Lecture 2 – Chapter 2 Research is a Process of Inquiry

1. Lecture 2 – Chapter 2 Research is a Process of Inquiry

2. Chemist • Astrophysicist • Neuroscientist • Sociologist • Physician • Social Psychologist • Mathematician • Biologist • Criminologist • Molecular Biologist Whose research is more scientific?

3. ? 1. Idea Question That place they call the “Library” Observations Basic vs Applied Deductive/Inductive 2. Develop idea into hypothesis Theories & Models “If” “Then” 3. Design: procedures, stats, subjects etc FUN PART FUN PART 4. Experiment – collection of data Fun but HARD Fun but HARD 5. Data Analysis - Statistics Fun and not HARD 6. Interpretation: Develop new theory or support old Parsimony 7. Reporting Results: Class, scientific meeting, publication Scientific Method

4. Research Question • Do “lit” search • (300B!!!!) • 3. Has your question already been asked? • 4. What methods have already been used? 1. Idea Question? Use EBSCO HOST - Psych Info USE PUB MED - Medical Sciences Refine your research question.. Ramon Y Cajal

5. Scientific Method Deductive/Inductive 2. Develop idea into hypothesis Basic vs Applied “If” “Then” Theories & Models

6. Applied Research vs Basic Research

7. Applied Research • Generate info that can be applied directly to the solution to a “real world” problem • research on creating change • interventions, treatments • usually done outside the lab EX: CATCH Program: Behavioral Intervention Program

8. CATCH was created as a research project late • (1980’s - early 1990’s) • UCSD, Univ of Minnesota, Tulane Univ and • UTHSC at Houston • Purpose of the research: develop an elementary • school-based program to reduce the risk factors • related to cardiovascular disease

9. Basic Research • Gather general info (general laws) • Seek knowledge for its own sake • Not concerned with application • Usually carried out in a lab • “Confirmation” or “disconfirmation” of a theory Basic: What physiological mechanisms underlie the detection of lights of different wavelengths? What cells are most affected by a visual disease? Applied: How can I use different wavelengths to diagnose disease?

10. Basic Research (Can it happen???) vs Applied Research (Will it happen??) Which is more important??? External vs internal validity….will discuss in detail in later chapter

11. Theory: A set of assumptions (empirical data) that attempts to explain a phenomena Support Reject Modify NEVER PROVE!!!!! Testable Good Theory: Testable, predictions must be testable, falsification (Sir Karl Popper)

12. Empirical Observations = collecting data Facts of the Research Basis for Theories • set of assumptions • ideas and facts • formalized set of concepts • summarized/organized observations & inferences To explain & predict behavior

13. Empirical Observations = collecting data Is it All Observable Behavior??? Facts Children Playing Adults Interaction Physiological responses (HR, GSR) Rats eating Amounts of neurotransmitters vs Constructs Memory Intelligence Love Attitudes Emotions • Inferences: CONSTRUCTS • non observable • defined by us

14. CONSTRUCTS: Inferences we make memory Super ego ego id personality Reification of a construct: logical error when we confuse a fact with a construct

15. Deductive vs Inductive Top Down Bottom Up General Specific Specific General Based on facts make predictions about future observations Based on observations you make predictions

16. Top Down – Deductive Theory deductive theories Hypothesis observations confirm theory hypothesis Look for patterns observation Inductive theories Bottom Up - Inductive

17. ? Idea Question Develop idea into hypothesis Design: procedures, stats Subjects etc.. FUN PART FUN PART Experiment – collection of data Fun but HARD Fun but HARD Data Analysis - Statistics Fun and not HARD Interpretation: Develop new theory or support old Parsimony Reporting Results: Class, scientific meeting, publication Scientific Method

18. Levels of constraint… Design of your experiment

19. Types of Research (approach to gathering data) LOW • Nonscientific • Naturalistic Observation • Case Study • Correlational Research • Quasi-experimental Research • Experimental Research Level of Constraint HI Level of Constraint: control = more precision

20. Non Scientific: ex: Historians Doris Kerns Goodwin

21. Naturalistic Observation – Low constraint • The observation of subjects in their natural environment • The researcher imposes no limits or changes in the environment or behavior of the subjects • 1960: First recorded instance of tool making by nonhumans • 1964: Capable of planning (kidnapped baby in order to get • mother and the rest of the group to follow) • 1966: Polio and AIDS • 1974: Warfare: first record of violence of this type-rival group • was eradicated. • 1975: Cannibalism • 1987: Adoption • 1994: short-term monogamous relationships; Technology • transfer-Chimps from one community "modeled" the • tool making behavior of chimps in another community • 1995: medicate-eat plants-a medicinal plant believed to relieve • stomach pains or reduce internal parasites.

22. Case Study – Low constraint • The subject is in a moderately limiting environment • The researcher intervenes only slightly • Observe the participant’s response • An in-depth description of one subject, organization or event ex: medical field: Case of H.M. - H.M.: Epileptic Seizures - 1953, age 27 years - Bilateral medial temporal lobectomy -Oops..anterograde amnesia - Studied for 40 years

23. Low Constraint… H. M. can be considered the single patient that has provided the largest collection of data to the students of memory [Corkin,1984] [Milner,1968].

24. Correlational research – Constraint • Quantify the degree of relationship between two variable • Measurement procedure must be carefully defined and • precisely followed • No manipulation of variables – two sets of measurements in • the same subject then correlate ex. Is there a relationship between class attendance and grades? Dr. Sumaya’s hypothesis: the greater the attendance the higher the grade… CANNOT INFER CAUSATION!

25. Quasi–Experimental Research (Differential) – high constraint • Two or more preexisiting groups of subjects (variables) a are compared • Setting is highly constrained (controlled) • Measurement procedures carefully designed and precisely followed ex: survey data – attitude towards banning smoking ex: investigating the differences between 18 and 50 yr olds on sexual activity

26. Experimental Research – highest constraint “True Experiment” • Subjects are assigned without bias to the various groups or conditions in the study (random assignment!) • The setting is ALL about control • Measurement procedures carefully designed and precisely followed ex: want to investigate the effects of a drug on depression Can infer causation!

27. ? Idea Question Whose research is more scientific? What level of constraint? Develop idea into hypothesis • Depends on the method • Level of Constraint • Depends on your research • question Design: procedures, stats Subjects etc.. Experiment – collection of data Data Analysis - Statistics Interpretation: Develop new theory or support old Parsimony Reporting Results: Class, scientific meeting, publication Scientific Method