research methods

• Developing a research question or problem

  Helps to narrow the focus of the study
• Psychology uses specific procedures for gaining knowledge, it is a commonly used approach that underlies rigorous research across the sciences, especially experimentation
• Psychology


  The scientific study of human mental states and behaviour
• All investigations in Psychology include creating an aim and at least one hypothesis
• Non-science


  Ideas formed without empirical evidence or the use of scientific methods or principles
• Non-science makes claims that cannot be verified through observation or evidence, therefore it cannot be proven wrong
• Models and Theories

  Explain psychological phenomena
• Science


  • Employs systematic methodologies such as experiments, observation, and hypothesis testing
• Variables

  Independent - the cause (changes), Dependent - the effect (recorded), Controlled - the constant, Operationalising - how the variables are manipulated or measured
• Pseudoscience


  A non-science that does not use the methods of science
• Empirical evidence


  Information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation
• Controlled experiments are the most scientifically rigorous and strict research methodologies
• Controlled experiment

  An investigation in which the relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment, controlling all other variables
• Operationalising variables


  Specifying exactly how the variables will be manipulated or measured
• Controlled experiments involve an Independent Variable manipulated by the researcher and a Dependent Variable measured by the researcher to see if the IV had an effect on the DV
• Science


  A field and practice that obtains knowledge and generates theories through observation and experiment
• A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation
• Groups or Conditions in experiments


  • Experimental Group/Condition (exposed to the Independent Variable)
  • Control Group/Condition (not exposed to the Independent Variable)
• Correlation measures the likelihood of variables occurring together predictably, while Causation indicates one variable causing a change in another
• Correlational Studies study the relationship between variables without controlling or manipulating them
• Most Case Studies involve rare or unethical situations for experiments
• Correlation is described between +1 and -1, indicating the strength and direction of the relationship between variables
• Controlled experiments are scientifically rigorous and strict research methodologies because they attempt to control for all other variables outside the Independent Variable
• Modelling is a method of study involving physical models
• If other variables influence the change in the Dependent Variable, a researcher cannot confidently state that the Independent Variable caused the change
• Fieldwork involves research with observation and interaction in real-world settings
• Case Studies involve an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or phenomenon with real or hypothetical situations
• Fieldwork has high ecological validity but difficulty in establishing cause and effect relationships and replicating results
• Controlled Experimental Designs

  1. Between Subjects Design (Participants allocated to only one condition)

  2. Within Subjects Design (Participants complete both conditions)

  3. Mixed Designs (Participants in both conditions for part of the experiment and in separate conditions for a related but different part of the experiment)
• Literature Review involves researching and analysing secondary data to answer questions and confirm hypotheses
• Types of Fieldwork

  • Direct observation
  • Qualitative interviews
  • Questionnaires
  • Focus groups
• Correlation and Causation can occur together, but Correlation does not always equal Causation
• Dependent Variable


  Something that is measured by the researcher to see if the Independent Variable had an effect on it
• Population


  The group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn
• Conceptual model


  • The multi-store model of memory to help explain different types of memory
• Modelling

  1. Physical model to help explain or understand a psychological phenomenon

  2. Conceptual model to help explain a psychological idea
• Sample


  A subset of the research population who participate in the study
• Physical model


  • A model of the human brain to help explain brain structures and functions
• Representative Sample

  A highly representative sample would reflect the makeup of the research population in terms of the proportions of relevant demographics and other characteristics relevant to the study
• Generalised results


  The ability for a sample's results to be used to make conclusions about the wider research population