Ch. 1-5, 7

• 6 major types of research design

  • Case study: n=1
  • survey/correlational study
  • naturalistic observation
  • archival study
  • experiment
  • quasi-experiment
• case study


  n=1
• survey/correlational


  collect & relate data (usually self-reports)
• naturalistic observation


  observe behavior in its natural setting
• archival study


  use pre-existing info
• experiment


  manipulated IV, control over extraneous variables
• quasi-experiment


  naturally occurring grouping variable, but analyzed like an experiment
• basic research


  describe, predict, & explain fundamental principles for better understanding (factors that lead to better memory

  organization); restricted primarily to theoretical

  understanding of a phenomenon (not that that

  is a bad thing!)
• applied research


  describe, predict, and explain/provide solutions to real world problems (factors that lead to errors in

  eyewitness memory); restricted only to setting that was

  tested; cannot make broad theoretical claims

  about a phenomenon
• Laboratory research


  Research conducted in the lab

  under controlled conditions; primarily for basic research;

  pros: systematic control over the entire experiment;

  cons: may be too artificial for any real-world applications
• Field research


  Research conducted in the

  community, environment, etc; primarily for applied research; research settings most closely catch the everyday situation; little

  control over the environment
• quantitative data

  data are collected and presented in forms of

  numbers (averages, percentages)
• qualitative data

  presenting info in terms of analytical narratives that summarize the findings (ex: detailed interview info, findings from observational studies. etc.)
• correlational study


  Only tells you how things are related or if they follow

  same pattern or a different pattern; (similarity across results=positive; different/no pattern in results=negative); correlation does NOT equal causation
• qualities of empirical questions


  1. Answerable with data
  2. terms precisely defined
• Operational definition


  A way to measure you DV; look at other research to define your variable as specific as possible;
• A good theory…

  • makes predictions abt phenomenon
  • testable
  • parsimonious (simple & concise)
  • falsifiable
• how would you operationally define the concept of shyness?

  • amt of eye contact when in convo w/ stranger who asks a series of prepared questions
  • amt of time btwn asking question and its answer by the other
  • certain score on standardized shyness scale
• Converging operations 


  Definitions reached by many investigations of construct

  • slightly different operational definitions & experimental procedures
  • all measures reach common conclusion about construct
  • aggression defined by # of aggressive behaviors observed, scores on attitudinal & behavioral questionnaires, etc.
• Functions of IRB


  Review proposals to protect rights and welfare of human participants
• Minimal risk


  Harm or discomfort experienced is not

  greater than what they might experience in daily lives or during routine physical/psychological tests.
• Written informed consent is essential when participants are exposed to…


  more than minimal risk
• Ethics


  General principes & standards:

  • risk vs benefits
  • fidelity & responsibility
  • integrity
  • justice
  • rights & dignity
• Informed consent


  Documented description of the research project before participation;

  • Briefly describes purpose of the study
  • Describes potential risks, discomforts, adverse effects
  • Told that they may withdraw at any time without penalty
• Debriefing 


  Full disclosure of the nature of the study

  • dehoax
  • desensitize
• dehoax


  reveal true purpose of study
• desensitize


  remove harmful effects/negative feelings from participants
• Ways of Knowing

  • tenacity
  • authority
  • reason & logic
  • empiricism
  • science
• tenacity


  repetitive claims
• authority 


  font of truth; basing beliefs of what we’re told

  • pro: brings stablity & consistency
  • cons: authorities can be wrong
• reason & logic


  deductive reasoning

  • “ (A) Primates are capable of using language. (B) Bozo the chimp is a primate. (C) Bozo the chimp can use language.
  • cons: intial assumptions may be incorrect; no way to check accuracy
• Empiricism


  Process of learning via direct observations or experience

  • “weather in NC is cold!”
  • cons: experiences limited to our interpretation; influenced by various biases (belief perseverance, confirmation bias, availability heuristic)
• Belief perseverance


  holding firm to one’s beliefs; formed from hearing repeatedly about some “truth”, in the

  absence of contrary information
• confirmation bias


  tendency to search out information that supports one’s beliefs while ignoring contrary information
• availability heuristic


  Experiencing very memorable event and then overestimating the probability of its future occurrence
• Scientific thinking (how science is defined)


  set of procedures to provide a convincing argument

  • objective
  • data-driven
  • empirical questions answered through observation & experiences
  • determinism & discoverability
• card trick!


  look over falsification cards !!
• 4 basic cannons of science

  • determinism
  • empiricism
  • parsimony
  • testability
• determinism


  Events have causes -> actions & events follow certain

  rules & are therefore predictable.
• empiricism


  Method of making observations (the BEST method).