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Cultural Context Theories are becoming increasingly complex Temporal (time-related) characteristics of knowledge Ethnocentrism – when we attempt to understand the behavior of people in a different culture through the view of our own culture
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Chapter 2 The Research Process
Text: Zechmeister, J. S., Zechmeister, E. B., & Shaughnessy, J. J. (2001). Essentials of research methods in Psychology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research Question
Develop a Research QuestionCultural Context
Theories are becoming increasingly complex
Temporal (time-related) characteristics of knowledge
Ethnocentrism – when we attempt to understand the behavior of people in a different culture through the view of our own culture
Develop a Research QuestionSearch the Psychological Literature
The answer to your question may already be there
Science is cumulative – current research builds on previous research
Electronic databasesRead the articles – not just the Abstract
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research Hypothesis
Forming Theories and Hypotheses
Research hypothesis is a tentative
explanation for a phenomenon
Hypothesis: based on a theory, a
prediction about the outcome of research
Forming Theories and Hypotheses
TheoriesIdeas about how nature worksGuides research by suggesting hypotheses
Function is to guide research and organize empirical knowledge
The greater the scope of a theory, the more complicated it is likely to be
Forming Theories and Hypotheses
TheoriesSuggest testable hypotheses
Research hypothesis – potential explanation
We empirically test hypotheses to look for support or disconfirmation of a theory
Is the theory logical?Best theories are parsimonious - simple
Forming Theories, Hypotheses, and Operational DefinitionsHypotheses
Testable hypotheses have clearly defined concepts, are not circular, and refer to concepts that can be observed
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational Definitions
Forming Operational Definitions
Operational DefinitionsDefine a concept solely in terms of the “operations” (or methods) used to produce and measure it
Once defined, no disagreement about what the concept means, according to this definition for this study
Identify variables (factors that vary)
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research Design
Choose a Research DesignPlan for answering a research question
Four types of designs:Observational and CorrelationalExperimentalQuasi-experimentalSingle-case designs
Observational and Correlational Research Designs
Description and predictionResearcher does not attempt to control or manipulate characteristics of the participants or the setting
Select a sample, then observe and measure variables = assigning numbers to observations
Causation is not addressed
Experimental DesignsTo answer questions about the causes of
phenomenaMaximize control over variables in the
experimentIndependent variable – controlled or
manipulated by the researcherDependent variable – depends on how the
independent variable is manipulatedMost powerful designs for measuring cause-
and-effect
Quasi-experimental designs
Not able to control all
aspects of the environment
Single-case designsMost often used in clinical contexts
Baseline-treatment-baselineObserve behavior as it naturally occurs
Control as many aspects of the treatment situation as possible
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the Ethics
Evaluate the Ethics of ResearchRisk/BenefitCommittees at universities and hospitals for the purpose of considering ethical issues associated with research
Participant welfare
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the EthicsCollect Data
Collect DataIdentify the sampleRandom selectionObservation/measurement
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the EthicsCollect DataAnalyze Data and Form Conclusions
Analyze Data/Form ConclusionsData analysis – summarize
individuals’ responses and determine whether data supports the hypothesis
Stages:Get to know the dataSummarize the dataConfirm what the data reveal
Steps of the Research ProcessDevelop a Research QuestionGenerate a Research HypothesisForm Operational DefinitionsChoose a Research DesignEvaluate the EthicsCollect DataAnalyze Data and Form ConclusionsReport Research Results
Report Research Results
Conferences
Peer review journals
End of Unit 2 Seminar! Questions???
Congratulations! You have a broad
overview of research which will help
sort out what your Unit 2 Project entails.
See you on the Discussion Board!
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