Data analysis in psychological research Research Generating theories

Data analysis in psychological research

Research

Generating theories and testing them �Theory �Hypothesis �Falsification �which is the act of disproving a hypothesis or theory

Data Collection What to measure? �Independent variable � A variable thought to be the cause of some effect. In experimental research it is a variable that the experimenter has manipulated �Dependent variable � A variable thought to be affected by changes in an IV �Predictor variable: � A variable thought to predict an outcome variable. Alternate term for independent variable �Outcome variable: � A variable thought to change as a function of changes in a predictor variable. Synonymous with ‘dependent variable’ �Measurement error

Issues in data collection �Research Ethics �Informed consent �Confidentiality �Safety �Practical Issues �Rapport �Sensitive information � Handling identification �Data storage

How to Measure �correlational or cross-sectional research �where we observe what naturally goes on in the world without directly interfering with it �experimental research � where we manipulate one variable to see its effect on another � Tertium quid (confounding variables): A third person or thing of indeterminate character

Instruments �What to use and why? �Comparing instruments �Reliability �Validity �Sensitivity vs. specificity �Translation and cultural adaptation �Handling Demographic �As study variables �As confounding