Psychology Unit One Psychological Research Objectives List describe

Psychology, Unit One Psychological Research

Objectives List, describe and apply the 5 basic methods of research Understand importance of ethics in human research

Psychology A “soft science” 2 foundations of psych 1. Involves science- scientific method, research, and hard facts 2. Also involves philosophyseeks to explain that which cannot be proven

5 Basic Methods of Research 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Naturalistic Observation Case Studies Surveys Correlational Research Experimental Research

Naturalistic Observation Method- behavior is observed in its natural environment, usually secretly Pros- firsthand info, behavior is natural and uninfluenced Cons- if observed is known to be observing, behavior may be altered; observer’s record of behavior may be biased

Case Studies Method- behavior of one person is studied in depth Pros- great deal of detailed descriptive information Cons- case(s) studied may not be representative of the whole; observer bias may be a problem, time-consuming and expensive

Surveys Method- a large # of people are asked a standardized set of ? s Pros- a huge amt of data can be collected quickly and inexpensively Cons- sampling bias, poor ? s=poor answers, accuracy depends on accuracy of participants

Correlational Research Method- uses stats to examine the relationship between 2+ variables Pros- clarifies relationship that couldn’t be determined in other methods; allows prediction of behavior Cons- shows relationship, but doesn’t show cause and effect

Experimental Research Method- 1+ variable is manipulated and the effect of that manipulation on other variables is studied Pros- shows cause and effect relationships between variables Cons- lab setting changes behavior; unexpected variables may skew results; dealing w/ multiple variables is difficult

Ethics In humans: the APA (American Psychological Association) says: Subject must be clearly informed of nature of research Informed consent must be documented Subject cannot be deceived regarding risk Deception about goals of research can only be used when integrity of research is at risk.

Exit Ticket Which research method will show relationship between variables, but not cause and effect? 2. Which research method, if observer is unseen, may result in most natural behavior? 3. Which ethical rule do you find most important? Why? 1.