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A Guide to the Method Section: Design. Keys to this Section. The independent and dependent variables are identified and operationalized. The experimental design is appropriate to the aim and its use is appropriately justified.
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Keys to this Section • The independent and dependent variables are identified and operationalized. • The experimental design is appropriate to the aim and its use is appropriately justified. • There is clear identification and documentation of how ethical guidelines were followed.
Example Research Question/Study • Does listening to music impact memory?
Independent and Dependent Variable • Independent Variable: The characteristics that is being changed/manipulated. • Dependent Variable: The behavior that is impacted by the IV. • Example: IV = Music ; DV = Memory
What is Operationalization? • Operationalization is the process of defining variables into measurable and quantifiable items. • IV: Music = Playing Classical Music while reading a list of words. • DV: Memory = The amount of words recalled from a list words of words.
Your Turn… • Identify the IV and DV from your research. • Write them in operationalized form.
Groups within Research Treatment Group Control Group Group that the IV/treatment is not tested on. Example: Learning a list of words w/o in silence. Goal: is to provide a comparison. • Group that has the IV/treatment manipulated. • Example: Learning a list of words while listening to music. • Goal: See how the IV impacts behavior.
Groups within your Research • Group that has the IV/treatment manipulated. • Example: Learning a list of words while listening to music. • Goal: See how the IV impacts behavior. • Control Group: Group that the IV/treatment is not tested on. • Example: Learning a list of words w/o in silence. • Goal is to provide a comparison.
Your Turn… • Identify the treatment and control group within your experiment.
Types of Design Independent Sample Design Repeated Measure Design Each participant is tested under both the control and test group. Example: The participant learns a list in silence and is tested then learns a list with music and is tested. • Two separate groups are tested. The control group and the treatment group. • Example: One groups learns the list without listening to music, the other learns without music.
Reasons for Independent Sample Design +Avoids Order Effect – If one trial would impact the performance on the second trial. + Participants are less likely to guess the hypothesis of the study. + Less likely to bore participants. + Same material may be used with both groups. - Participant Variability – Differences between participant’s ability in groups may impact results.
Reason for Repeated Measure Design +Limits Participation Variability. +Requires fewer participants. -May lead to Order Effect. - Demand Characteristics: When participants guess the aim of the study and do not act naturally because they want to be helpful – or the opposite.
Controls • Blinds: Single or Double • Standardized briefing/instructions • Randomization • Placebo
Your Turn… • Identify which type of design you will use and explain why. (Strengths and limitations)
Writing a Consent Form • As part of my IB Psychology Internal Assessment, I am carrying out a test on… • This study will test… • Informed about the nature of the experiment • Right to withdraw at any time • Confidentiality • Anonymity will be protected • No harm (physical/mental) • Debrief & access to results • I give my consent to participate in this experiment • Name and Date
Briefing Notes • This will be what you say before and during your experiment. • Explain to your participants who you are, why you are there, what they will be asked to do, and explain their ethical rights. • Can you explain the aim of your study? Summarize… • Instructions for the study
Debriefing Notes • Explain to your participants what you expect to find,how they can learn about your findings, their right to withdraw their data, and how much you appreciate them and their teacher giving you time in their classroom. • You will read this after you have collected all data.
Keys to this sections • Relevant characteristics of the participants are identified. • The sample is selected using an appropriate method and the use of this method is explained.
Participant Characteristics • Number of Participants • Average Age • Number from each Gender You will collect this information when you are performing your experiment.
Sampling Techniques • Random: randomly selecting individuals from a population…Good chance that it will be representative. • Opportunity: Participants are used because they are available…May not be representative of whole population • Systematic: Selecting certain individuals with certain traits.
Keys to this Section • The procedural information is relevant, clearly described and is easily replicable. • Necessary materials have been included and referenced in the appendices. • Ethical guidelines are followed.
Materials • What will you need? Be specific. • What will your participants need? Be specific. • A bullet-point list is fine…
Gathering/Creating Materials • Create a plan for gathering your resources by Monday after break. • Create the questionnaire or lists that will be needed for your experiment. (Keep a copy to put in your appendices)
Procedures • Detailed step-by-step of how will perform your experiment. • Include reference to your use of scripts and inclusion of notification of ethical considerations.
