Should research be used to make decisions about people's lives in our society?
Psychological research often relies on surveys and questionnaires as a type of data collection method. Researchers use these methods to collect data from a large number of people in a relatively short amount of time. Psychologists also use an observational method of research, which involves observing people in natural settings without their knowledge. This type of research can provide valuable insights into human behavior.
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Experiment - A method of psychological research in which the researcher manipulates one or more independent variables and measures their effect on one or more dependent variables Survey - A method of psychological research in which the researcher collects data from a large number of participants using a questionnaire or interview Case Study - A method of psychological research in which the researcher closely examines a single individual or a small group of individuals over a long period of time
Concepts:
Naturalistic Observation -a research method used by scientists to observe and record the behavior of organisms in their natural environment without interfering. The goal is to understand how organisms interact with their environment and with each other. Longitudinal - a research method that involves repeated observations of the same variables over a long period of time that is used to track changes in people over time and to understand how different factors interact.
Concepts:
Surveys are a type of research method used to collect data directly from people. Common survey formats include online surveys, interviews, and paper surveys. Surveys are a valuable tool for collecting information from large groups of people quickly.
Survey Research Methods
Survey research can be used to uncover hidden trends in public opinion by analyzing the responses of a statistically-valid sample of the population. Survey research can be used to assess the effectiveness of a particular program or intervention. Survey research can be used to measure the impact of advertising or media campaigns on public opinion.
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A psychologist conducts a survey to gather data on teenagers' sleep patterns and their effects on academic performance.
Example: Survey Method
In a few words, what do you think are the main benefits and drawbacks of survey research?
Benefits of Survey Research: Survey research is a cost-effective way to collect data quickly from a large group of people. It is also a simple way to get feedback on a certain topic or issue. Additionally, survey research is a reliable way to collect data that can be used to make decisions. Drawbacks of Survey Research: Survey research can be time-consuming and difficult to design. Additionally, it can be difficult to get an accurate representation of the entire population due to people's reluctance to respond to surveys. Furthermore, survey research is limited in terms of the depth of information that can be collected.
Concepts:
Why is gathering data from a large sample size beneficial in survey research?
- It reduces the time required for analysis
- It provides more detailed insights
- It increases the generalizability of findings
What is response bias in survey research?
- When respondents provide inaccurate or misleading answers
- When researchers manipulate data to fit their hypothesis
- When participants refuse to participate
Which of the following is a commonly used survey research method?
- Online surveys
- Observational studies
- Lab experiments
What is a closed-ended question in survey research?
- A question with multiple correct answers
- A question that requires an open-ended response
- A question with pre-determined response options
Which type of survey bias occurs when respondents provide socially desirable responses instead of their true opinions?
- Sampling bias
- Social desirability bias
- Confirmation bias
Question: You work for a research firm and need to survey people about a new breakfast product that benefits young athletes with added nutrients and natural energy products. How would you go about getting the survey responses? Clues: • Consider the target audience of the new product. • Think about the best methods to reach the people in the target audience. • Identify the best format for the survey questions. In pairs: Select and solve one of the tasks: A. Create a survey using a polling platform. B. Design a questionnaire for face-to-face interviews.
Case studies are stories that show how a problem was identified and solved. They allow students to explore real-world issues and draw their own conclusions. Case studies can help students develop crucial skills like decision-making and problem-solving.
Case Study: A Powerful Learning Tool
Instrumental case studies: These occur when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially obvious to observers.
Case Study: A Powerful Learning Tool
Intrinsic case studies: This type of case study is when the researcher has a personal interest in the case. Jean Piaget's observations of his own children are good examples of how an intrinsic cast study can contribute to the development of a psychological theory.
Case Study: A Powerful Learning Tool
What challenges might you face while conducting an intrinsic case study?
Collective case studies: These involve studying a group of individuals. Researchers might study a group of people in a certain setting or look at an entire community. For example, psychologists might explore how access to resources in a community has affected the collective mental well-being of those living there.
