STEPS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Scientific method is a series of systematic and orderly steps

WE HAVE LEARNT THATBehaviour is any observable action made by

a living person or animal. It can be seen and measured

Psychology research aims to describe, predict, control and explain thoughts, feelings and behaviour

It collects empirical evidence that needs to be reliable

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand the 7 steps in psychological research using the scientific method

2. Understand the role of the Independent Variable (IV) and the Dependent Variable (DV)

3. Present the 7 steps in a flow chart

THE SCIENTIFIC METHODIt provides step-by-step, general directions to help us work through problemsIn order to describe behaviour, psychologists need to observe it and gather

data (from participants), then they can determine the underlying cause of the behaviour

To gather this data they need to carry out scientific (empirical) investigations. In the other sciences these are generally referred to as experiments where the researcher changes conditions (variables) to see the affect it will have

Research in psychology can be experimental or can be naturally occurring and merely observed

Research psychologists working all over the world use the same method - WHY?

THE 7 STEPS

STEP 1Identify the research problemWhat is your problem or topic of interest?Use research to find out more – has this already been researched?Become familiar with your topic of research interestRefine your ideas and propose a question

STEP 2Formulate a hypothesisA hypothesis is a testable prediction of the relationship between two or more events or characteristicsThe relationship between the Independent Variable and the Dependent VariableIndependent VariableThis is the variable that is controlled or manipulated by the researcher to determine if it has an affect on another variable. e.g. amount of sleep, amount of alcohol, type of musicDependent VariableThis is the variable that is observed or measured.It is the behaviour or response that the researcher is interested in e.g. number of errors made, level of relaxation

STEP 3Design a methodHow will the hypothesis be best tested?Which participants will be used?The responses from participants form the dataExperiment, Observation, Survey, Interviews, Rating Scales

STEP 4Collect the dataPlan participantsPlan collection techniques – what is best suited to research question?Is it questionnaires, observations, tests, interviews, physiological recordingsRaw data at this stage as it has not been analysed

STEP 5Analyse the dataSummarise, organiseraw data in a logical wayPut in tables and graphs using averages

STEP 6Interpret the dataWhat do the results mean?Make conclusions about the resultsHow valid and reliable are the results?

STEP 7Report the research findingsPrepare a reportIncludes details of background information, the method, the findings and how they were reportedSee the blank report handout

VARIABLES

THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLEThe variable (or change) that you are purposely changing

in the experiment EASILY REMEMBERED – It is what I change – the

INDEPENDENT VARIABLEIndependent variables sit on the X-axis when plotting

graphs

THE DEPENDENT VARIABLEThe variable that changes as a result of the Independent

variable Measured in some from during the experimentDependent variable goes high on the axis known as Y

when plotting graphs

ACTIVITYIn groups of 4 select one of the research questions on page 23, Activity 1.8. Make a poster to outline the steps that could be used to conduct scientific research on the topic. Present as a flowchart (see page 21 Figure 1.14)

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT?

What is the purpose of using a scientific method?

What is the dependent and independent variable?

What are the 7 steps to Psychological research?

HOMEWORK

Revision: Formative test next week