Methods
Matthew Research Sorley Carleton University
So! How is everybody today?
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Key Questions
What is the scientific method? What should we consider when designing a What psychology experiment? psychology What methods are available if we want to What describe behaviour? describe How can we become more effective How consumers of research information? consumers
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The Scientific Method
Identify the problem
Catherine Kitty Genovese
Home of 38 bystanders
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Exercise
Write down one reason why you think Write nobody helped (e.g., called police, etc.). nobody Pair up with a colleague and share your Pair response. response.
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The Scientific Method
Various headlines from The New York Times (1964)
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The Scientific Method
Formulate hypothesis
John Darley and Bibb Latane if multiple bystanders are present, then a if diffusion of responsibility will decrease each bystanders likelihood of intervening bystanders
Test hypothesis
Design and conduct the study Created emergency setting in lab 3 conditions
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The Scientific Method
Analyze data
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The Scientific Method
Draw Draw conclusions conclusions Communicate Communicate results results
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The Research Article The
Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion References
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UmmmFuture Psychopath? UmmmFuture
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Ummm (Part Two)..? Ummm
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Variables
Characteristics that can differ
Make a list of several different ways in Make which we differ which
Operational definitions
How might we operationally define anxiety?
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Sampling
Population vs. sample Random sampling Convenience samples
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Sampling
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Experimental Methods
Control situation Does noise influence Does students ability to learn new information? new Independent variable Dependent variable Causal relationships Not all variables can be Not manipulated manipulated
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Question from Text Website Question
A researcher wants to see if a protein-enriched diet researcher will enhance the maze-running performance of rats. One group of rats is fed the high-protein diet for the duration of the study; the other group continues to receive ordinary rat chow. In this experiment, what term is used to describe the rats' maze-running performance? maze-running a. correlated variable b. control variable c. dependent variable d. iindependent variable ndependent 16
The Crest Test
You have been named research director You for Crest toothpaste for Devise an experiment comparing Crest to Devise Brand X Brand What variables should you use and how What are they being defined and manipulated? are What extraneous variables can you think What of and how can these be controlled? of
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Issues with Experimentation
Internal validity Demand Demand characteristics characteristics Experimenter Experimenter expectancy effects expectancy Blind and double-blind External validity Reliability
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Descriptive and Correlational Research Correlational
Surveys Observational methods Psychological Tests Case Studies Correlational approach
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Descriptive Research - Surveys
Questionnaires
Self or group administered Mail an option; online possibilities
Interviews
Telephone In-person Focus group
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Issues with Surveys
vs.
Structured unstructured Open vs. closed-ended questions Reliance on self-reports (+ and -) May require a literate sample Sources of potential bias Can obtain lots of data Cant make cause and effect statements
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Descriptive Research Descriptive Observation Observation
Naturalistic observation Laboratory observation Non-participant vs. Non-participant participant participant Often used at an early Often stage stage Can observe spontaneous Can behaviour behaviour Researcher bias No firm conclusions about No
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Observation Observation
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Descriptive Research - Tests
Assessment instruments Used in education, business, military, Used research, helping profession, etc. research, Projective tests and objective tests Standardization and norms
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Descriptive Research - Tests
Rorschach inkblot
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Descriptive Research - Tests
MMPI Scoring Sheet
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Descriptive Research Case Descriptive Studies Studies
Detailed description May include test and observational data Insight into behaviour Unique or extreme cases
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Descriptive Research Case Descriptive Studies Studies
Genie case study Genie by Susan Curtiss (1977) (1977) Issues related to Issues generalizability, objectivity objectivity
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Correlational Approach
Search for variables that go together Not logistically or ethically possible to Not manipulate the IV manipulate Correlation co-efficient
number between -1.00 and +1.00 direction of the association (+ or -) strength of the association (strong, moderate, strength weak) weak)
Scatterplots
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Correlations
GPA and SAT scores Correlation Correlation coefficient = 0.61 coefficient Positive correlation Strong
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Correlations Contd
GPA and TV viewing Negative correlation
GPA and shoe size Virtually no correlation
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Correlations Issues
Can't make causal inferences Positive correlation between ice cream Positive sales and number of drownings. Why? sales Only indicates that two variables seem to Only occur together occur
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Ethical Issues in Research Ethical
Institutional Review Boards Contemporary ethics guidelines address:
Informed consent Confidentiality Debriefing Deception
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Ethical Issues in Research Ethical
Desire to protect and Desire promote welfare of participant; more than simply do no harm simply Societal benefits Standards in animal Standards research research
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Being A Wise Consumer of Research Consumer
Look beyond the headlines Ask how numbers were obtained Be cautious about correlations and claims Be of causation of Understand how terms are defined and Understand operationalized operationalized Always search for alternative explanations Recognize how personal biases can Recognize influence interpretations influence
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Being A Wise Consumer Being
Be suspicious of simple answers to Be complex questions complex Question statement about effectiveness of Question treatments, interventions and products by finding comparative basis for effect finding Be open-minded, yet skeptical; most Be conclusions are tentative, so be open to change and revision change Challenge those who use personal opinion Challenge in place of evidence for conclusions in
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