Overview of Research Methods

Eat my ass

Experiment

Manipulation of an IV (Independent Variable) under controlled conditions and measurements of its effects on a DV (Dependent Variable)

Strengths of Experiments

Est. cause & effect relationships b/w IV & DV

Weaknesses of Experiments

Can be limited in its ability to generalize

Naturalistic Observation

Careful judgements of humans/animals in real life situations

Strengths of Naturalistic Observation

Provides descriptive data abt behavior w/ wide applicability

Weaknesses of Naturalistic Observation

Loss of experimental control

Longitudinal Study

Observational study in which a group of similar participants are observed over a long period of time

Strengths of Longitudinal Study

Enables to see how individuals change overtime

Weaknesses of Longitudinal Study

Time-consuming, expensive, potential loss of subjects

Cross Section Study

Observational study in which researchers compare/contrast people of different age at a given time

Strengths of Cross Section Study

Less time-consuming

Weaknesses of Cross Sectional Study

Differences b/w members can’t be necessarily be attributed to age

Case Studies

Intensive investigation of the behaviors & mental processes associated w/ a specific person of a situation

Strengths of Case Studies

Provides detailed descriptive data & analyses of rare phenomena

Weaknesses of Case Studies

May not be representative of the phenomena- atypical results/findings

Correlation

Relationship b/w 2 or more variables

Strengths of Correlation

Used to make predictions

Weaknesses of Correlation

Can’t be used to determine cause & effect

How are experimental subjects chosen?

A sample is randomly selected from a population, which its members are randomly assigned to control or treatment groups

Type of Treatment

IV: Diff types of drugs/psych. treatments

Treatment Factors

IV: brief vs. long-term. inpatient vs. outpatient

Experimental Manipulation

IV: Types of beverage consumed (alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic)

Behavioral Variables

DV: Measures of adjustment, activity lvls, eating, smoking

Physiological Variables

DV: Measures of physio. responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, brain wave activity

Self-Report Variables

DV: Measures of anxiety, mood, or marital or life satisfaction

Descriptive Stats

1. Organize

2. Summarize

3. Simplify

4. Describe & Present data

Inferential States

1. Generalize samples to pops

2. Hypothesis testing

3. Make predictions