Chapter 1-5: Introduction to Psychological Research Methods and Ethics

Research Methods and Study Design

• Major methods: experimental, correlational, case study, naturalistic observation, twin studies; longitudinal vs. cross-sectional

• Design considerations: money (budget), time, ethics, and other limitations

• Ethical example in design: it would be unethical to randomly assign children to loving versus punishing homes

Measuring Behavior, Mental Processes, and Confounds

• How to measure: observe target behavior or mental process; ensure measures are appropriate and reliable

• Confounding variables: factors other than the IV that may affect results and interpretations

• Aim of research: reveal general principles that explain many behaviors, not just one specific case

Laboratory Research and Generalization

• Laboratory experiments: create a simplified, controlled version of real-life situations to test theoretical principles

• Not about recreating exact daily life, but about testing principles that can generalize to real-world contexts

• Generalization: many lab-derived principles tend to apply to everyday life when appropriate

The Role of Theory and Principles in Psychology

• Focus is on general principles rather than specific behaviors

• Laboratory findings contribute to understanding broad mechanisms of behavior and mind

Ethics in Psychological Research

• Animal research: used to understand learning, thinking, and to develop treatments for humans

• Benefits to humans include vaccines, medicines, and medical advances; need to weigh animal welfare

• Public opinion on animal research is divided; debate centers on welfare vs potential human benefits

• Human participants: most studies are low-stress; deception is sometimes used if essential to justified aims

Human Research Ethics and Protections

• Informed consent: participants must be given enough information to decide whether to participate

• Minimization of harm: protect participants from greater-than-usual harm and discomfort

• Confidentiality: keep information about individuals confidential

• Debriefing: explain the study afterward, including any deception used

Oversight and Standards

• Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) oversee proposals to safeguard rights and well-being of participants

• Ethical codes (APA for psychology in the US; BPS for Britain) guide research conduct

Key Concepts for Quick Recall

• Correlation vs. causation: correlational studies show association, not causation; experiments with random assignment establish causal effects

• Independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV): core to experimental design

• Ethics balance: scientific advancement vs. welfare of humans and animals; justified deception may occur only if essential to the research goal

• General principles over specific outcomes: laboratory findings inform broad understanding of behavior and mental processes

Qualitative research explores concepts through non-numerical data for in-depth understanding, while quantitative research measures variables with numerical data to generalize findings.