Research Methods in PsychologyPertemuan 3 s.d 4

Matakuliah : L0014/Psikologi UmumTahun : 2007

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Agenda Today

1. Basic Concepts of Research2. Research Methods3. Ethical Principles of Research

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What is Research ?

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BASIC CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Method of studying nature based on systematic observation and rules of evidence

• Need think critically about the evidence

• The psychological scientist asks :– What is the evidence?– How good is the evidence?– What are the alternative explanation for the evidence ?– What needs to learn next ?

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• Empirical Evidence : evidence based on observation of publicly observable phenomena

• Operational Definitions : describe the observation in terms of the operational measurement (procedures, operations)– The use of Operational measurement : to evaluate the quality of the

evidence and the alternative interpretations of the evidence

• Theories – Tentative explanations of facts and relationships in sciences– Always subject to change revise because scientist are constantly

testing them

• Hypotheses– A theory tested by making a prediction based on theory

• Representative of Samples– A relatively small groups of participants studied to learn about an entire

population

• Important of Replication in Research– Repeating studies based on the scientific principle that the results of

studies should be doubted until the same results have been found in similar studies by other researchers

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RESEARCH METHODS

1. Descriptive Studies2. Formal Experiments3. Describing and Interpreting Data

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DESCRIPTIVE STUDIES (1)• Survey Method

– A research method that uses interviews and questionnaires with individuals

– The primary advantage : gather great deal of information on a relatively short time

– The main disadvantage :• The sample of people who are surveyed can influence the results• Can not be sure that the answers are completely honest (esp. for sensitive

topic)• A number of subtle factors have been found to influence the results of surveys

• Naturalistic Observation– A research method based on observation and recording behavior as it

occurs in natural life settings

• Clinical Method– A method of studying people while they are receiving psychological help

from mental health proffesional

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DESCRIPTIVE STUDIES (2)

• Correlational studies– Correlational Method : a research method that measure the

strength of the relation between variables– Variable : a factor that can be assigned a numerical value– Quantitative measures : capable of being measured in

numerical terms– Correlation Coefficient : to measure the strength & direction of

the correlation between two quantitative variables in statistical terms(positive vs negative correlation, correlation coefficient = 0)

– Correlation does not necessarily mean causation

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FORMAL EXPERIMENTS (1)

• A research method that allows the researcher to manipulate the independent variable to study its effect on the dependent variable– Independent Variable : the variable whose quantitative value is

independently controlled by the researcher (ex. The conditions)– Dependent Variable : the measure of specific behavior of interest that

expected to depend on the effects of the independent variable– Experimental group : the group in an experiment that receives some

value of the independent variable– Control Group : the group that is not exposed to any level of the

independent variable and is used for comparisons with the treatment group

• If the behavior of the participants in the experimental group differs from the behavior of the participants in the control group, the hypothesis that differences in the IV cause differences in the DV is supported, but only under 2 circumstances:1. when the participants are randomly assigned2. If all the alternatives explanations for findings have been ruled through

strict experimental control

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FORMAL EXPERIMENTS (2)

• Placebo control– Placebo effects : changes in behavior produced by a condition

in a formal experiment thought to be inert or inactive

• Blind formal experiments– The researchers recording the data (DV) does not know which

participants had received which condition of the IV– Why ?

• To avoid un-intentionally recording the data in a way that would favor their hypothesis

• To rule out the possibility of experimenter bias– Double blind experiments : the researchers and the participants

do not know if they are in the experimental or the control group

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DESCRIBING AND INTEPRETING DATA

• Descriptive statistic– Statistic (mean, median, mode, SD) that summarize the

numerical results of studies

• Reaching Conclusions from data– Statistical significant : the question is whether the

correlation and the difference between means are greater that would be expected by chance

– 2 important issues :1. When the size of the sample of persons in the study is

larger2. Statistical significance ‡ practical significance

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ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH

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WITH HUMAN PARTICIPANTS

1. Freedom from coercion• No pressure or gift promise

2. Informed consent• Has to tell about the procedures, risks and benefits

3. Limited deception• The purpose of the study (if not before, after)

4. Adequate debriefing• Right to know the results of the study

5. Confidentiality

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WITH NON HUMAN PARTICIPANTS

1. Necessity2. Health3. Humane treatment