Research MethodsResearch Methods
Naturalistic ObservationsNaturalistic Observations
AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages
SurveySurvey
AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Case-StudyCase-Study AdvantageAdvantage DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Self-fulfilling Prophecy-
Experimental MethodExperimental Method AdvantagesAdvantages
Can determine cause Can determine cause (independent variable) and effect (independent variable) and effect (dependent variable) (dependent variable)
DisadvantagesDisadvantages
The Scientific Method-The Scientific Method- Seven Seven Steps in an ExperimentSteps in an Experiment
1.1. ASK Question & Form a ASK Question & Form a HypothesisHypothesis
• Example: Does Ritalin help children Example: Does Ritalin help children with ADHD?with ADHD?
• Hypothesis- Ritalin does help reduce Hypothesis- Ritalin does help reduce negative classroom behaviors.negative classroom behaviors.
Scientific Method Cont.Scientific Method Cont.
2. Identify the treatments 2. Identify the treatments & define terms& define terms
• Independent variable Independent variable (IV)-(IV)-
• Dependent variable Dependent variable (DV)-(DV)-
• Extraneous/Con-Extraneous/Con-founding Variables-founding Variables-
• PlaceboPlacebo--
Example:Example: IV- amount of IV- amount of
RitalinRitalin DV- negative DV- negative
classroom classroom behaviors behaviors
Scientific Method Cont.Scientific Method Cont.3. Choose Subjects3. Choose Subjects
• random selection-random selection-
4. Assign Subjects Randomly to 4. Assign Subjects Randomly to GroupsGroups
• Experimental Group-Experimental Group-
• Control Group-Control Group-
Scientific Method Cont.Scientific Method Cont.
5. Manipulate5. Manipulate• Single-Blind, Double-Blind, or Single-Blind, Double-Blind, or
No-Blind?No-Blind?• Pros of Double-Blind- reduces Pros of Double-Blind- reduces
experimenter biasexperimenter bias
Scientific Method Cont.Scientific Method Cont.
6. Measure- actually conduct the 6. Measure- actually conduct the experimentexperiment
7. Analyze the results using 7. Analyze the results using statisticsstatistics
ExampleExample: :
ADHD children given placebo showed ADHD children given placebo showed 9.8 negative behaviors/30min. 9.8 negative behaviors/30min.
ADHD children given ritalin showed 4.8 ADHD children given ritalin showed 4.8 negative behaviors/30min.negative behaviors/30min.
CorrelationsCorrelations
Surveys, Natural Observations, Surveys, Natural Observations, & Case-studies can determine & Case-studies can determine correlationscorrelations
Correlation indicates a Correlation indicates a relationship between variablesrelationship between variables
Ex: Smoking & Cancer, High Ex: Smoking & Cancer, High School GPA & College GPA, School GPA & College GPA, Moon & Odd BehaviorMoon & Odd Behavior
Positive v. Negative Positive v. Negative CorrelationsCorrelations
PositivePositive- variables move in - variables move in same direction (both increase or same direction (both increase or decrease)decrease)
NegativeNegative- variables move in - variables move in opposite directionopposite direction
Identify the variables and if the correlation is positive or negative
When it is hot outside more ice cream is sold.
A group of over weight individuals noticed that the more they went to the gym, their weight decreased.
The more a person flosses the fewer cavities they have.
Tall people tend to have larger shoe sizes.
Correlation Coefficent number that indicated the
STRENGTH of the relationship between two variables
It is a number between (+1.0) and (-1.0)
The closer the number to (+1) or (-1) the stronger the correlation
0= no correlation
Code of EthicsCode of Ethics
The APA code of ethics for The APA code of ethics for psychologists to follow when psychologists to follow when doing research or counselingdoing research or counseling
Ethical GuidelinesEthical Guidelines
Signed Consent & volunteersSigned Consent & volunteers Confidentiality Confidentiality Experiments are not approved Experiments are not approved
unless any potentially damaging unless any potentially damaging effects can be eliminated or effects can be eliminated or counteractedcounteracted
DebriefingDebriefing- explaining the purpose - explaining the purpose and method of the experiment asking and method of the experiment asking the subjects their feelings about the subjects their feelings about participatingparticipating
Rights of animalsRights of animals
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