Upload
bertha-summers
View
217
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Population & Sample
• All research is aimed towards a particular population– The larger group that the results should apply
to
• The people you actually study are called your sample– The sample MUST reflect the larger population!
Random Sample
• Sample should be random!– Best representation– Low bias
• Both on your part and/or your subject’s part!
• A sample is random if everyone in your population has an equal chance at being selected
• How can you ensure random sampling?
Observation Methods
Experimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental Research
There are 5 major methods used to collect data in psychological
research:
Case StudiesCase StudiesCase StudiesCase Studies
SurveysSurveysSurveysSurveys
Correlational ResearchCorrelational ResearchCorrelational ResearchCorrelational Research
Naturalistic Naturalistic ObservationsObservationsNaturalistic Naturalistic
ObservationsObservations
Observation Methods
Experimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental Research
Involve the direct manipulation of one factor to better determine its effect
Advantages• allows cause-effect conclusions• control of extraneous variables
Disadvantages• artificial situations may not
represent natural events• lack of generalizability
Observation Methods
Independent Variable: Variable the experimenter is manipulating (has control over)
Dependent Variable: Variable the experimenter is measure (no control over)
Experimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental Research
EXAMPLE
• Dr. Duco wants to examine whether a new drug increases the maze running performance of older rats. Just like aging humans, older rats show signs of poorer memory for new things. Dr. Duco teaches two groups of older rats to find a piece of tasty rat chow in the maze. One group of rats is given the new drug while they are learning the maze. The second group is not given the drug. One week after having learned the maze he retests the rats and records how long it takes them to find the rat chow.
• Independent Variable?
• Dependent Variable?
A researcher wanted to study the effects of sleep deprivation on physical coordination. The researcher selected 25 year-old male college students and deprived some of the subjects to either 24, 36, or 45 hours of sleep.
Independent Variable?
Dependent Variable?
EXAMPLE
• Extraneous Variables: any other factor that might affect the dependent variable that the experimenter did not account for.
Experimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental Research
EXAMPLE
• A researcher wanted to assess whether mood influenced people's memory. The researcher hypothesized that positive moods would lead to greater memory performance than would a negative mood state. On Monday the researcher had 50 subjects learn a list of nonsense syllables and then watch a very humorous comedy film. Their recall of the list of syllables was then assessed. On Tuesday the researcher had a second group of 50 subjects learn the same list of nonsense syllables and then watch an upsetting documentary on World War II. Their recall of the list was then assessed after having watched the film.
• Extraneous Variables?
EXAMPLE
• A researcher wanted to see whether a new way of teaching English was superior to a more traditional approach. The researcher selected two Thursday night classes at a local community college. In one class the instructor used a traditional method, the second instructor used the newer approach. The researcher then assessed students language ability after they had completed the program.
• Extraneous Variable?
• Control Group: Serves as the baseline.
Untreated or unexposed to some procedure and then compared with treated subjects in order to validate the results (not manipulated)
• Experimental Group: contains the treated subjects in the experiment
(manipulated)
Experimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental ResearchExperimental Research
EXAMPLE
• I believe orbitz gum helps people quit smoking
What two groups would I form for my experiment?
Independent Variable? Dependent? Extraneous?
Observation MethodsNaturalistic Naturalistic
ObservationsObservationsNaturalistic Naturalistic
ObservationsObservationsInvolve observing behavior as it unfolds in a natural settingAdvantages
• behaviors are spontaneous/natural• inexpensive
Disadvantages• observer bias & selective attention• time consuming• Hawthorne effect
Observation Methods
Case StudiesCase StudiesCase StudiesCase Studies
Involve intensive examination of a single person or group
Advantages• deep understanding of subject• allows studies of rare behaviors
Disadvantages• difficult to generalize—conclusions may only apply to that particular person or group
Observation Methods
SurveysSurveysSurveysSurveys
Involve asking people questions about their beliefs and behaviors
Advantages• allows study of difficult-to-
observe behaviors, thoughts and feelings
• easy to distribute to large groupsDisadvantages
• people who respond may not be representative (volunteer bias)• responses may be biased or untruthful
Ways to Observe Change Over TimeLongitudinalLongitudinal
(p. 309)(p. 309)LongitudinalLongitudinal
(p. 309)(p. 309)
Observe one group of participants over an extended period of time
Advantages• enables researchers to see how individuals change over time
Disadvantages• time-consuming & expensive• risk of drop-outs
Ways to Observe Change Over Time
Cross-SectionalCross-Sectional(p. 309)(p. 309)
Cross-SectionalCross-Sectional(p. 309)(p. 309)
Compares people in different age groups all at one time
Advantages• less time-consuming
Disadvantages• differences may not be due to age or development, but due to other factors such as era
All Methods Work to Help Determine…
CorrelationCorrelation the extent to which two or more variables are associated with one another.
If two variables are highly correlated, it means that in the presence of one variable, there is a high likelihood that theother variable will also be present.
Correlation = Causation?
So…If two variables are highly correlated can we determine a cause-
and-effect relationship between them?
Variable A: poor attendance
Variable B: poor grades
Correlation
Variable A could cause variable B.
Poor attendance could cause people to miss tests and homework, and so they end up getting bad grades.
Correlation
Variable B could cause variable A.
The frustrations of poor grades might cause people to decide not to go to school.
CorrelationOr a third variable could cause A and B.
A person might have a full-time job that causes them to miss school and not do their homework.
Correlation vs. Causation
Violence
&
Ice Cream Sales
Or is there a 3rd Variable?
Correlation vs. Causation
• It’s important to remember that correlation does NOT equal causation!
• Always question the initial conclusion research might lead you to believe!
“Floss more, live longer”
“Lack of church attendance common denominator in families with ADHD kids.”
Correlation Causation
The only way to determine a cause-and-effect relationship is to carry out a
laboratory experiment!
The variables are controlled in these experiments