Research | Psychology

The essential aspects to a research.

Research

Study = Research/Empirical Study/Research ≠ Theory

Study Outline

1. Aim

2. Procedure

3. Results

4. Findings

Aim

The purpose of a study.

Procedure

A step-by-step procedure to carry out the study.

Should be written in a way so it can be replicated by other researchers.

Results

Numerical or descriptive data that is obtained and processed.

Findings

The interpretation of the data that was collected that might be generalized.

Researchers confirming this of the same study will make it more credible.

Study Publication

Before a study can be published into a journal, it must first be peer-reviewed by another professional in that area anonymously.

Participants

People taking part in a study.

Sample

A group of people taken from the target population which the researchers are interested in.

When the group is representative of the target population, the study has high population validity and findings can be generalized.

Sampling

Ways for researchers to find participants for their studies.

Opportunity/Convenience Sampling

Researchers use a naturally occurring group of people.
+ Efficient
- Biased

Volunteer/Self-Selected Sampling

Participants volunteer to join the study themselves, either through help of advertisements or over the internet.
+ Less Biased than Opportunity Sampling
+ Highly Motivated
- Biased

Snowball Sampling

Participants recruit other participants by asking other acquaintances.
+ Time-Efficient
- Sample Bias —> Not Representative

Random Sampling

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
+ Representative
- Smaller Sample —> Less Representative

Repeated Measures Design

Participants are allocated to each condition of an experiment.
+ Participant variables are controlled.
- Demand Characteristics
- Order Effects

Independent Sample Design

Participants of the sample are randomly allocated to one condition of the experiment.
+ Order effects are controlled.
+ Demand characteristics are less likely to intervene.
- Participant Variability
- More participants are required.

Matched Pair Design

Participants are pre-tested to allocate them to a specific group regarding a variable.
+ Participants variables are controlled.

Laboratory Setting

A setting where extraneous variables can be controlled.

Field Setting

A naturalistic setting in a participant’s real life.

Retrospective Study

The researcher asks the participant about past behaviours.
- Memory
- Social Desirability Effect

Prospective Study

The researcher measures the participant’s behaviour over a period of time.
+ No relying on memory.
- Time-Consuming
- Attrition
- Money-Consuming

Longitudinal Study

The researcher repeats observations over time.
+ No participant variable influence.
- Attrition

EX: Researcher observes a participant at age 10, 20, 30, 40, etc..

Cross-Sectional Study

The researcher observes at one point in time.
+ Efficient
- Participant Variables

EX: Researcher observes a group of 10 year olds, 20 year olds, 30 year olds, etc..