Five Basic Goals in ResearchBasic Research ProcessTypes of Research

Research Methods

Being a Wise Consumer of Information: Media only publishes parts of research when

of public interest. All information for public consumption may be:

Oversimplified, condensed with few details Distorted or exaggerated

People must consider information carefully: Separate group from individual outcomes Do not over generalize from small sample Look for additional information on a study Do not attribute causes when none exist Evaluate the source of information

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GirlsBoys

Percentage parent–child interactions in which the parent explained science concepts

Parents’ Explanations of Science to Sons and Daughters at a Science Museum

Five Basic Goals in Research Describe: Explain: Why did the subject produce the behavior? Predict: The best predictor of future behavior is past

behavior. Control: What can we do to change the behavior? Improve:

Research Methods

Main Types of Psychological Research:

Basic: Study of psychological issues in order to seek knowledge for its own sake.

Applied: Study of psychological issues that have direct practical significance, application.

Research Methods

Types of research: Descriptive: observes and records

behavior Laboratory research Naturalistic observation Surveys and interviews Standardized tests Case studies Life-history records Physiological measures

Research Methods

Two main divisions of research: Correlational research-

Measures relationships No causation

Experimental research- Independent variable gets manipulated Dependent variable is the resulting change Experimental group is manipulated Control group serves as the “norm” for

comparison

Research Methods

Time-span research: Focus on the relation of age to some other

variable across the life span. Cross-sectional approach:

Compares different age groups at one time Longitudinal approach:

Studies a group over a period of time Sequential approach:

Combines longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches

Cohort effects: Due to time or era of birth but not due to one’s

actual age

Research Methods

Theory: General principle proposed to explain how a number of separate facts are related. An idea about a relationship. Research is necessary in order to validate or invalidate a theory.

Experiment: Manipulate a situation in order to prove/disprove a hypothesis.

Meta-Analysis: Summary of past research on a given topic.

Placebo: No treatment given, participant assumes treatment is present.

Confederate: Experimenter assumes the role of a participant or antagonist.

Basic Research Process “Too many cookies make penguins go

crazy.”1. Have a question or idea about a relationship.

2. Develop a Null Hypothesis: (H0) The reverse of what the experimenter believes

will happen. Cookies don’t make penguins go crazy.

Very easy to test this, all you have to do is find one case where this is not so.

3. Develop an Alternative Hypothesis: (H1) Statement that attempts to describe or explain a given

behavior. Leads to specific predictions of what will happen in very

specific situations. Certain types and quantities of cookies may make specific

penguins go crazy.

Basic Research Process “Too many cookies make penguins go crazy.”4. Conduct the Experiment:

Variable: Anything that can be measured or is changed. Independent Variable: Input variable. Dependent Variable: Outcome variable.

Empirical Evidence: Can be measured and observed. Control Condition: No manipulation added. Operational Definition: How the phenomenon is to be

observed and measured. Principal of Falsifiability: Hypotheses could be disproved if

contradictory evidence were observed/introduced.

5. Complete the Result Section: Collected data from experiment, prove or disprove the null Statistical Significance: Results are probably true, not due to

chance. Occam’s Razor: When conflicting results/solutions to a given

problem occur, the shortest and least complex one is the correct choice

Types of Research

Naturalistic Observation: Observing behavior in its natural environment. Can involve counting specific behaviors.

Advantage: Provides more qualitative information than the other methods.

Disadvantage: Presence of an observer modifies the participant’s behavior. No two observers produce the same results.

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Case Study: Following a single case for an extended period of time.

Advantage: Gather extensive information, both qualitative and quantitative and can be helpful in better understanding rare cases or very specific interventions

Disadvantage: Only one case is involved severely limiting generalization

Types of Research

Survey: Questionnaires gather info from asking people directly.

Advantage: Can gather large amounts of information in a relatively short time, cost effective.

Disadvantage: Based solely on subjects’ responses which can be inaccurate due to outright lying, misunderstanding of the question, placebo effect, and even the manner in which the question is asked.

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Correlational Study: Determine if a relationship exists, what direction the relationship is, and how strong it is.

Positive Correlation: As one increases the other increases, as one decreases the other decreases.

Negative Correlation: As one increases the other decreases, as one decreases the other increases.

Advantage: Measures the strength of a relationship between two groups.

Disadvantage: Can’t make any assumptions of cause and effect. No knowledge of effect of a third variable.

Twin Studies

Defined: Studying identical twins separated near birth is one behavioral genetic method.

Example: Gerald and Mark Met at age 31 after being separated at birth. Both:

Are volunteer firefighters Like to hunt, eat Chinese food, and watch John Wayne movies Drink the same brand of beer, with their hands held the same way

(pinky curled)

Evaluating Genetic Theories Reasons for caution:

Not all traits are equally heritable or unaffected by shared environment.

Some studies may underestimate the impact of the environment. Even traits that are highly heritable are not rigidly fixed. Genetic predisposition does not imply inevitability.

Research Focus

Development of: Motor Skills Problem Solving Conceptual Understanding Moral Reasoning Identity Formation

Research Focus

Stages of Development: Prenatal Infancy Toddler Early Childhood Childhood Adolescence Early Adulthood Middle Age Old Age Death

Is age static?