Chapter Two

Research Methods

Research Methods in Research Methods in PsychologyPsychology Why do we need scientific methods?Why do we need scientific methods?

• Hindsight biasHindsight bias

• False consensus effectFalse consensus effect

EmpiricismEmpiricism• Empirical challenges of studying peopleEmpirical challenges of studying people

People are complexPeople are complex People are differentPeople are different People react to situations differentlyPeople react to situations differently

Research Methods in Research Methods in PsychologyPsychology

The story of clever HansThe story of clever Hans• Facts, theories and hypothesisFacts, theories and hypothesis

• What can we learn from Hans?What can we learn from Hans? Be skepticalBe skeptical Observe carefully in controlled conditionsObserve carefully in controlled conditions Be aware of observer-expectancy effectsBe aware of observer-expectancy effects

Types of Research Types of Research StrategiesStrategies

Research design: The experimentResearch design: The experiment

• Independent variableIndependent variable

• Dependent variableDependent variable

• VariablesVariables

• ParticipantsParticipants

• ConfederatesConfederates

Types of Research Types of Research StrategiesStrategies

ActivityTesting Random Assignment

Central TendencyMean, Median & Mode

• Let’s look at the salaries of the employees • at Dunder Mifflen Paper in Scranton:

$25,000-Pam $25,000- Kevin$25,000- Angela$100,000- Andy$100,000- Dwight$200,000- Jim$300,000- MichaelThe median salary looks

good at $100,000.The mean salary also looks good at about $110,000.But the mode salary is only $25,000.Maybe not the best place to work!!

Measures of Variability

• Range: distance from highest to lowest scores.

• Standard Deviation: the variance of scores around the mean.

• The higher the variance or SD, the more spread out the distribution is.

• Do scientists want a big or small SD?

Shaq and Kobe may both score 30 ppg (same mean).But their SDs are very different.

Types of Research Types of Research StrategiesStrategies

• Laboratory observationLaboratory observation

• Case studiesCase studies

• SurveySurvey

• Laboratory studyLaboratory study

• Field studyField study

Data Collection MethodsData Collection Methods

• Self-report Self-report methodmethod

• QuestionnairesQuestionnaires

• InterviewsInterviews

• Observational Observational methodsmethods

• Data collection Data collection pros and conspros and cons

Minimizing Bias in Psychological Minimizing Bias in Psychological ResearchResearch

Avoiding observer and Avoiding observer and subject expectancy effectssubject expectancy effects• Observer-expectancy effectObserver-expectancy effect

• Subject-expectancy effectSubject-expectancy effect

• Double-blind experimentDouble-blind experiment

• PlaceboPlacebo

• Placebo effectPlacebo effect

Activity• “Softens hands while you do the dishes.”

Ethical Issues in Psychological Ethical Issues in Psychological ResearchResearch

Research with humansResearch with humans• The right to privacyThe right to privacy

• Possibility of discomfort Possibility of discomfort or harmor harm

• The use of deceptionThe use of deception Research with animalsResearch with animals How can we ensure How can we ensure

ethical research?ethical research?• Institutional Review Institutional Review

BoardsBoards

HomeworkHomework

• Read Chapter ThreeRead Chapter Three

• ReminderReminder: Unit One Exam (Chapters 1-3) is on : Unit One Exam (Chapters 1-3) is on Tuesday, September 10Tuesday, September 10thth (IN CLASS)(IN CLASS)