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Descriptive Studies. Scientists gather evidence to support their hypotheses by using DIFFERENT METHODS depending on What QUESTION they want to answer. Objectives . Discuss descriptive studies Describe case studies Analyze observational studies
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Descriptive Studies Scientists gather evidence to support their hypotheses by using DIFFERENT METHODS depending on What QUESTION they want to answer.
Objectives • Discuss descriptive studies • Describe case studies • Analyze observational studies • Compare and contrast Tests and surveys
Who’s going to participate?...Select participants • Subjects for the study. Scientist NEED FOR MEASUREMENTS • Representative sample- A group of participants that accurately represents the larger population the researcher is interested in. • F.E. drug use among college sophomores. • Not practical every soph in nation • So use selection process to ensure, gender, sociocultural, and religious div. • Tall order
Sample Size • Less important than reps. • Use who is available, college students • May be bad because sample is who is available
Descriptive Methods Objective#2 • Allow researchers to describe and predict behavior but not necessarily to choose one explanation over competing ones • Case studies(case history) detailed description of a particular individual, based on careful observation or on psychological testing
Case Studies: many examples in class • Info about childhood, dreams, experiences, relationships, hopes • Clinicians, academic researchers • Can children who miss out on language development catch up later? • Can’t isolate children then test • 13 yr old Genie; isolated beaten= No pronouns, past tense, possession
Positives/Negatives • Produce detailed picture of person • Good source of hypotheses, Extreme case can shed light on situation that is unethical in another form (genie) • DRAWBACKS: Info missing or hard to interpret, F.E. Genie mental defect? D.K. • Report selective memories, inaccurate memories. • Unrepresentative of the group, bias
2. Observational Studies#objective3 • Researcher observes, measures, records, behaviors while taking care to avoid intruding on the people (or animals) being observed • 2 unlike observational studies • Naturalistic Observation- find out how people or other animals act in their normal social environments • School, home, playgrounds, office • However need to be sneaky
On the other hand • Could Prefer laboratory observation- more control, sophisticated equipment, clear line of vision • F.E. measure how infants react when parents leave. • Bring kids in, parents can leave= measure • However lab setting= may act differently • More for describing than explaining behavior • Why kid cries not sure? Only based on observation not inside head
3. Tests • Psychological tests (assessment instruments) procedures for measuring and evaluating personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, interests, abilities and values • Objective tests- measure beliefs, feelings behaviors; which individual is aware • Projective tests- Tap unconscious feelings, motives (ink blot)
Qualities of a good tests/ types of tests • Personality test • Achievement test • Vocational aptitude test • Education, military, industry • Standardized- where uniform procedures exist for giving and scoring a test. • Norms- established standards of performance • Norms determine high and low
Qualities of a good test • Reliable- Must produce same results from time to time, 1 place to the next • Valid- Must measure what it is designed to measure • Criteria- Ability to predict independent measures • 7 types of lover in Cosmo…just some cool questions NOT good test!
Survey- #4 • Questionnaires, interviews, that gather information directly about their experiences, attitudes, opinions • F.E. Gallup or Roper Polls or FAMILY FUED • Positive- Big sample, internet, diverse • Ask directly
Negatives Surveys • Who are you polling? conservative talk show? • Volunteer bias-People who feel strongly may seek out surveys HOWEVER people feeling other way may not participate • People lie! Especially touchy sub. • F.E. Alfred Kinsey. How many times have you masturbated? Vs. have you ever masturbated
QUESTIONS? • Compare and contrast Objective/ Subjective tests • Describe case studies; observations (2), surveys