Case Study: A Powerful Learning Tool
What is a potential problem with using the collective case study method?
- Difficulty in data collection
- Lack of detailed information
- Limited generalizability
Cannot necessarily be generalized to the larger population Cannot demonstrate cause and effect Can lead to bias
Case Studies: Cons
What is the main purpose of using the case study method?
- To analyze real-life situations in depth
- To conduct experiments in a controlled setting
- To collect large-scale survey data
How can the case study method be best utilized?
- To gain insights into specific contexts or unique scenarios
- To test cause-and-effect relationships
- To gather quantitative data on large populations
Question: You and your partner are hired to design a better way to deliver mail to a rural town. What creative solutions could you come up with? Clues: • Consider how people in the rural town currently receive mail. • Research other ways mail is delivered in different parts of the world. • Think about how the solution could be sustainable and cost-effective. In pairs: Select and solve one of the tasks: A. Come up with five potential solutions and explain how each one would work. B. Create a drawing to illustrate your best solution and explain why it is the best option.
Experiment: a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
Concepts:
A hypothesis is like a guess or idea that we have about something. It's like when we try to figure out what might happen based on what we know. We make a hypothesis before doing an experiment to see if it's true. It's kind of like saying, 'I think this will happen because...' and then we test it to see if our guess was right.
Hypothesis
Control Group: a group of participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the experimental condition. Independent Variable: the factor in an experiment that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter.
Concepts:
Example
In a study on the effects of sleep deprivation on test performance: Control Group: allowed regular sleep schedule and daily routine Variable Group: Sleep Schedule changed and participants not allowed regular sleep prior to performance checks. Researchers were looking for differences in performance
the Hawthorne Effect is a phenomenon where participants change their behavior due to the awareness that they are being studied.
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the Placebo Effect is a phenomenon where participants respond positively to a treatment even if it is not the actual treatment being studied.
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Pros: Experiments can help us develop new knowledge and theories Cons: Experiments can have ethical implications and can be costly.
Pros and Cons of Experiments
What is a potential advantage of conducting experiments in scientific research?
- Control over variables
- Limited scope of findings
- Subjective data collection
Which of the following is a possible disadvantage of experiments?
- Unreliable results due to bias
- High cost of implementation
- Artificial laboratory conditions
What is an example of an experimental design limitation?
- Small sample size
- Clear research hypothesis
- Random assignment of participants
What is a psychology experiment?
- A form of therapy for mental health disorders.
- A type of meditation technique.
- A scientific method used to investigate psychological phenomena.
What is an independent variable in a psychology experiment?
- The variable that stays constant throughout the experiment.
- The variable that is measured or observed during the experiment.
- The variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher.
What is a control group in a psychology experiment?
- A group where participants are given special instructions before starting the experiment.
- A group where all variables are manipulated by the researcher simultaneously.
- A group that does not receive any treatment or manipulation and serves as a baseline for comparison.
What is the purpose of a psychology experiment?
- To study the effects of physical exercise on the body.
- To test hypotheses and gather empirical evidence.
- To analyze dreams and interpret their meanings.
Question: You are a psychology researcher who wants to design an experiment to measure the effects of stress on learning. What experiment would you design? Clues: • Think about what kind of variables you will need to measure. • Research other experiments in psychology that measure stress and learning. • Identify participants, materials, and procedures for your experiment. In pairs: Select and solve one of the tasks: A. Work in pairs to come up with a hypothesis and design an experiment. B. Explain your experiment through a drawing.
Naturalistic observation is the observation of behavior, often in a natural environment, to observe how people interact in the world. It is a method used by researchers to gain a better understanding of human behavior in its natural state.
Naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic Observation: a research method in which researchers observe and record behavior in a natural environment without interfering. Subjective Observation: a type of naturalistic observation where the observer's feelings and impressions are also recorded. Participant Observation: a type of naturalistic observation in which the researcher participates directly in the behavior they are studying.
