyzing the content of the behavior or its related aspects or variables being studied.  The analysis may cover contents of live human behavior, books, journals, magazines, poetry, drama, movies, folktales, TV programs, school textbooks, and curricula even advertisements, etc.  The Procedure of Content Analysis The content of the behavior, or its related aspects or variables, being studied is systematically categorized and coded with reference to some theory. The analyst carefully observes and scans contents of live human behavior, etc. Once objective identification of specific characteristics of contents has been done, inferences are made and conclusions are drawn. Examples: Content analysis of TV programs was done to see gender differences in non verbal expression of emotion.  Some other descriptive methods Archival data Unobtrusive measures  The Use of Archival Data In the use of archival data information and data already stored in documentary form in archives are used as a source of evidence. Archives are places where data or information are stored. Archives can be public or university libraries, government offices, computerized databases, TV or radio libraries etc. Already existing records, documents, different forms of literature, newspaper items, photographs, movies, documentaries, biographies, autobiographies, hospital or police records etc are used as evidence of the phenomena of interest.  Unobtrusive measures Unobtrusive measure are a form of indirect observation and indirect ways of data collection. The subjects under study may not be present at the time of investigation. Information is gathered about the lifestyles, behaviors, and habits of the people being studied through indicators present in the surroundings.  Unobtrusive measures may be used as the sole source of evidence, or for supplementing or cross-checking information collected through direct observation. At times when direct observation is not possible, these measures may replace observation. Physical Traces are one of the sources of data in unobtrusive measures. Remains, remnants, fragments, objects, and products of past behavior are used as evidence.  Examples: information regarding the dress, jewelry, other bodily adornments, surgical procedures for, and lifestyles of women in the Indus Valley civilization Indus Valley Civilization  Products and Use traces Cues to the use or nonuse of objects and items can also be used as evidence e.g. wall chalking, or graffiti on walls of educational institutions can be used as indicators of how the people at the concerned locations think about the opposite gender. The products used by people also reveal Information about their habits and lifestyles e.g. cosmetic products used by men and women have been noted through a study of  Experimental Research The type of research that brings scientific status to psychology. It employs experimental method for finding evidence. Experimental method: uses experimentation for studying a phenomenon. Experiments are designed carefully in order to have carefully tested findings. Experimental design: The plan, structure or lay out of an experiment. In the experiment the variable of interest :independent variable is manipulated and the effect of this manipulation is studied. The main feature of experimentation is  When do we need to conduct experiments? When we have to test hypothesis, or When we have to test the impact of a treatment or program on behavior. Experiments are primarily used for investigating cause and effect relationships. Main components of experimental research AAhypothesis hypothesisabout about the thecausal causal relationship relationship Independent Independentvariable variable Dependent Dependent variable variable Manipulation Manipulationof of independent independentvariable variable Total Total control control over overextraneous extraneousvariables variables  Variables Independent Dependent Control Variable Variable Variable Independent Variable: (IV) The variable that the researcher hypothesizes to be the causal variable. The impact of IV is investigated in the experiment. This variable is manipulated in terms of kind or level. Dependent Variable: (DV) Dependent variable is a variable thought to be the consequence or effect of IV. It is the measure of behavior on which the impact of independent variable is being studied. Control variable: A potential independent variable that can have an impact upon the dependent variable; it has to be controlled so that it does not interfere with the findings about the impact of IV.  Logic of Experimental Research If there is a cause and effect relationship between the independent and dependent variable, then the manipulation of the independent variable will bring about a change in the value of the dependent variable. All other variables that can interfere with the findings have to be controlled in order to be sure of the findings. A conventional experiment uses two groups of subjects Experimental Group Groups in a Typical Experiment Control Group Experimental research may adopt two main formats Within- Subjects Design Experimental Design Between- Subjects Design  Example of experimental research on gender issues Although experimental research is used for investigating gender issues, it is not a method commonly preferred by gender researchers. Study of the impact of viewing aggressive behavior in cartoons on male and female children: Two groups of children, one male and one female, were allowed to watch a cartoon series containing frequent acts of aggression.  Their baseline level of aggression and indulgence in aggressive behaviors was measured before hand. The same were measured after the cartoon- viewing phase. Both groups showed an increase in the expression of aggression.  Advantages of Experimental Research The element of control gives edge to this approach, strengthening the status of psychology as science. We can be sure about the cause and effect relationship.  Disadvantages of Experimental Research The subjects may exhibit artificial behavior instead of natural behavior. Subjects may experience stress or pressure that may affect their behavior or performance. Experiment are expensive both in terms of time and money. Ethical issues: We can not deceive and keep the subjects in dark about reality; but if we disclose the nature and purpose of the experiment it may seriously affect the experimental procedure as well as the  Ex Post Facto Research It is a type of Quasi Experimentation, a form of Applied Research. Quasi Experimentation can be taken as “sort of experimentation”, not true experimentation. Quasi Experiments fit into the experimental framework, although not planned, initiated, or controlled by the experimenter. In such studies the independent variable occurs, or has occurred, naturally and the researcher studies the impact of the way it is done in a laboratory experiment. The basic difference between Ex Post facto research and Experimental research.