21
Module 2 Research Strategies How Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions -I-

Module 2 Research Strategies How Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions -I-

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Module 2

Research StrategiesHow Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions

-I-

Our intuition and common sense

Hindsight Bias we tend to believe, after learning an

outcome, that we would have foreseen it the “I-knew-it-all-along” phenomenon

Overconfidence we tend to think that we know more than

we do

Perceiving order in random events Our eagerness to make sense of the

world

We overestimate our own intuition

Thinking Critically With Psychological Science

To believe with certainty, we must begin by doubting

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions examines assumptions identifies hidden values evaluates evidence assesses conclusions

The Scientific Method

The Process of Research Observing a phenomenon Formulating an idea Testing an idea Generalizing or refining the idea

The Scientific Method Formulating an idea

Initial phase of research, in which observations, beliefs, information, and general knowledge lead to a new idea or a different way of thinking about some phenomenon

Testing an idea Organizing countless observations into a theory Formulating testable predictions: hypotheses Testing the hypotheses

Using operational definitions of concepts Generalizing or refining the idea

The Scientific Method

Theory an explanation that integrates principles and

organizes and predicts behavior or events. Theory explains the underlying reason of the observed

phenomenon Produce hypotheses

Hypothesis a testable prediction, often prompted by a theory, to enable us to accept, reject or revise the theory.

The Scientific Method

WHY?

Theory explains the

underlying reason

Testing hypotheses using operational definitions Operational Definition

a statement of procedures (operations) used to define research variables

Also enables other researchers to replicate example-

intelligence may be operationally defined as the score obtained from the intelligence test measures

Psychological well-being can be operationally defined as high level of life satisfaction and low depression.

Academic success can be operationally defined as GPA.

The Scientific Method

Replication repeating the essence of a research study

to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

usually with different participants in different situations

the research findings can be generalizable to other samples/situations.

Methods of psychology

1. Description (to describe) 2. Correlation (to predict) 3. Experimentation (to understand)

Methods of psychology

1. To describe human and animal behavior and mental processes, psychologists conduct:

• Case studies• Surveys• Observations (naturalistic / lab)

DescriptionCase Study

observation technique in which on individual (or few incidences) are studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principals Studies of brain damaged individuals Piaget

Suggest hypotheses for further studies

Problems?? May be unrepresentative

DescriptionSurvey

Looks at many cases with less depth. Ask people to report thier behaviors or

opinions.

Market surveys Koç University student satisfaction survey

Problems??

Who do we survey? Usually question a representative, random

sample of people seleced from a population. Population

all the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study

Random Sample a sample that fairly represents a population

because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

How do we ask questions?If there is a serious fuel

shortage this winter, do you think there should be a law requiring people to lower the heat in their homes, or do you oppose such a law?

Should be 39.4 %

Oppose 60.6 %

If there is a serious fuel shortage this winter, do you think there should be a law requiring people to lower the heat in their homes, or do you oppose such a law because it would be too difficult to enforce?

Should be 26.0 %

Oppose 74.0 %

Description

Naturalistic Observation observing and recording behavior in naturally

occurring situations (or in more controlled environments) without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Dating behaviors of Koç University students?

Problems?

Methods of psychology

2. To predict human and animal behavior and mental processes, psychologists conduct - Correlational studies: the examination of the

quantitative relationships between two or more variables

how does one behavior relate to the occurrence of another behavior?

if we know one behavior’s pattern can we then, in turn, predict the pattern of occurrence of another behavior?

Variable Defined Any characteristic or attribute that varies in

amount and kind Gender Success Weight, Height Self-esteem Reaction time in a learning experiment Intelligence Achievement motivation

Correlation Correlation Coefficient

a statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well either factor predicts the other

Correlation coefficient

Indicates directionof relationship

(positive or negative)

Indicates strengthof relationship(0.00 to 1.00)

r = +.37

Correlation does not imply causation

Three Possible Cause-Effect Relationships(1)

Low self-esteemDepression

(2)Depression

Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem

Depression

(3)Distressing events

or biologicalpredisposition

could cause

could cause

could cause

or

or

and