Concepts:
Naturalistic observation is used to study behaviors in their natural environment, instead of an artificial setting such as a laboratory. Naturalistic observation is used to study behaviors in a variety of species, not just humans. Naturalistic observation is often used to study behaviors in the wild that are difficult to replicate in captivity.
Did you know?
Observing children's behavior on a playground to understand the effects of peer pressure on decision-making without intervening in their activities.
Example: Observational Research in Psychology
Pros: Gives an accurate view of behavior in real-world settings, results are easier to generalize to the population at large. Cons: Difficult to control variables, observer bias, and ethical concerns. Requires time, patience, and a well-designed study plan.
Naturalistic Observation: Pros and Cons
Which of the following is an example of naturalistic observation?
- Observing a group of monkeys in the jungle to study their social behavior
- Conducting a laboratory experiment with strict control variables
- Interviewing participants about their experiences
What are the advantages of naturalistic observation as a research method?
- It can uncover unexpected findings
- It provides rich qualitative data
- It allows for studying behavior in real-life settings
What are some limitations or challenges associated with naturalistic observation?
- Difficulty in generalizing findings to larger populations
- The potential for observer bias
- The lack of control over variables
In which field(s) is naturalistic observation commonly used?
- Ethology (study of animal behavior)
- Psychology
- Anthropology
Question: A researcher wants to understand how people interact with technology in everyday life. How can this be studied using naturalistic observation? Clues: • Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior as it occurs in natural settings. • The researcher should observe people using technology in the setting they would normally use it. • The researcher should observe the behavior without interfering with or influencing it. In pairs: Select and solve one of the tasks: A. Work in pairs to create a storyboard illustrating what the researcher's naturalistic observation could look like. B. Create a poster to explain the benefits and drawbacks of using naturalistic observation in this case.
Work together in pairs: What is the difference between a naturalistic observation and an experiment in psychology?
A longitudinal study is a research method used to track changes in variables over time. Data is collected from the same group of participants at regular intervals. This type of study enables researchers to investigate causal relationships between variables.
What is a Longitudinal Study?
In a longitudinal study, participants are usually followed up with over a period of several months or years. The data collected in a longitudinal study can sometimes be used to make predictions about the future. In addition to psychological research, longitudinal studies have also been used to study changes in the environment, such as changes in the Earth's atmosphere over time.
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What type of data can be collected in a longitudinal study?
- Cross-sectional data
- Data on changes over time
- Qualitative data
Why are longitudinal studies considered more reliable than cross-sectional studies?
- They can establish cause-and-effect relationships
- They are quicker to conduct
- They involve larger sample sizes
What is one challenge faced in conducting a longitudinal study?
- Lack of generalizability to other populations
- Managing participant dropout and attrition
- Difficulty in gathering initial baseline data
How could a longitudinal study help us better understand human behavior?
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What are some benefits and limitations of conducting a longitudinal study to understand human development?
What challenges have researchers faced when conducting longitudinal studies?
Longitudinal studies: A type of study involving observations of the same variables over a long period of time, often many years. Pros: Longitudinal studies help researchers to understand how people change over time and gain insight into how people develop. Cons: Longitudinal studies are expensive and time-consuming, and it can be difficult to get participants to stay engaged for the duration of the study.
Concepts:
Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of longitudinal studies in student research?
- High attrition rate
- Lack of control group
- Limited data collection
In longitudinal studies, what does 'longitudinal' refer to?
- Study involving multiple schools
- Study conducted over an extended period
- Study focusing on academic subjects
What types of data can be collected in longitudinal student research?
- Social media usage and online activities
- Academic performance, behavior, and personal growth
- Family background and income levels
What are the different types of psychology research methods?
What are the ethical considerations when conducting psychology research?
How could you apply the research methods you have learned to a real-world situation?
What psychological research methods are most effective in understanding the impact of social media on the teenage mind?