Research Methods - Psychology
Main
Characteristics
Research method
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- - - - 1. Experiments - - - -
a. Laboratory
Experiment
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b. Field
Experiment
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c. Natural
(or “Quasi”)
Experiment
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Advantages (…compared to….)
Investigation used to carefully
Manipulate the IV to see effect on
DV;
Controlled conditions (as in a
laboratory)
Two different participants or groups
(independent measures) or same
groups but two different conditions
(repeated measures)
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As above BUT instead of being
conducted in a laboratory it is
carried out in the natural
surroundings of the participant
when they are unaware that they
are being studied. (street, home,
school, etc)
Researcher is still attempting to
control or manipulate the IV
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Used when experimental
conditions change naturally and
cannot be controlled effectively.
Or….where ethical problems exist
in conducting other types of
experiments
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Disadvantages (…compared to…)
High level of control – limit
interfering /extraneous
variables
Replicable
Establishes causation between
Independent Variable (IV) and
Dependent Variable (DV)
High level of confidence
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As above BUT slightly better
ecological validity – less artificial
Fewer experimenter effects
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Not necessary/impossible to try
to fully manipulate or control
the IV.
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Specific studies
(i.e. Broca etc.)
Can be unethical because of
manipulation
Lack of ecological validity: not natural
conditions, artificial, eliminates too
many other variables / levels of analysis.
criticized for being “artificial”
Observer bias: participants know they
are being observed so might react
differently or artificially
As above BUT slightly less control (over
extraneous variables)
Time consuming
Same as above
Least control of all types of
experiments.
Categories/General Types of Data Collected in Experiments & Non-experiments:
a) QUALITATIVE DATA – Data which expresses qualities or expresses meaning such as what a person thinks, feels, or perceives. Can be turned artificially INTO quantitative
data if the data is placed into categories (and counted or assigned a numerical value). Involves interpretation which means this data CAN be open more open to bias,
distortion, or reliability or validity issues compared to quantitative data. Often this type of data is pursued first so that issues can be explored. Quantitative data is often
pursued in subsequent research. Some correlational statistical tests can be used to help clarify the strength of the relationships between variables.
b) QUANTITATIVE DATA – Data which can be readily be MEASURED and compared using numbers (quantifiable). Height, distance, weight, temperature, etc. Many powerful
statistical tools can be used with this data to help make more accurate inferences about the data.
- The “BIG FIVE” Research Methods are:
1) Experiments, 2) Case Studies, 3) Surveys, 4) Interviews, & 5) Observations. Use only the BIG FIVE when answering any general learning
outcomes for each level of analysis such as: “Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the cognitive/biological/socio-cultural level of analysis.”
Main
Characteristics
Research method
Correlational
study
Disadvantages (…compared to…)
 Not a research method but a
description of the kind of
relationship between variables
that is being pursued.
 Any type of study whose predetermined purpose is to try to
establish a correlation (link) between
two factors or variables.
 Used when experiments are
impossible or unethical
 Focused on one link or trend
 Usually no artificial manipulation
 Can support prior research or basis
for further research (good starting
point for further research)
 Can be reductionist
 Does not establish causation: not 100%
sure one factor causes the other
 Bi-directional ambiguity: not sure which
factor causes the other or how the factors
move in relation to one another
 Gathering data on one specific subject,
 usually used for rare conditions or
situations
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Longitudinal, lots of data, quality
of data, perhaps less reductionist
Provides rich data
2. Case study
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3. Observation
(non-participant;
participant;
covert/undisclosed;
overt/disclosed)
 Good when studying behavior for first
time – help to establish possible
relationships
4. Survey
(questionnaires)
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5. Interview
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Realistic behavior can be observed
(high ecological validity)
Good for young children
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Non-Experiments - - - -
(twin studies, family
studies etc.)
Advantages (…compared to….)
Type of self-report in which
participants provide data by
answering questions – orally or in
written form.
Usually qualitative but sometimes
quantitative data
Types of survey questions:
Open-ended OR closed
 Gathering information using prepared
questions and recording answers.
 Usually qualitative data interpreted by
researcher
 Types: face to face, by telephone, or
email
 Format: Structured, unstructured,
semi-structured
 Good for situations where lots of
data needed in a reasonably short
amount of time
 Good for studying variables for the
first time.
 Rich data
 Possibility for clarification questions
if conducted face to face or over
telephone
 Can provide flexibility (unstructured
format) for the researcher
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Ethical problems: years of study on one
person, not always clear consent
Cannot establish cause and effect
Hard to generalize from - as very
abnormal and only one case
Cannot replicate
Not possible to know cause and effect
relationship
Difficult to replicate
Difficult to control extraneous
variables
Difficult to avoid observer bias
Many problems with self-reporting
(response bias, participant bias, etc)
No cause and effect relationship can be
determined
Common for questions to be unreliable –
(to have several meanings depending on
who is answering them)
 Subjective interpretation by interviewer
 No cause and effect relationships can be
determined
Specific studies
(i.e. Speissman, etc.)