Research+Methods

=Research Methods Unit=

Essential questions:

 * What considerations must a psychologist make when setting up a research experiment?
 * What are the strengths and limitations of an experimental design compared to a more qualitative approach?
 * How can statistics be applied to interpret data?
 * What is the importance of a representative sample – and how can one be obtained?

Learning objectives

 * 1) Define the aim of a study.
 * 2) State a research and null hypothesis of a study.
 * 3) State the independent and dependent variable in an experiment.
 * 4) State operational definitions of variables
 * 5) Describe potential confounding variables: Individual difference, artificiality, order effects, demand characteristics, experimenter expectancy, maturation, placebo effect.
 * 6) Explain the controls needed for an experiment: Random selection, counterbalancing, matched pairs design, single & double blind method.
 * 7) Explain effects of participant and researcher expectations and bias: Rosenthal & Jacobsen, Bright Rats/Dull Rats, demand characteristics (Orne)
 * 8) Discuss the strengths and limitations of experimental designs: Independent samples, repeated measures.
 * 9) Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to quantitative research: self-selected, haphazard, opportunity, stratified, purposive, and random
 * 10) Explain the concept of representative sampling.

__Experimental__

 * Elements of**
 * Independent Variable (IV)
 * Dependent Variable (DV)
 * Control Condition
 * How to study and report**
 * A**--all --Aim
 * M**--mobile --Method
 * P**--phones --Procedure
 * R**--ring - -Results
 * C**--constantly - -Conclusion
 * E**--everywhere --Evaluation


 * Types**
 * Lab
 * Field
 * Natural

__**Non-Experimental (Qualitative)**__
 * Interviews
 * structured
 * semi-structured
 * Observations
 * Participant
 * Overt
 * Covert
 * Non-participant
 * Overt
 * Covert
 * Case Studies
 * Case Studies



Updated information on The Hawthorn Effect
Exam Review. By the end of the unit, you should be able to answer the questions on the review sheet below.