Psychological Research Methods and Ethics Overview

Research Importance

It provides the scientific foundation to understand human behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

Scientific method

Learning about the world by applying critical thinking and tools.

Confirmation bias

A tendency to search for information that confirms preconceptions.

Critical thinking

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments or conclusions.

Participant bias

A tendency of research participants to behave in a certain way because they know they are being observed or they believe they know what the researcher wants.

Naturalistic observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating or controlling the situation.

Case Studies

A research technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Correlational study

A research project strategy that investigates the degree to which two variables are related to each other.

Positively correlated

As the value of one variable increases (or decreases) so does the value of the other variable. A perfect positive correlation is +1.0. The closer the correlation is to +1.0, the stronger the relationship.

Negatively correlated

As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable decreases. A perfect negative correlation is -1.0. The closer the correlation is to -1.0, the stronger the relationship.

Survey method

A research technique that questions a sample of people to collect information about their attitudes.

Social desirability

The tendency for people to present themselves in a generally favorable fashion.

Population

The entire group of people about whom you would like to know something.

Random sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member of the population has an equal chance of being included.

Longitudinal study

A research technique that follows the same group of individuals over a long period.

Cross-sectional study

A research technique that compares individuals from different age groups at one time.

Experiment

A research method in which the researcher manipulates and controls certain variables to observe the effects on other variables.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction of the outcome of the experiment or research.

Independent variable

Variable that the researcher will actively manipulate and, if the hypothesis is correct, that will cause a change in the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

A variable that should show the effect of the independent variable.

Experimental group

Participants in an experiment who are exposed to the independent variable.

Control group

Participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the independent variable.

Random assignment

A procedure for creating groups that allow the researcher to control for individual differences among research participants.

Confounding variables

A variable other than the independent variable that could produce a change in the dependent variable.

Blind procedure

An experimental procedure where the research participants are ignorant to the purpose or expected outcome of the experiment.

Double-blind procedure

A research procedure in which both the data collectors and the research participants do not know the expected outcome of the experiment.

Placebo

An inactive substance or condition administered used to control for confounding variables.

Statistically significant

The possibility that the differences in results between the experimental and control groups could have occurred by chance is no more than 5 percent; must be at least 95% certain the differences between the groups are due to the independent variable.

Replication

To repeat the essence of a research study to see whether the results can be reliably reproduced.

Informed Consent(human research)

Participants must be informed, in advance, about the general nature of the research, and any potential risk.

Right to be Protected from Harm and Discomfort

Studies involving harm or discomfort may be conducted only under certain circumstances, and only with the informed consent of the participants.

Right of Confidentiality

Individual data about research participants should never be discussed or released.

Right to Debriefing

Participants have a right to receive a complete explanation of the research at the end of the study.

Animal research

Reasons for Animal Research include interest in animal behavior, data from animal studies may apply to humans, and easier control over experiments.

Care of Animals Used in Research

Animals used in research must have clean housing with adequate ventilation, appropriate food, and be well cared for.