Research Methods Outline PDF

Lesson Outline UNIT I: BASIC METHODS AND DESIGN IN RESEARCH STRATEGIES Theories are groups of ideas and propositions used to organize, describe, and explain an existing set of observations. Hypotheses are estimates about imminent phenomena. Acceptable research methods poss...

Lesson Outline UNIT I: BASIC METHODS AND DESIGN IN RESEARCH STRATEGIES Theories are groups of ideas and propositions used to organize, describe, and explain an existing set of observations. Hypotheses are estimates about imminent phenomena. Acceptable research methods possess: Reliability (produce consistent, replicable results) Validity (accurately measure what they are intended to measure) Research Methods Two methodological traditions Quantitative research focuses on objectively measurable data. Qualitative research examines nonnumerical data such as subjective experiences, feelings, or beliefs. Scientific method is a process that requires the use of objective data to determine the viability of theories. Sample is a set of people selected to reflect the overall population being studied. Random selection is the process of selecting a sample so that each individual in a population has an equal and independent chance of being chosen. Major Methods of Data Collection (Papalia and Martorell, 2014) Type Main Characteristics Advantages Disadvantages Self-report: diary, visual Participants are asked Can provide first-hand The participant may not reports, interview, or about a certain aspect of knowledge about a remember information questionnaire their lives; the questions person's life, attitudes, correctly or may distort might be highly or beliefs. Visual responses in a socially structured or more techniques (such as acceptable manner; how flexible, and the self- drawing, mapping, and a question is asked or by report can be verbal or graphing) avoid the need whom may influence the visual. for verbal skills. answer. Naturalistic People are observed in Provides a good Lack of control and observation their natural description of behavior observer bias. surroundings, with no without subjecting attempts to alter people to unnatural behavior. conditions that may alter behavior. Laboratory observation Participants are It provides better Observer bias and observed in the descriptions and more controlled situation can laboratory without any control than naturalistic be artificial. attempts to alter their observation because all behavior. participants are seen under same controlled conditions. Behavioral and Participants are tested Provides objectively Cannot measure performance on abilities, skills, measured information attitudes or other measures knowledge, while avoiding nonbehavioral competencies, or subjective distortions. phenomena and results physical responses. may be affected by extraneous factors. Prepared by: Karen Jann M. Aquino, RN, RPm, MA Psy and Vincent Jan Mikhael J. Esteban, RPm 1  Basic Research Design (Papalia and Martorell, 2014) Type Main Characteristics Advantages Disadvantages Case Study In-depth study of a Flexibility; provides a May not generalize to single individual. detailed picture of one’s others; Conclusions are behavior and not directly testable and development and can cannot show causation generate hypotheses. and effect. Ethnographic study In-depth study of a Can help overcome Subject to observer culture or subculture. cultural biases in theory bias. and research, as well as test the universality of developmental phenomena. Correlational study Attempt to find a It enables the prediction Cannot establish cause positive or negative of one variable based on and effect. relationship between another and can variables. generate hypotheses concerning causal relationships. Experiment A controlled procedure Establishes cause-and- Findings, particularly in which an effect relationships, is those that result from experimenter controls highly controlled, and laboratory research, the independent variable can be replicated by might not be applicable to determine its effect on another investigator, to settings outside the the dependent variable making it the most laboratory. may be conducted in the controlled laboratory laboratory or field. experiment. Groups and Variable (Papalia & Martorell, 2014) Experimental group in an experiment is the group that receives the treatment being studied. Control group in an experiment is a group of persons who are similar to the experimental group but do not receive the treatment being studied. Random assignment is the process of assigning participants in an experiment to groups so that each person has an equal probability of being placed in any group. Independent variable in an experiment is a condition over which the researcher has direct control. Dependent variable refers to the condition that may or may not change as the independent variable varies. In an experiment, a researcher manipulates the independent variable to determine how changes affect the dependent variable. A study hypothesis describes how the researcher believes the independent variable impacts the dependent variable. Research Designs for Studying Human Development (Papalia and Martorell, 2014; Shaffer and Kipp, 2012) Type Procedure Advantages Disadvantages Cross-sectional Data is collected from Can demonstrate Cannot establish age people of various ages at similarities and effects; hides individual the same time. differences between age variations; and can be groups; is speedy and influenced by cohort cost-effective; and has no effects. Prepared by: Karen Jann M. Aquino, RN, RPm, MA Psy and Vincent Jan Mikhael J. Esteban, RPm 2  attrition or repetitive testing issues. Longitudinal Data are gathered on the Can show age-related It is time-consuming and same individual or change or continuity; costly; it introduces people over time. prevent confounding age issues of attrition, and cohort effects. sample bias, and the consequences of repeated testing; and the results may only be valid for the cohort tested or the sample studied. Sequential Data are collected from Can avoid the It requires a large multiple cross-sectional disadvantages of both amount of time, effort, or longitudinal samples. cross-sectional and and analysis of very longitudinal studies. complex data. Microgenetic Children are observed Extensive observation of Extensive experience extensively over a changes as they occur given to stimulate limited time period when can reveal how and why change may be a developmental change changes occur. somewhat atypical and is thought to occur. produce change that may not persist over long periods. MOST IMPORTANT ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS (According to American Psychological Association, for children who participates in a research) 1. informed consent (consent freely given with full knowledge of what the research entails) 2. avoidance of deception 3. protection of participants from harm and loss of dignity 4. guarantees of privacy and confidentiality 5. the right to decline or withdraw from an experiment at any time 6. the responsibility of investigators to correct any undesirable effects, such as anxiety or shame. Three Principles to Guide researcher in resolving ethical dilemmas (Papalia & Martorell, 2014) Beneficence s the commitment to maximize potential benefits for participants while minimizing potential harm. Respect participants' autonomy and protect those who are unable to exercise their own decision. Justice means including diverse groups while remaining sensitive to any specific influence the research may have on them. References Book: Papalia, D. E., & Martorell, G. (2014). Experience Human Development (13th ed.). McGraw Hill Education, 2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121 Shaffer, D., & Kipp, K. (2012). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (9th ed.). Singapore: Wadsworth/ Cengage Learning Prepared by: Karen Jann M. Aquino, RN, RPm, MA Psy and Vincent Jan Mikhael J. Esteban, RPm 3