110 likes | 228 Views
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 Involves science- scientific method, research, and hard facts
E N D
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 • Involves science- scientific method, research, and hard facts • Also involves philosophy- seeks to explain that which cannot be proven
5 Basic Methods of Research • 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? • Which research method, if observer is unseen, may result in most natural behavior? • Which ethical rule do you find most important? Why?