The Research Enterprise in Psychology

1
The Research Enterprise in Psychology

• Unit 1
• Chapter 2

2
Steps in a Scientific Investigation

• hypothesis- tentative statement about the
  relationship between two or more variables
• variables- any measurable conditions, events,
  characteristics, or behaviors that are controlled
  or observed in a study
• theory- set of interrelated ideas used to explain
  and connect known facts and predict events

3
Experiments
http//youtu.be/k2MhMsLn9B0

• experiments allow researchers to detect
  cause-and-effect relationships among variables
  and subjects
• independent variable- condition/event that is
  manipulated
• dependent variable- affected by manipulation of
  independent variable
• experimental group- subjects who receive special
  treatment through independent variable
• control group- subjects who do not receive
  special treatment

4
Other Research Methods

• Naturalistic Observation
• Researcher engages in careful observation of
  behavior without intervening directly with
  subjects
• Less artificial than experiments

• Case Studies
• in-depth investigation of an individual subject
• data collection methods include interviews,
  observations, and psychological testing
• popular among clinical psychologists
  investigating psychological disorders

http//youtu.be/BHA3YpjdqZs

• Surveys
• questionnaires or interviews that gather
  information about subjects background or behavior
• collect data on attitudes and opinions from large
  samples

http//youtu.be/KfOlPK2P_G8
http//youtu.be/kV3S0XCQsO4
5
Research Problems and Resolutions

• extraneous variables- any variable other than IV
  that influences DV
• confounding of variables- occurs when 2 variables
  are linked making it difficult to sort out their
  specific effects
• random assignment- all subjects have equal chance
  or being assigned to any group or condition in
  study

6
Looking for Flaws Evaluating Research
7
Know your terms

• Hypothesis
• IV
• DV
• Control Group
• Experimental Group

proposed explanation
variable the researcher controls/manipulates
response to the change in the independent
variable the measurements collected in the
experiment
subjects do not receive the independent variable
standard of comparison for the experimental group
subjects exposed to the independent variable the
test group
8
Quiz Practice
Students who study perform better in school.
Hypothesis If _______________________________,
then _______________________________________ IV
___________________ DV __________________ Contr
ol Group _____________________________ Experiment
al Group ________________________
a student studies
he/she will perform better in school
studying
grades/performance
students not studying
students studying
9
Conduct Your Own!

• First, pick a topic that interests your group.
• Formulate a hypothesis.
• MUST be a statement about the outcome you predict
  will occur.
• Choose a method
• Survey or naturalistic observation
• Collect your data
• Tally marks work great!
• Analyze Data Draw Conclusions
• Create a chart/graph to represent the data you
  collected
• Draw 2-3 conclusions on why you think people
  responded or behaved in certain ways.
• Report your Findings
• Include a final statement about your results
• State whether your hypothesis was supported or
  rejected.
• Last, turn in to basket with all members names.