Types of Studies Case Studies Surveys Naturalistic Observation
Types of Studies Case Studies Surveys Naturalistic Observation Correlational Studies Experiments
Case Studies Detailed analysis of a single or a few subjects (Ex. Freud’s Research) Pros Cons -Greater depth -Study things that would otherwise be impossible -Individuals may be atypical -Can’t Generalize! Phineas Gage Genie Visual
Surveys gather information on personal characteristics Population (The ENTIRE group) Representative Sample (Larger=Better) Pros -Can Measure attitudes, motives & opinions -Can get lots of data -If Sample representative, you CAN make generalizations about a population. Stratified Sampling (Race, Class, Gender Proportions) Random Selection (Everyone has = chance) Cons -Wording Effect: Wording influences Answers. - Relies on honesty of participants. Ex. Social Desirability: Political Correctness. - Small response rate not representative.
Alfred Kinsey Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953) � 350 questions on sexual history � 17, 000 participants between 19381956
Naturalistic Observation Observe behavior in a natural setting �Can’t impact the behavior of participants! (Otherwise a Field Pros Cons Experiment) -Results have real-world significance -Allows you to avoid ethical concerns. Don’t have to worry about the Hawthorne Effect: -Only descriptive in nature -No control Altering your behavior as result of being watched David Rosenham Participant Observation Paul Ekman
Correlational Studies • Trying to establish a relationship between 2 variables. • Helps Predict Behavior • Corelation≠Causation (Ex. Shoe Size & Intelligence) Scatterplot 1 Shows a Negative Correlation As one variable ↓, the other ↑ Regression Line Y’=a+bx Scatterplot 2 Shows a Positive Correlation Both Variables Move Together Closer points=stronger correlation CC=-. 63 CC=+. 79 Correlational Coeffecient: Shows Strength of Correlation No Correlation Perfect Positive Perfect-1 ----------0 ----------1 Negative Correlation
Experiments Limits Participant Bias Only way to establish Causation!!! Subjects selected (Random or Stratified) from Population. Con: Hawthorne Effect Subjects should be randomly assigned to either group Can be given a placebo. Controls for psychological effects. Control Group (No Ind. Var. ) Experimental Group (Indp. Var. ) Dependent Variable Single-Blind: Subjects uninformed of group. Double-Blind: Researchers also uninformed. Limits Experimenter Bias The IV is what you expect to cause a change in the DV.
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