Research Methods

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Research Methods
To collect data systematically and
objectively, psychologists use a variety of
research methods including:
• Naturalistic Observation
• Case Studies
• Surveys
• Surveys
• Correlational Research
• Experimental Research

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Research Methods in Psychology

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Naturalistic Observation
Observing and recording the behavior of
humans or animals in their natural
environment
Advantages
• Observed behavior is likely to be more
accurate, spontaneous and varied than in
a laboratory
Disadvantages
• Observer bias
• May not be able to generalize to other
settings or people

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Case Studies
Intensive description and analysis of a single
individual or a few individuals
Advantages
• Can yield a great deal of detailed, descriptive
information
Disadvantages
• The individual or group is unique – difficult to draw
conclusions from a single case
• an be time consuming and expensive
• Observer bias

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Surveys
A research technique in which questionnaires
or interviews are administered to a selected
group of people
Advantages
• Large quantity of information quickly
Relatively inexpensive
Disadvantages
• Must pay close attention to the survey questions
• Respondents may not be representative
• Response biases
• Truthfulness of responses

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Correlational Research
A research technique based on the
naturally occurring relationship
between two or more variables
Advantages
• Description and prediction are possible
Disadvantages
• Does not identify what causes a
relationship to exist

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Experimental Method
A research technique in which an
investigator deliberately manipulates
selected events or circumstances and
then measures the effects of those
manipulations on subsequent behavior

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Experimental Research
Independent variables
• The variable that is manipulated by
the experimenter to test its effects
Dependent variables
• The variable that is measured to see
how it is changed by the independent
variable

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Experimental Research
Experimental group
• The group subjected to a change in the
independent variable
Control group
• The group not subjected to a change in the
independent variable

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Experimental Research
Advantages
• Can draw conclusions about cause-and-effect
relationships
Disadvantages
• Lab setting may influence subjects’ behavior
• Unexpected and uncontrolled variables may confound
results
• All variables cannot be controlled and manipulated

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Chapter Review What is Psychology?
• How is psychology defined and what topics do they
study?
• Given the broad range of careers and interests, what
hold psychology together?

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Chapter Review
Psychology as a Science
• What features distinguish a scientific field from a field not
based in science?

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Chapter Review
Research Methods in Psychology
• Why is natural setting sometimes better than a laboratory
for observing behavior?
• When can a case study be most useful?
• What are some of the benefits of survey research?
• What is the difference between correlation and cause and
effect?
• What kinds of research questions are best studied by
experimental research?
• What does multimethod research allow psychologists to
do?
• How can sampling affect the results of a research study?