AP PSYCH Methods

Experiment

What the researcher is doing: Randomly assigns people to groups and changes one variable (the IV), then measures the result (the DV) under controlled conditions. Dead-giveaway words: randomly assigned; two or three groups; manipulated / changed; controlled conditions; measured the effect of.

Correlational Study

What the researcher is doing: Measures two variables as they already exist and reports how they move together. Nothing is manipulated. Dead-giveaway words: surveyed / collected data; as X increases, Y...; linked to / associated with; tend to; existing records or database.

Naturalistic Observation

What the researcher is doing: Watches and records behavior in its natural setting without interfering. Dead-giveaway words: observed; in the wild / natural habitat; without interfering; discreetly; field, playground, daycare.

Case Study

What the researcher is doing: Investigates one person or a very small group in deep detail using many sources. Dead-giveaway words: one patient / child / person; over months or years; interviews, tests, records; a rare or unusual individual.

Meta-Analysis

What the researcher is doing: Statistically combines the results of many past studies to find one overall pattern. Dead-giveaway words: 45 published studies; systematically reviewed; combined results; effect size.