This document discusses common methods used in psychological research. It describes introspection, observation, life-history method, survey method, experimental method, and statistical method. Introspection involves self-analysis of one's own feelings and experiences. Observation can be uncontrolled, naturalistic, or controlled. The life-history method traces the development of behaviors through methods like diaries. Surveys collect data through questionnaires or interviews from a representative sample. Experiments involve manipulating an independent variable to measure its effects on a dependent variable. Statistics are used to analyze numerical data and make inferences.

1. Prepared by:
Orlando A. Pistan, MAEd
Psychology Instructor
COMMON METHODS USED IN RESEARCH

2. Psychological
research refers
to studies that
psychologists conduct
to analyze the experiences
and behaviors of individuals
or groups.
Their research can have
educational, occupational,
and clinical applications.
COMMON METHODS USED IN RESEARCH

3. Introspection
Observation
Life-history method
Survey method
Experimental method
Statistical method
COMMON METHODS USED IN RESEARCH

4. A method of mental self-
analysis wherein the
psychologist studies himself,
records his feelings and
experiences, analyses these,
and later interprets them.
Certain problems in
psychology, particularly those
concerned with the intra
personal phenomena, can be
studied only by introspection.
Because the study is based on
personal experiences, the
results may not be very
reliable.
INTROSPECTION

5. The most widely used
method in the study of
behaviour.
There are several kinds of
observations:
Uncontrolled
Naturalistic
Controlled
OBSERVATION

6. Does not follow any
particular scope of
behaviour to be observed.
It is casual, and the
psychologist is free to
observe any activity that
arises without formally
recording such behaviour.
UNCONTROLLED

7. The observation of
things as they naturally
happen.
Other investigators call
this field-study method,
where critical
observations are made
from nature “in the
raw”.
NATURALISTIC

8. Follows certain rules,
factors, or control in
gathering materials in
order to draw the best
conclusions.
Certain requirements or
specifications limit the
activity of the observer.
CONTROLLED

9. COMPARISON
Parameter Recording
Uncontrolled No No
Naturalistic No Yes
Controlled Yes Yes

10. The extensive study of
individuals by tracing
the development of a
particular behaviour.
Life-history methods are
of 3 basic forms:
Daybook method
Clinical method
Biographical method
LIFE-HISTORY METHOD

11. Sometimes called diary
of development, is a
careful recording of day
to day activities. This is
particularly used in
child study and
development.
DAYBOOK METHOD

12. Sometimes called diary
of development, is a
careful recording of day
to day activities. This is
particularly used in
child study and
development.
DAYBOOK METHOD

13. All possible data are
gathered from the
individual, the parents,
and others who knows the
person.
These are studied by the
clinical psychologist,
psychoanalyst,
psychiatrist or social
worker to discover the
cause of some social
adjustment problem and
how to solve it.
CLINICAL METHOD

14. The analysis of the
records of people’s lives
as written by
themselves or by others.
Biography
Autobiography
BIOGRAPHICAL METHOD

15. The analysis of the
records of people’s lives
as written by
themselves or by others.
Biography
Autobiography
BIOGRAPHICAL METHOD

16. Uses data obtained from
respondents through
written questionnaires or
interviews.
Respondents are chosen
in order to constitute a
representative sample.
This method is used in
obtaining norms, or
opinion polls.
SURVEY METHOD

17. SURVEY METHOD

18. Involves variables which
can be either
independent or
dependent.
An independent variable
is a constant condition
which is selected by the
experimenter.
The dependent variable is
the subject’s behaviour
whose value depends in
the independent variable.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

19. “ The Effects of Internet Pornography on
Sexual Aggression of Sophomore Male
Criminology Students of Pamantasan ng
Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, AY 2010-2011. “
IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES:
Independent:
Internet Pornography
Constant
Dependent:
Sexual Aggression
Changing

20. Deals with the collecting
and handling of numerical
data and making
inferences from such
data.
Knowledge of statistical
method is needed in
order to appraise
individuality, such as in
intelligence tests,
personality tests, and
other kinds of appraisal
devices.
STATISTICAL METHOD

21. Introspection
Observation
Life-history method
Survey method
Experimental method
Statistical method
SO, WHAT ARE THE COMMON METHODS
USED IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH?

22. Thank you for
paying attention.
COMMON METHODS USED IN RESEARCH