Chapter two: Research Methodology
- Empericism: gain accurate knowledge about behavior and mental processes
only by observing the world and measuring aspects of it.
The four primary goals of science are:
Description: describe what a phenomenon is.
Prediction: predict when it will occur.
Control: control what causes it to occur.
Explanation: explain why it occurs.
Examples:
- Description: How many people really text while driving?
- Prediction: Under what circumstances are people likely to text while driving?
- Control: How can we know that texting is the source of the problematic
driving?
- Explanation: Why interferes texting with driving?
Describe the scientific method
- Scientific method: a systematic and dynamic procedure of observing and
measuring phenomena, used to achieve the goals of description, prediction,
control and explanation; it involves an interaction between research, theories,
and hypotheses.
Why was Freud’s theory of dreams not a good theory?
It did not yield testable hypotheses.
In the scientific method, what do you call a specific, testable prediction?
hypothesis
Differentiate between theories, hypotheses, and research
- Theory: a model of interconnected ideas or concepts that explains what is
observed and makes predictions about future events. Theories are based on
empirical evidence.
, - Research: a scientific process that involves the careful collection, analysis,
and interpretation of data.
- Hypothesis: a specific, testable prediction, narrower than the theory it is based
on.
Why is considering context important for replications?
People change over time and may differ across circumstances, such as different
cultures. Such changes and differences may affect study results.
Why is peer review important in the research cycle?
It helps ensure that studies have been well designed, conducted in an ethical
manner, and address an important question.
Distinguish between descriptive studies, correlational studies, and
experiments.
- Descriptive studies: describe what is occurring. Research methods that involve
observing behavior to describe that behavior objectively and systematically.
- Correlational studies: test the relationship between factors. A research method
that describes and predicts how variables are naturally related in the real
world, without any attempt by the researcher to alter them or assign causation
between them.
- Experimental studies: A research method that tests causal hypotheses by
manipulating and measuring variables.
Suppose a study finds that hair length has a negative correlation with body weight:
People with shorter hair weigh more. Should you grow your hair to lose weight?
No, because correlation doesn’t equal causation. Other variables could be affecting
this relationship. For example, a person’s sex is a third variable. Men typically have
shorter hair and weigh more.
Suppose that students who know they are in a study of race relations are careful to
avoid saying anything offensive. What concern might you have about this study?
The study results-the participants behaviors are possibly being affected by reactivity.
What is a major limitation of case studies?
Their findings might not generalize, or apply, to people beyond the particular case.
List the advantages and disadvantages of different research methods.
Disadvantages:
- Descriptive research: can’t achieve the goals of control and explanation.
Reactivity, observer bias and experimenter expectancy effect.
- Correlation studies: the directionality problem and third variable problem.
- Experimental studies: confound, such as changes in time or day.
Advantages:
- Descriptive research: asses many types of behavior.
- Empericism: gain accurate knowledge about behavior and mental processes
only by observing the world and measuring aspects of it.
The four primary goals of science are:
Description: describe what a phenomenon is.
Prediction: predict when it will occur.
Control: control what causes it to occur.
Explanation: explain why it occurs.
Examples:
- Description: How many people really text while driving?
- Prediction: Under what circumstances are people likely to text while driving?
- Control: How can we know that texting is the source of the problematic
driving?
- Explanation: Why interferes texting with driving?
Describe the scientific method
- Scientific method: a systematic and dynamic procedure of observing and
measuring phenomena, used to achieve the goals of description, prediction,
control and explanation; it involves an interaction between research, theories,
and hypotheses.
Why was Freud’s theory of dreams not a good theory?
It did not yield testable hypotheses.
In the scientific method, what do you call a specific, testable prediction?
hypothesis
Differentiate between theories, hypotheses, and research
- Theory: a model of interconnected ideas or concepts that explains what is
observed and makes predictions about future events. Theories are based on
empirical evidence.
, - Research: a scientific process that involves the careful collection, analysis,
and interpretation of data.
- Hypothesis: a specific, testable prediction, narrower than the theory it is based
on.
Why is considering context important for replications?
People change over time and may differ across circumstances, such as different
cultures. Such changes and differences may affect study results.
Why is peer review important in the research cycle?
It helps ensure that studies have been well designed, conducted in an ethical
manner, and address an important question.
Distinguish between descriptive studies, correlational studies, and
experiments.
- Descriptive studies: describe what is occurring. Research methods that involve
observing behavior to describe that behavior objectively and systematically.
- Correlational studies: test the relationship between factors. A research method
that describes and predicts how variables are naturally related in the real
world, without any attempt by the researcher to alter them or assign causation
between them.
- Experimental studies: A research method that tests causal hypotheses by
manipulating and measuring variables.
Suppose a study finds that hair length has a negative correlation with body weight:
People with shorter hair weigh more. Should you grow your hair to lose weight?
No, because correlation doesn’t equal causation. Other variables could be affecting
this relationship. For example, a person’s sex is a third variable. Men typically have
shorter hair and weigh more.
Suppose that students who know they are in a study of race relations are careful to
avoid saying anything offensive. What concern might you have about this study?
The study results-the participants behaviors are possibly being affected by reactivity.
What is a major limitation of case studies?
Their findings might not generalize, or apply, to people beyond the particular case.
List the advantages and disadvantages of different research methods.
Disadvantages:
- Descriptive research: can’t achieve the goals of control and explanation.
Reactivity, observer bias and experimenter expectancy effect.
- Correlation studies: the directionality problem and third variable problem.
- Experimental studies: confound, such as changes in time or day.
Advantages:
- Descriptive research: asses many types of behavior.
