RESEARCH STRATEGIES

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior.

Psychology is the study of the mind.
Psychology is an approach understanding behavior that uses scientific methods.
Psychology does not give definitive answers to offer the ultimate explanation of events or human behavior.
It offers the best possible explanations of how human beings act, think, feel given the state of knowledge as it
exists at that time.

Research in psychology strives to achieve two goals:

1.) To collect evidence and facts upon which to base Psychological theories.
2.) To find ways in measuring and analyzing behavior.

THREE RESEARCH STRATEGIES

Descriptive Research
It describes some phenomenon, more structuredbased on theory.
Qualitative studies which refer to meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols,
description of things.
Methods: Observation, surveys, interviews, case studies
1.) Observational Studies
Effective observations should be systematic:
Have some idea of what you are looking for
Know whom you are observing
When and where to observe
How the observations will be made
In what form they will be recorded (writing, tape recording, video, etc.)
Where To Do Observational Studies
1.) Laboratory: Controlled setting with many of the complex factors of the real world removed.
2.) Naturalistic: Observing in a real world setting, making no effort to manipulate or control situations.
Types Of Observational Studies
1.) Unstructured Observations: The observer simply keeps some record of what they saw at particular time
during the study.
2.) Participant Observations: The researcher is in close involvement with the day to day lives of the person he or
she is studying. Observers actually take part in the same activities (or other environment) as the person study.
3.) Systematic Observations: Often the starting point of scientific investigations under more controlled
conditions.
Event Sampling used to record responses to events of interest, frequency of occurrence of events in a
particular situation
Time-based Sampling how often do events occur and when they occur (systematic or random)
Situation Sampling studying behavior in different circumstance, locations and conditions and often
with different participants.
2.) Case Studies
In depth look at a single individual or case.
Performed for practical or ethical reasonsthe unique aspects of an individuals life cannot be duplicated or
tested in other individuals.
Information collected: fears, hopes, fantasies, traumatic experiences, upbringing, family relationships, heath
records.
Provide dramatic, in depth portrayals of peoples lives.
!!! Be CAUTIOUS about generalizinga case study is UNIQUE.
3.) Surveys and Interviews
The researcher seeks peoples responses to questions regarding their beliefs and opinions at a particular time
and place.
Interview involves directly asking respondents their experiences, attitudes, and opinions.
Questionnaires similar to structured interviews except that respondents mark their answers on paper rather
than verbally responding to an interviewer.

4.) Correlational Studies

Aims to investigate whether or not two (or more) measured quantities seem to occur together in people
The goal is to describe the strength of relationship between two or more events or characteristics
The more strongly the two events are correlated (related/associated) the more effectively we can predict one
event from the other.
!!! Correlation is NOT causation.

5.) Experimental Research

A carefully regulated procedure in which one or more factors believed to influence the behavior being studied
are manipulated while all other factors are held constant.
If the behavior under study changes when a factor is manipulated:
a) The manipulated factor has caused the behavior to change
b) The cause is the factor that was manipulated, the effect is the behavior that changed because of the
manipulation

5.) Experimental
Independent Variable: Factor which is manipulated to determine its effects; potential cause.
Dependent Variable: Factor which changes in response to changes in IV; what is measured.
Experimental Group: A group whose experience is manipulated
Control Group: As much like the experimental group as possible and is treated in every way like the
experimental group except for the manipulated factor. Baseline; point of comparison.
Random Assignment: assign participants through chance.