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Psyc 1 - Research Methods

The document discusses various research methods in psychology, including naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys, correlational research, experimental research, and multimethod research. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, with naturalistic observation and case studies providing valuable insights but facing issues like observer bias. Surveys can generate useful information at a low cost, while experimental research is powerful but limited by the artificial settings in which it is conducted.

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7 views

Psyc 1 - Research Methods

The document discusses various research methods in psychology, including naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys, correlational research, experimental research, and multimethod research. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, with naturalistic observation and case studies providing valuable insights but facing issues like observer bias. Surveys can generate useful information at a low cost, while experimental research is powerful but limited by the artificial settings in which it is conducted.

Uploaded by

osoriogwyneth55
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Methods in Psychology Case Studies

- Can provide valuable insights


1. Naturalistic Observation - Case studies figure prominently in
psychological research
- Psychologists use naturalistic
3. Surveys
observation to study human or animal
behavior in its natural context.
- Surveys address the shortcomings of
- Observers must measure behavior in a
naturalistic observation and case
systematic way, for example, by devising
studies.
a form that enables them to check what
- In survey research, a carefully selected
people are doing at planned timed
group of people is asked a set of
intervals.
predetermined questions in face-to-face
- The main drawback in naturalistic
interviews or in questionnaires.
observation is observer bias.
- Surveys, even those with a low-response
Even psychologists who are trained
rate, can generate a great deal of
observers may subtly distort what they
interesting and useful information at
see to make it conform to what they
relatively low cost, but for results to be
were hoping to see.
accurate, researchers must pay close
Problem - psychologists may not observe or
attention to the survey questions.
record behavior that seems to be irrelevant.
- The people surveyed must be selected
Therefore, many observational studies employ a
with great care and be motivated to
team of trained observers who pool their notes.
respond to the survey thoughtfully and
This strategy often generates a more complete
carefully.
picture than one ober could draw alone.
- Often provides new ideas and suggests
Naturalistic observations, case studies, and surveys
new theories, which can then be studied are not ideal for making predictions, explaining, or
more systematically and in more detail determining the causes of behavior.
in the laboratory. For these purposes, psychologists use more powerful
- Helps researchers maintain their research methods.
perspective by reminding them of the
larger world outside the lab.
4. Correlational Research
2. Case Studies
- Correlation means that two phenomena
- A detailed description of one person or a seem to be related: When one goes up,
few individuals. the other goes up (or down).
- Uses a variety of methods to collect - Correlational research often sheds light
information that yields a detailed, on important psychological phenomena.
in-depth portrait of the individual. - These interesting findings allow us to
includes real-life observation, make some predictions, but
interviews, scores on various psychologists want to move beyond
psychological tests, and whatever other simply making predictions.
measures the researcher considers
revealing. 5. Experimental Research
- Observer bias is as much a problem here
as it is with naturalistic observation. - The experimental method is a powerful
Because each person is unique, we tool, but it, too, has limitations. First,
cannot confidently draw general many intriguing psychological variables,
conclusions from a single case. such as love, hatred, or grief, do not
readily lend themselves to experimental
manipulation.
- Second, because experiments are
conducted in an artificial setting,
participants-whether human or
nonhuman animals-may behave
differently than they would in real life.

6. Multimethod Research

- Use different methods of data collection


and analysis within a single research
paradigm.
- Use of methods that are broadly
compatible within a paradigm or a set of
beliefs and values.

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