Unit 1 Chapter 2.1

1. Unit 1Chapter 2.1 What is Research? Psychology 1st and 6th Mr. Young

3. Essential Questions • How do Psychologists choose from one of the many different methods of research?

4. I CAN: • Describe the process of psychological research and the scientific method • Name the different types of psychological research.

5. Pre-Research Decisions • Must first ask specific questions about a limited topic or hypothesis • Then need to look for evidence

6. Samples • The small group of people out of total number of population

7. Types of Samples • Representative Sample- sample of population must be fair

8. Representative Samples • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZO_T1RaETs • 2 min.

9. Nonrepresentative Sample • Not on target with sample

10. Samples Cont. Two ways to avoid: • Random sample so each person has equal chance of being picked • Can also deliberately pick individual

11. Stratified Sample • subgroups in the population are represented proportionately in the sample

12. Methods of Research • Goals of Research: • Describe Behavior • Explain its Causes • Predict circumstances • Control the behaviors

13. Describe Behavior

14. Explain its Causes

15. Predict the Circumstances

16. Control/Influence the Behavior

17. Methods of Research Cont • Naturalistic Observation • Case Studies • Surveys • Longitudinal Studies • Cross-Sectional Studies • Correlations and Explanations • Experiments

18. Naturalistic Observations • Psychologists observe the subject in a natural setting without interfering • Most basic of Research • Do not disturb the animal or person you are observing

19. Case Studies • An intensive study of a group or person • Can be powerful research tool • Cannot prove or disprove anything by itself

20. Surveys • One of most practical ways to find some basic beliefs of people • Method of asking many individuals a fixed set of questions • Examples: Interviews, questionnaries

21. Longitudinal Studies • Psychologist studies the same group of people at regular intervals over a period of years to determine their behavior and/or feelings have changed and how • Very expensive and time-consuming

22. Cross-Sectional Studies • Data is collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn • Less expensive and time-consuming than longitudinal studies

23. Correlations and Explanations • Measures relationship between two variables and how they relate to each other

24. Positive Correlation • one variable increases the chances of another

25. Negative Correlation • one variable decreases the chances of another • Correlations do not identify what causes what

26. Experiments • Experiments allow people to control the situation and environment • Experiments have hypothesis- or educated guess, to what the outcome is

27. Variables in Experiments • Variable- conditions and behaviors that are subject to change

28. Independent Variable • Independent- is the one experimenters change or alter so as to observe effects

29. Dependent Variable • changes in relation to the independent variable

30. Experimental Group • Experimental group- group exposed to independent variable

31. Control Group • Control group- treated same as experimental group except not exposed to the independent variable • Results of an experiment must be replicated before it can be considered legit

32. Ethical Issues • Methods of conduct, or standards, for proper and responsible behavior. • In 2002, The APA revised the ethics of psychology

33. Essential Questions • How do Psychologists choose from one of the many different methods of research?