main research methods in psychology

1. RESEARCH METHODS
IN PSYCHOLOGY
Descriptive, experimental and correlational methods

2. DEFINITION OF PSYCHOLOGY

3. GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY
The primary goals of psychology are to:
DESCRIBE BEHAVIOR- What is the nature of this
behavior?
UNDERSTAND AND EXPLAIN BEHAVIOR -Why does it
occur?
PREDICT BEHAVIOR – Can we forecast when and
under what circumstances it will occur?
CONTROL BEHAVIOR – What factors influence this
behavior?

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Psychological research refers to research conducted by
psychologists. We use many different methods for
conducting research. Each method we use is suitable for
certain situations and unsuitable for others. There are 3 main
types of psychological research and methods
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research means
“Collecting information about a particular subject or to
investigate “

5. RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Descriptive
research
Experimental
research
Correlational
research
Simply gathers information and
gives detailed description
Investigates specific variables
(attributes)

6. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Descriptive research describes situations. This type describes data
and characteristics of a particular phenomenon being studied.
1. The data description is factual, accurate and systematic but
the research cannot describe what caused a situation.
2. The description is used for frequencies, averages and other
statistical calculations.
3. The goal is to portray what already exists in a group.
For-example:
An opinion poll to find which political candidate
people plan to vote for in an upcoming election.

7. THREE TYPES OF DESCRIPTIVE METHODS
There are three main types of descriptive research
methods in psychology:
1. Observational methods
(self-observation and observation)
2. Case study method
3. Survey methods

8. OBSERVATIONAL METHODS
With the observational methods animal and human behavior is closely observed.
 Self observation or introspection relies on the observation of one's mental state.
 Naturalistic observation is a research method that involves observing subjects in their
natural environment.
 Laboratory observation includes observing the individual (s) in a laboratory setting,
paying close attention to his/her reaction or behavior

9. Laboratory observation includes observing
the individual (s) in a laboratory setting,
paying close attention to his/her reaction
or behavior. this method allows more
“control” than that of a naturalistic
observation but limits reality.
During naturalistic observation researchers
take great care to avoid interfering with
the behavior they are observing. this is a
great way to study behavior in "real
settings" and to see behavior occur in its
most natural state.

10. CASE STUDY METHOD
Case study method is a descriptive record of one or more
individual s experiences and behavior (often only one person or
a single small group).
Mostly case studies are conducted on individuals who are
experiencing unusual situations or who are going through a
difficult phase in their lives.
Freud wrote case studies of some of his patients, and used them
to develop his theories of personality.
An interesting example of case study is Phineas Gage. His
though and emotions were extensively studied by cognitive
psychologist after a railroad spike was blasted through his skull
in an accident. It did provide an early evidence that the brain s
frontal lobe is involved in emotion and morality.

11. CASE STUDIES (CONTINUED…)
Advantages:
1. Amount of detail it provides
2. The only way to get certain kind of information
3. Study things that are rare
Disadvantages:
1. Observer bias
2. Don't know if the cases studied generalize to
larger population
3. May not be representative of condition, event;
subject to misinterpretation by experimenter

12. SURVEY METHOD
Survey: a research tool that uses interviews and/or
questionnaires to gather information about attitudes,
beliefs, experiences or behaviors of a large group.
A survey may focus on factual information about
individuals, or it might aim to collect the “opinions” of
the survey takers.
After participants answer the questions, researcher
describes the responses given.
In order for the survey to be both reliable and valid it is
important that the questions are constructed properly.
Questions should be written so they are clear and easy
to comprehend.
Sample
Population

13. Population of the
study
The entire group of interest to researcher and
to which they wish to generalize findings; a
group from which a sample is chosen
In survey method the research extracts a sample (representative/small group)
out of a population to conduct a survey because too large population can not
be studied.
The portion of the population selected for
study and from which generalizations are
made about the population
Sample of the study

14. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
An experiment is a study of cause and effect.
It differs from non-experimental methods in
that it involves the deliberate manipulation of
one variable, while trying to keep all other
variables constant.
What is a variable actually?
A variable is something that can be changed,
such as a characteristic or value. Variables are
generally used in psychology experiments to
determine if changes to one thing result in
changes to another.

15. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD (CONTINUED…)
Dependent
variable
Types of variables in experimental method:
Independent
variable
It is the input variable that is
controlled and manipulated by the
experimenter to cause change in
dependent variable.
It is the output variable that is measured
by the experimenter. It tells about the
effect produced by independent variable
on it.
Causes
change
Cause and Effect Relationship

16. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD (CONTINUED…)
Experimental group:
In an experiment, there is a group of
participants that is exposed to the
independent variable or treatment to find the
output variable.
For-example
We want to investigate which method is more
successful at teaching children to read. The
teaching method is the independent variable. The
children's reading ability depends on the teaching
method used that is the dependent variable.

17. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD (CONTINUED…)
Advantages:
1. Experiments are the only means by which
cause and effect can be established.
2. It allows for precise control of variables.
3. Experiments can be replicated
Disadvantages:
1. Experimenter effect
2. Artificiality
3. Known response from the participant

18. CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
A Research tool that finds a relationship between two
variables that are to be studied. It gives an indication
of how one variable may predict another.
It finds the ”strength of relationship” between two
variables.
For-example:
Self esteem Vs Loneliness
Are you lonely because you have a low self-esteem?
OR
You have low self-esteem because you are alone?

19. TYPES OF CORRELATION
There are three types of descriptive research methods in psychology:
1. Positive correlation
2. Negative correlation
3. No correlation

20. POSITIVE CORRELATION
In this correlation both variables increase or decrease at the same
time.
For-example:
More studying
hours
More Grade Point
Average (GPA)
Less studying
hours
Less Grade Point
Average (GPA)
OR

21. NEGATIVE CORRELATION
In this correlation the amount of one variable increases and the other
decreases.
For-example:
More playing
hours
Less Grade Point
Average (GPA)
Less playing
hours
More Grade Point
Average (GPA)
OR

22. NO CORRELATION
In this correlation Indicates no relationship between the two variables.
For-example:
Size of video
game player
Grade Point
Average (GPA)

23. CORRELATION (CONTINUED…)
Advantages:
1. Calculating the strength of a relationship.
2. Useful as a pointer for further, more detailed
research i-e “Predictor”
Disadvantages:
1. Cannot assume cause and effect, strong
correlation between variables may be misleading.
2. Lack of correlation may not mean there is no
relationship, it could be non-linear.