Approaches to Research

Psychological Research Methods

Various methods used by psychologists to understand, describe, and explain behavior.

Clinical or Case Studies

In-depth study of one or a few individuals, often with rare characteristics.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in its natural environment without intervention.

Structured Observation

Observing behavior during pre-planned tasks or scenarios.

Surveys

Questionnaires or interviews used to gather self-reported data from participants.

Archival Research

Analyzing existing records or datasets to identify patterns or answer questions.

Longitudinal Research

Studying the same group over a long period.

Cross-Sectional Research

Compares different groups at the same time.

Correlational Research

Helps identify relationships but can’t determine causality.

Experimental Research

Can determine cause-and-effect relationships but may be conducted in artificial settings.