Field Methods in Psychology Notes

Study of behavior and mental processes in natural settings using observational techniques, surveys, and real-world data collection methods.

Field Methods

Examine the relationship between two or more variables to identify associations without implying causation.

Correlational Methods

Correlational methods cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Causation

Observe and detail behaviors or phenomena as they naturally occur without influencing the variables.

Descriptive Methods

Important factors in field research, including informed consent, respect for local customs, and confidentiality.

Ethical Considerations

Participants must be fully aware of the research and voluntarily agree to participate.

Informed Consent

Ensuring participants' privacy and handling sensitive data carefully.

Confidentiality

Data collection using structured tools for numerical data analysis.

Quantitative Methods

Data collection using unstructured techniques for non-numerical data analysis.

Qualitative Methods

Consistency of a measure, assessed through methods like Cronbach’s Alpha.

Reliability

The extent to which a survey measures what it intends to measure.

Validity

Evaluation of clarity, length, sampling method, and pre-testing for effective data collection.

Survey Design

Identifying and analyzing themes within qualitative data.

Thematic Analysis

Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches for comprehensive research.

Mixed Methods

Group discussions that generate collective insights but may face challenges like groupthink.

Focus Group Interviews

Manipulating variables in controlled environments to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

Experimental Methods

Techniques like t-tests and ANOVA used to analyze data in psychological research.

Statistical Methods

The ability to study variables that cannot be manipulated due to ethical constraints.

Ethical Flexibility

Engaging with local stakeholders to ensure respectful and relevant research practices.

Community Involvement

Generating a theory directly from qualitative data through coding processes.

Grounded Theory