Research Methods II: Exam 1

Steps of the Research Process

1. Observe a problem

2. Develop an empirical study

3. Analyze the data

4. Arrive at conclusions

5. Put this into research literature

Research Question

Observe a problem in the world or something that is unexplained

Step 1 of the Research Process

Empirical Study

Develop an empirical study to help answer that research question

Step 2 of the Research Process

Data Analysis

Analyze the data you collected in your study to answer your research question and test your hypothesis

Step 3 of the Research Process

Conclusions

Based on your data analysis results, draw some conclusions

Step 4 of the Research Process

Research Literature

Put your research questions, study, and data into the research literature so people can build on your research

Step 5 of the Research Process

Reasons for conducting research?

• Results are used to make important decisions that have real-world implications

• It can positively or negatively affect people’s jobs, health, education, safety, and everyday lives

Constructs

An abstract concept or characteristic that researchers want to study but cannot directly observe or measure

Variables

The operationalization of the construct, which occurs through developing a way to measure it

Operationalization

The process of turning abstract concepts or ideas into clear, measurable variables and indicators so they can be tested and observed

Relationship

A connection between two or more constructs that researchers propose and test by examining their measured variables

Theory

A set of causal relationships between constructs that allow specific predictions about future observations

• Explains logically why two (or more) constructs are related

Falsification

Prove a theory is false

• Important because a scientific theory must be able to be proven wrong

• If no possible evidence could contradict a theory, we can’t meaningfully test whether the theory is accurate

Why do we use theory in psychology?

1. Theories can help us make sense of psychological phenomena by providing a logical explanation for why things happen

2. It helps us resolve competing explanations

3. Theory gives us a more systematic way to test and better explain why things happen the way they do

Belmont Report Principles

1. Respect for persons

2. Beneficence

3. Justice

Respect for Persons

Individuals should be treated as autonomous agents who can make their own choices

• Informed consent

• Do not coerce people in studies

Belmont Report Principle

Beneficience

We need to have the interests of the research participants in mind

• Design studies to minimize the interests the risks to the participants and maximize the benefits

• Debriefing

Justice

The burdens and benefits of participating in research should be fairly distributed

• Do not target vulnerable groups simply because they are convenient

• Fair participant selection

Hypothesis

A statement that proposed a particular research outcome

• Grounded in theory and related previous research

• Specific

• Directional

Relational Hypothesis

Predicts a connection or association between two or more variables

• General format: Variable 1 is positively/negatively related to Variable 2

Group Difference Hypothesis

Assumes there is a distinct difference between two or more groups in a population

• Statistical

• General format: Group A is higher/lower on Variable 1 than Group B

Why do we use hypotheses?

• Allows us to make testable predictions regarding whether the way two variables relate to each other supports the theory

• Guides how we design the study

• Connects theory to evidence