Chapter 2: Research Methods in I/O Learning Objectives

1. Chapter 2: Research Methods in I/O • Learning Objectives • Understand the empirical research cycle. • Know the relative advantages and disadvantages of the laboratory experiment, quasi-experiment, questionnaire, and observation research methods. • Understand meta-analysis and qualitative research methods. • Explain the statistical concepts of central tendency and variability. • Understand the concept of correlation and its interpretation. • Have an awareness and appreciation of the ethical issues associated with I/O psychological research. • Understand the difference between academic-based and practitioner-based research.

17. Chapter Summary • Research is a means by which I/O psychologists understand issues associated with people at work. •The four primary research methods used by I/O psychologists are experiments, quasiexperiments, questionnaires, and observation. •The four primary research methods differ in their extent of control (potential for testing causal relationships) and realism (naturalness of the research setting). •Meta-analysis is a secondary research method that is useful in integrating findings from previously conducted studies. •I/O psychologists measure variables of interest and apply statistical analyses to understand the relationships among the variables. •All psychological research is guided by a code of ethics that protects the rights of research participants. •Research is conducted in both academic (university) and applied (organizational) settings, but usually for different purposes. •As a profession, I/O psychology has a broad base of knowledge derived from both academic and applied research. •There are cross-cultural differences in both people’s willingness to serve as research participants and their responses.