The Research Enterprise in Psychology

HH/PSYC 1010 Chapter 2: The Research Enterprise in Psychology: ● There are numerous different ways with which psychological researchers work out; most of these are suited to answering various kinds of questions, and each method leads to a different type of data. ● There are three general categories of research: descriptive research, correlational research, and experimental research. 1. Descriptive Research ● Descriptive methods allow observing and describing behavior without controlling or manipulating variables. ● This is an application of a technique that allows a chance to appreciate phenomena in their natural form. - Naturalistic observation: A situation whereby a researcher can observe behavior in its natural setting, without any obstruction. This method seeks to gather much data from real-life situations, but it is compromised since the observer has bias and a lack of control over variables. - Case studies: These involve an in-depth analysis of very few cases and can be used to provide detailed information that may be unique or rare. The results obtained can, therefore, not be generalized. - Surveys/Questionnaires: These tools allow the solicitation of a vast number of people's opinions. One of the key advantages is the solicited information concerning the attitudes, beliefs, or self-reported behaviors of an individual. Most certainly, though, they could be biased with responses to answers already set or incorrectly self-report. 2. Correlational Research ● Correlational research involves comparing two or more variables simultaneously to establish the degree to which they are related. HH/PSYC 1010 - Correlation Coefficient: A measure of the relationship that can be assumed between two variables and that shall assume any value in the range between -1.0 and +1.0. A positive sign means that one would vary with the other; a negative sign means that the other would differ in the opposite sense of the first. FIGURE 1 - E.G: - Restrictions: While correlations can be helpful to reveal patterns that predict relationships, causation is a step beyond the conjecture in a hypothesis. One variable can be the cause for changes in another in correlational studies. 3. Experimental research ● Experimental research is second only to cause and effect in ranking as the most excellent method of establishing superiority. - - - Independent variable: a factor changed on purpose or manipulated within an investigation to observe its effect. The dependent variable: is the variable that is measured to establish the results or effects of the independent variable. Control Group: The group that is compared with and provides a comparison for the results of the experiment does not receive the experimental treatment. Random assignment: researchers assign their participants to either an experimental or control group in a random order to ensure absolutely no bias is executed, as well as the fact that said groups will have all started their experiments from a common starting point. Advantages: Experiments allow the control of variables and establish causation, thereby providing robust evidence for theories. Limitations: Experiments are often very artificial and, in some cases, do not transfer to the real world. In addition, other constraints, whether ethical or practical, some experiments cannot be realized. Ethics in Psychological Research ● Ethics investigation in a psychological study is done to safeguard the rights and the well-being of all participants. HH/PSYC 1010 ● The underlying essence of all the research is responsible, ethical guidelines concerning the nature of the research and the individuals. 1. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) - Through the review of research proposals, the IRBs ensure that not only the research studies meet the mentioned ethical criteria but also the assurance that the welfare of participants is of most importance in this process about probable risks and benefits. 2. Informed Consent - It is basically done to ensure that the researchers find out what the research would involve, the possible risks to be involved, and the aspect of individual withdrawal at any given moment. This should make participation voluntary and informed through knowledge of what the study can entail. 3. Confidentiality - The information of the participants should be confidential, with data kept at or within the limits of that threshold. - This is important for the privacy and trust that the researcher has with the participants. 4. Deception and Debriefing - deception may be necessary in some studies to prevent bias, it must be justified and not harm participants. - After the study, researchers must debrief participants, explaining the true nature of the research and its purposes.