AP Psych Research Methods

Experimental

• Involves manipulation of one or more independent variables to observe the effect on a dependent variable

• Allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships

• Utilizes control groups to compare results and minimize confounding variables

• Random assignment is crucial to ensure that participants are equally likely to be placed in any group

• Results can be replicated to verify findings and enhance reliability

Correlational

• Examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulation

• Correlation coefficients (r) indicate the strength and direction of the relationship (positive, negative, or none)

• Does not imply causation; a correlation does not mean one variable causes changes in another

• Useful for identifying patterns and making predictions based on observed relationships

• Can be affected by third variables, which may confound results

Naturalistic observation

• Involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference

• Provides insights into real-world behaviors and interactions

• Lacks control over variables, making it difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships

• Observer bias can affect the interpretation of behaviors

• Ethical considerations must be taken into account, especially regarding privacy

Case studies

• In-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or event

• Useful for exploring rare or unique phenomena that cannot be studied through other methods

• Provides rich qualitative data but may lack generalizability to larger populations

• Can reveal insights into complex issues, but findings may be subjective

• Often used in clinical psychology to inform treatment approaches

Surveys and questionnaires

• Collect data from a large number of respondents using structured questions

• Can be administered in various formats (online, paper, interviews)

• Useful for gathering self-reported data on attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors

• Response bias (e.g., social desirability) can affect the accuracy of results

• Requires careful design to ensure validity and reliability of the questions

Longitudinal studies

• Involves repeated observations of the same subjects over an extended period

• Useful for studying developmental changes and long-term effects

• Can identify trends and causal relationships over time

• Time-consuming and may suffer from participant attrition (dropout)

• Provides a comprehensive view of changes within individuals or groups

Cross-sectional studies

• Examines different groups of participants at a single point in time

• Useful for comparing different age groups, demographics, or conditions

• Provides a snapshot of data but does not track changes over time

• Less time-consuming than longitudinal studies but may miss developmental trends

• Can identify correlation but not causation

Meta-analysis

• Combines results from multiple studies to identify overall trends and effects

• Increases statistical power and provides a more comprehensive understanding of a research question

• Helps to resolve conflicting findings in the literature

• Requires careful selection of studies to ensure quality and relevance

• Can inform evidence-based practices and guide future research directions