Research in Humans II Lauren Potter – l.m.potter@hw.ac.uk Marty Bonus – m.g.bonus@ed.ac.uk

1. Research in Humans II Lauren Potter – l.m.potter@hw.ac.uk Marty Bonus – m.g.bonus@ed.ac.uk

2. Module Aims • The aim of this module is to introduce you further to the principles of scientific research and experimental techniques • Psychology as a process – not just a collection of interesting stuff

3. Overview of Research in Humans II • Week 1 Introduction, Projects • Week 2 Data Collection - The Theory • Week 3 What is data?

4. Week 1 - Today • Announcements and online stuff • Lecture: What is a research project? • Introduce module project • Meet your group and discuss projects briefly

5. Important Announcement • Sports Scientists have a practical NEXT week • Sports Hall 2 • Groups 1-6 from 11-12 • Groups 7-11 from 12-1 • Sports Kit

6. Name Group Time Archer Ben 1 11am - 12pm Johnstone Rebecca 1 Ramsay Darren 1 Ashraf Hassan 2 11am - 12pm Keenan Rory 2 Ross Mark 2 Bell Kyla 3 11am - 12pm Liggett Steven 3 Saunders Peter 3 Berry Iain 4 11am - 12pm McBeath Ashley 4 Saville Alasdair 4 Briggs Ryan 5 11am - 12pm McDonnell Rowan 5 Schweikert Paula 5 Cox Alexander 6 12pm - 1pm McEachen Danny 6 Sherman Duncan 6 Downie Stacey 7 12pm - 1pm Millar Keith 7 Shirley Jordan 7 Dunnett Gayle 8 12pm - 1pm Mitchell Nicole 8 Sidgwick Antonia 8 Fergusson Iona 9 12pm - 1pm Murphy Liam 9 Telford Jacqueline 9 Hislop Euan 10 12pm - 1pm Murphy Ryan 10 Third Stephanie 10 Jackson Katherine 11 12pm - 1pm Poole Nicola 11 Wood Gregor 11

7. Practical Information • This is not optional • You MUST respond to the email you’ll receive from the 3rd year student you’ll participate with • You have received an email about this • **Sports Scientists are not responsible for the Psychology project**

8. Online Material • WebCT is not being used for this module • Instead, all the information is on the COURSE website • http://www.bio.hw.ac.uk/teaching/ • Select ‘Level 1 Modules’ • Both username and password: stockholm • Ignorance or “it didn’t work” is NOT an excuse

9. What is a Research Project?

10. Step 1: Identify Research Question • Select a general topic • Review literature in that area • Common sources of ideas • Common mistakes

11. Step 2: Convert Research Idea into Specific Hypothesis • A hypothesis is a statement describing the relationship between two or more variables • A hypothesis must: a) make a positive statement b) be testable c) be refutable

12. Step 3: Define and Measure Variables • The variables identified in a research hypothesis must be defined in a manner that makes it possible to measure them by some form of empirical observation. • Validity and reliability of measurements. Scales (nominal/ordinal), modality (self-report, physiological-heart rate monitor, behavioural).

13. Step 4: Select a Research Strategy • The choice of research strategy is determined by one of two factors: a) The type of question you asked; questions about the existence of a relationship vs. questions about causes or why there is a relationship b) Ethics and equipment constraints can limit your choice of research strategy.

14. Research Strategies • Descriptive strategy: measures a variable as it exists naturally e.g. A survey. • Correlational strategy: measures 2 variables for each individual in order to evaluate the relationship between the two variables. Aim is to establish and describe a relationship. It does not infer causation

15. Research Strategies • Experimental strategy: aim is to establish the existence of and demonstrate a cause-effect relationship between two variables. • The researcher must manIpulate one variable (Independent variable) while observing or measuring a second variable(dependent variable). • The purpose is to see if manipulating the independent variable causes changes to occur in the dependent variable. Also, all other variables must be controlled to ensure that they do not influence the two variables under examination.

16. Step 5: Select a Research Design • Within-subjects design: Two sets of scores obtained from same sample. E.g. anxiety scores pre and post exercise. • Between-subjects design: two sets of scores obtained from 2 different samples, e.g. verbal skills test given to a group of males and compared to a verbal skills test given to a group of females. • Mixed design: a between–subjects factor (independent variable) and a within-subjects factor; e.g. anxiety scores pre and post exercise in males and females. • Single-subject design

17. Step6: Ethics • Voluntary and informed consent • Reasonable risk in relation to benefits • Confidentiality and anonymity • Deception • De-briefing • Vulnerable participants e.g. children. • Discrimination. • Financial inducements • Scientific Integrity • Plagiarism :

18. Step 7: Data Collection • Participant characteristics: • How many are needed? • Where and how will they be recruited? • Lab vs. field • Testing participants individually vs. in groups.

19. Step 8: Evaluate/Analyse Data • Use the appropriate statistical methods • May involve graphs, computing means and using inferential statistics to help generalise the results from your specific subjects to the general population.

20. Step 9: Interpret Results • Previous research findings • Methodological limitations; data collection, inappropriate research design • Ideas for future research, is further replication necessary? • Do your results extend into other areas? • Refine the original question. If you found that a relationship does exist, now you can ask why does the relationship exist

21. Step 10: Reporting/Disseminating Results • Two reasons to report research results are: 1) The results become part of general knowledge base that others can use to answer questions or generate new research ideas 2) The results are public so can be replicated or refuted by other researchers.