Research

Ann Benson

Have you ever been involved in research?

• Have you ever received a phone call and someone asked your candidate choice in a future election?

• Or, has anyone called and asked you what type of cereal you eat?

• The experience of having someone ask your choice or opinion is called taking a “survey.”

Other Forms of Research

• Behavioral Observation• Case Study• Correlation• Experiment

Behavioral Observation

• Organized method of watching• Recording frequency of target behavior• Observe entire set of subject behavior• Observer has no interaction with the subject

or the environment

Case Study

• Summative, describing one person, situation, animal

• Can provide ideas for future research

Correlations• Measure the strength of a relationship• Positive correlation: Frequency of hot days

and frequency of ice cream bought• Negative correlation: Frequency of hot days

and decline in purchase of hot chocolate

• Correlations do not prove cause and effect• Experiments focus on cause and effect

Experiments• Cause and effect• Strict manipulation of factors• Scientific method

www.fickr.com/photos/wryer/79670441/

Scientific Method

Step One

•Develop a general question

•Discuss and consider the question and narrow down to one specific concept

Step Two

•Design experiment to study identified concept (identify independent and dependent factors)

•Remember control for extraneous factors and manipulate the independent variable and measure the dependent variable

Step Three

•Analyze data and draw conclusions

Do we cease conducting an experiment after we secure data one time?

Microsoft 2007 Clipart

Yes, repeat, repeat, . . .

• Repetition of the original experiment is necessary

• We compare repeated experimental data to decide if the original data is consistent or to provide us with information as to how to tweak the original experimental design.

References

• Santrock, John W. (2008). Life-Span Development, McGraw-Hill.

• www.fickr.com/photos/wfryer/79670441• Microsoft 2007 Clipart