Psychology Research Methods

Empirical evidence

data that is collected through systematic observation and/or carefully controlled experiments.

7 Steps of Research

Step 1: Identification of the research problem

Step 2: Formulation of the research hypothesis

Step 3: Design of the method

Step 4: Collection of the data

Step 5: Analysis of the data

Step 6: Interpretation of the data

Step 7: Reporting the research findings

Experiment

Used to find a cause-effect relationship between behaviours or events of interest - a study is an experiment if it has an IV and DV and is looking at the relationship between the two.

Aim

The purpose of the investigation.

Hypothesis

A tentative, testable prediction of the relationship between variables.

Population

The entire group of interest that research is based on.

Independent Variable (IV)

The condition manipulated by the experimenter to test its effect.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The condition measured to observe the effect of the IV.

Operational Hypothesis

Outlines population and how variables will be observed, manipulated, and measured.

Extraneous Variable

A variable other than the IV that CAN affect the DV.

Confounding Variable

A variable other than the IV that WILL affect the DV.

Individual Participant Differences

Differences in personal characteristics and experiences of individual participants.

Order Effects

Performance changes caused by the specific sequence tasks are presented.

Experimenter Effect

Participant response changes due to experimenter actions rather than the IV.

Placebo Effect

Improvement resulting from belief that a treatment will be effective.