Descriptive Methods Ethical Research Psych 231 Research Methods

Descriptive Methods & Ethical Research Psych 231: Research Methods in Psychology

Correlational Methods Measure two (or more) variables for each individual to see if the variables are related n Used for: n – Predictions – Reliability and Validity – Evaluating theories n Problems: Can’t make casual claims

Causal claims n We’d like to say: – variable X causes variable Y n To be able to do this: – The causal variable must come first – There must be co-variation between the two variables – Need to eliminate plausible alternative explanations

Causal claims n Directionality Problem: – Airplanes and coffee spills – Happy people sleep well • or is it that sleeping well when you’re happy? n Third variable problem: – Do Storks bring babies? • A study reported a strong positive correlation between number of babies and stork sightings

Theory 1: Storks deliver babies

Theory 2: underlying third variable

The experimental method Manipulating and controlling variables in laboratory experiments n Must have a comparison n – At least two groups (often more) that get compared – One groups serves as a control for the other group n Variables – Independent variable - the variable that is manipulated – Dependent variable - the variable that is measured – Control variables - held constant for all participants in the experiment

The experimental method n Advantages – – Precise control possible Precise measurement possible Theory testing possible Can make causal claims

The experimental method n Disadvantages – Artificial situations may restrict generalization to “real world” – Complex behaviors may be difficult to measure

Ethical research n Two basic categories of ethical concerns: – need to consider the rights of our participants in our research – need to behave ethically as scientists and practitioners

Ethical research n Consider ethics at each step – What measurement techniques will be used – How are participants selected – What methods may be used on the participant population – What design is appropriate – How are the data analyzed – How are the results reported

Using humans in research n For the most part the researcher has the power: • you know what is going to be done to the participants • participants may feel like they have to do it

APA’s code of ethics Basic courtesy n Institutional review board approval n Informed consent n

Informed consent n Information to allow a person to decide if they want to participate – – Basic purpose of the study Risks involved Benefits involved Rights to refuse or terminate participation

APA’s code of ethics Basic courtesy n Institutional review board approval n Informed consent n Avoiding deception n

Using deception in research n Passive deception – Witholding information about the study n Active deception – Deliberately misleading participants

Using deception in research Avoid it when possible n When not possible – won’t work without it n – Make sure that you are up front with all possible risks – Potential results must be worth it – Must debrief participants as soon as possible (either right after participation or as soon as project is over)

Using deception in research n Alternatives to deception – Role-playing – Simulation studies – “honest” experiments

APA’s code of ethics Basic courtesy n Institutional review board approval n Informed consent n Avoiding deception n Freedom from coercion n Protection from harm n

APA’s code of ethics (cont. ) Debriefing n Confidentiality n Costs vs. Benefits n

Costs/Benefits analysis n Costs: all potential risks to the participants – Physical harm – Psychological harm – Loss of confidentiality n Benefits: the “good” outcomes – Direct benefits to participants – Benefits to knowledge base – Benefits to world at large

Ethical responsibility to science Dirty tricks (this will get you thrown out) n Questionable tricks (these are a little fuzzier, but be wary) n Neat tricks (accepted as okay, and sometimes necessary) n

Ethical responsibility to science n n n n Fabrication of results DT Little or no attempt to minimize demand biases QT Reformulating your theory as you go NT Falsifying credentials DT Plagiarism DT Little or no attempt to minimize confounds QT Deliberately hiding (significant) errors in published work DT Little or no attempt to minimize demand characteristics QT

Ethical responsibility to science n Throwing out data QT or DT depending on situation (reason for throwing out)? ? n Reorganizing order of report of experiments NT Violations of underlying statistical assumptions QT Strategic graphing of the data QT Duplicate publications (presented as new) DT Selective reporting of the results QT Leaving out some bad experiments (not bad results) NT n n n

Using animals in research n Why use animals in research? – Same building blocks (e. g. , nervous systems) – Control • often we can’t control the relevant past experiences of our human subjects, but we can with animals • easier to control certain experimental factors with animals – Irreversible and/or harmful effects

Using animals in research n Why use animals in research (cont. )? – Some unique, special characteristics – Simpler systems – May allow you to focus on particular variables (IV’s and DV’s), easier to do the experiment without a lot of complex interactions

Using animals in research n But animals and humans are different – Well, there are strong similarities • evolution - common ancestry - as a result, things may work in similar ways – But, we do need to be aware that there are differences, and always keep that critical eye, think of alternative explanations

Animal ethics: What rights do animals have? n If animals are so similar to humans, then shouldn’t they have similar rights that humans have? Isn’t it unethical to do things to them that we wouldn’t do to ourselves? There is no simple answer, no clear right or wrong. Each individual must decide for themselves. n However, animal research has certainly helped our (humans) lives n

Next time n Exam 1 is one week away. n Review chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, & 7