Methods in Psychological Research Instructor Marci Smith mercury

Methods in Psychological Research Instructor- Marci Smith mercury 1@uab. edu Office hours by appointment only

Syllabus/General Information n n Syllabus Resources: ¨ Textbook ¨ http: //owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/re source/560/01/ n Research Project/Groups

Scientific Report n n n Title page- what, who, and where (title, name, & institution) Abstract- a shortened version of the paper and should contain all information necessary for the reader to determine what the objectives of the study were, how the study was done, what results were obtained, and the significance of the results. Introduction- literature review which gives an overall picture of the state of research in a particular content area. Includes the research hypotheses.

Scientific Report n n Methods- all basic procedures used in conducting experiments, selecting subjects, and collecting data. Results- an accurate account of experimental findings. Discussion- considers whether the data obtained supports the hypotheses, explores the implications of the findings, and judges potential limitations. References- list of literature cited.

Objective of Psychological Research n Description- (Observational) ¨ n Systematic and unbiased account of observations. Prediction- (Correlational) ¨ Ability to predict behaviors ahead of time based on conditions linked to the behavior.

Objective of Psychological Research n Explanation- (Experimental) ¨ n Actually explain what causes a behavior. Control- (Clinical research) ¨ Application of what has been learned, use the new knowledge to effect change or improve behavior.

Psychology Methods Methodology- scientific techniques used to collect and evaluate data. n Psychologists rely on scientific methods, not commonsense psychology. n Commonsense psychology- nonscientific data gathering that shapes our expectations and beliefs and directs behavior. n

Why not commonsense psychology? n Commonsense psychology is constrained by: ¨ Source of information ¨ Inference Gambler’s Fallacy n Overconfidence Bias n

Scientific Method n The steps taken to gather and verify info, answer questions, explain relationships, and communicate this to others.

Scientific Method n Gather empirical data- observable, objective not just subjective. ¨ Laws- general scientific principles that explain our universe and predict events. ¨ Theory- set of general principles that attempt to explain and predict behavior or phenomena.

Good thinking/Data Collection Principles of the Scientific Method n Collection of data should be: ¨ Systematic ¨ Objective- open to new ideas and unbiased by personal beliefs ¨ Rational- logical n Parsimony- simplest defendable explanation is preferred, until proven incorrect.

Experimentation Principles of the Scientific Method n The process used to test a prediction (hypothesis). Involves manipulation of different variables to verify our prediction. n In order to experiment, the prediction must be testable: We need procedures for manipulating the setting (variables). ¨ The predicted outcome must be observable. ¨

Explanation Principles of the Scientific Method n Psychology experiment- controlled procedure in which at least two different treatment conditions are applied to subjects. We are observing how a certain behavior changes under different conditions. ¨ Random assignment- to ensure that groups are equivalent. ¨

Explanation Principles of the Scientific Method n Antecedent conditions- circumstances that come before the event or behavior we want to explain. When X… the outcome is Y. ¨ You cannot control all antecedent conditions but you can try to control all that you believe have an effect on the behavior being studied. ¨ Treatments- a specific set of antecedent conditions ¨ Many studies involve exposing some subjects to one set of treatments and another group of subjects to a different set of treatments. ¨

Procedure of Falsification Principles of the Scientific Method n Scientific conclusions are always uncertain, the more data that supports them the more confidence there is in their truth. n Hypotheses that have not been proven false are not necessarily true! ¨ The data shows… ¨ NOT, The data proved… n Modus tollens- statements may be proven false but can never be proven true.

Publicizing Results Principles of the Scientific Method Scientific knowledge is free. n Exchange of information through: n ¨ Journal articles ¨ Conferences ¨ Visiting speakers ¨ Seminars

Replication Principles of the Scientific Method n Should be able to repeat our procedures and get the same results again by: ¨ Gathering data objectively ¨ Following good thinking n We have more confidence in our results if they can be replicated.

Class Activity