Chapter 2: The Research Enterprise in Psychology
Cheat sheet: pages 64-65
Lecture: Research Methods
Def.: Various approaches to the observation, measurement, manipulation and control
of variables in empirical studies
(see pages 48-49)
Method matters
How to start?
Deductive (top-down)
Theory checked by observation
Inductive (bottom-up)
Observation, recognize pattern to dev. a theory
Scientific Methods
● Identify the problem
● Formulate hypothesis: social psychologists didn’t believe in dehumanization in bigger
cities, conceived theory that the more people around an incident, the less they will
intervene, diffusion of responsibility
● Select research method and design the study: (ex. Bystander Apathy) test hypo.,
create emergency setting in lab, 3 conditions…
Condition 1: Participant and victim
Condition 2: Participant, victim and stranger
Condition 3: Participant, victim and 4 strangers
● Collect data to analyze and draw conclusion
● Communicate results through peer-reviewed journals, report the findings, publish or
perish
Advantages: clarity and precision, intolerance to error
The Research Article
Abstract: summary, lets reader decide if the article is in their relevant interest
Introduction: outlining problem, identifying theory and prev. research, hypothesis
Method: describes research, participants, what was required of them, scenarios, equipment
(very detailed)
Results: crunching numbers, statistical analysis techniques and presenting information
Discussion: offer interpretation, guidance and suggestions for future research, remaining
questions, limitations and issues
References: reference for other studies mentioned
Terms:
Variables: characteristics that can differ, has to be persuasive; any measurable condition,
vent, characteristic, or behaviour that is controlled/ observed in a study
Operational definitions: defining the variable to be objectively measure and observe a theory
Sampling:
-population (researcher is interested in drawing a conclusion) vs. sample
, -representative sample: generalized results, similar variables,
Techniques that allow likelihood of accurate representation:
-random sampling: variables even out
-convenience samples: research is time consuming and expensive
Participant: person whose behaviour is systematically observed in a study
Data collection techniques: procedures for making empirical observations and
measurements
Experimental Methods
Advantages: permits conclusions and cause-and-effect relations between variables
Disadvantages: limitations, often artificial (addressed by field experiments), can’t
always be sued to explore research questions
Textbook def.: Research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable
under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any changes occur in the 2nd
variable as a result
Prof def.: Trying to explain phenomena; identify causal relationships lets us control
and manipulate situation to measure responses
Random Assignment is necessary for accurate results and representative samples
Independent variable: manipulated variable
Dependent variable: measured variable
*not all variables can be manipulated (ex. ethical or logistical reasons)
Experimental Group: exposed to manipulation/condition, receive special treatment in
regard to the independent variable
Controlled Group: no manipulation/condition, do not receive special treatment in regard to
the independent variable
Extraneous variables: any variables other than independent that seem to influence
the dep. variable
Confounding of variables: when 2 variables are linked in a way that makes it difficult
to sort out their specific effects
Random assignment: when all participants have a equal chance of being assigned to
any group or condition in the study
What about quality? —> Reliability, consistency
Internal Validity: degree to which changes in the DV are brought about by changes in the IV
External Validity: degree to which the results of the study can be generalized beyond the
specifics of the study to other participants/settings/conditions
Placebo effects:Those who take the placebo, there is normally an improvement in their
symptomatology without actual medication
Experimenter bias: need to obtain research funding, publish or perish pressure, hard to find
statistically significant results, influence the responses with attitude, normally subconscious
Blind procedure: participant doesn’t know what condition they are in
Double-blind procedures: experimenter and participant doesn’t know what condition they are
in
Descriptive and Correlational Methods
Cheat sheet: pages 64-65
Lecture: Research Methods
Def.: Various approaches to the observation, measurement, manipulation and control
of variables in empirical studies
(see pages 48-49)
Method matters
How to start?
Deductive (top-down)
Theory checked by observation
Inductive (bottom-up)
Observation, recognize pattern to dev. a theory
Scientific Methods
● Identify the problem
● Formulate hypothesis: social psychologists didn’t believe in dehumanization in bigger
cities, conceived theory that the more people around an incident, the less they will
intervene, diffusion of responsibility
● Select research method and design the study: (ex. Bystander Apathy) test hypo.,
create emergency setting in lab, 3 conditions…
Condition 1: Participant and victim
Condition 2: Participant, victim and stranger
Condition 3: Participant, victim and 4 strangers
● Collect data to analyze and draw conclusion
● Communicate results through peer-reviewed journals, report the findings, publish or
perish
Advantages: clarity and precision, intolerance to error
The Research Article
Abstract: summary, lets reader decide if the article is in their relevant interest
Introduction: outlining problem, identifying theory and prev. research, hypothesis
Method: describes research, participants, what was required of them, scenarios, equipment
(very detailed)
Results: crunching numbers, statistical analysis techniques and presenting information
Discussion: offer interpretation, guidance and suggestions for future research, remaining
questions, limitations and issues
References: reference for other studies mentioned
Terms:
Variables: characteristics that can differ, has to be persuasive; any measurable condition,
vent, characteristic, or behaviour that is controlled/ observed in a study
Operational definitions: defining the variable to be objectively measure and observe a theory
Sampling:
-population (researcher is interested in drawing a conclusion) vs. sample
, -representative sample: generalized results, similar variables,
Techniques that allow likelihood of accurate representation:
-random sampling: variables even out
-convenience samples: research is time consuming and expensive
Participant: person whose behaviour is systematically observed in a study
Data collection techniques: procedures for making empirical observations and
measurements
Experimental Methods
Advantages: permits conclusions and cause-and-effect relations between variables
Disadvantages: limitations, often artificial (addressed by field experiments), can’t
always be sued to explore research questions
Textbook def.: Research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable
under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any changes occur in the 2nd
variable as a result
Prof def.: Trying to explain phenomena; identify causal relationships lets us control
and manipulate situation to measure responses
Random Assignment is necessary for accurate results and representative samples
Independent variable: manipulated variable
Dependent variable: measured variable
*not all variables can be manipulated (ex. ethical or logistical reasons)
Experimental Group: exposed to manipulation/condition, receive special treatment in
regard to the independent variable
Controlled Group: no manipulation/condition, do not receive special treatment in regard to
the independent variable
Extraneous variables: any variables other than independent that seem to influence
the dep. variable
Confounding of variables: when 2 variables are linked in a way that makes it difficult
to sort out their specific effects
Random assignment: when all participants have a equal chance of being assigned to
any group or condition in the study
What about quality? —> Reliability, consistency
Internal Validity: degree to which changes in the DV are brought about by changes in the IV
External Validity: degree to which the results of the study can be generalized beyond the
specifics of the study to other participants/settings/conditions
Placebo effects:Those who take the placebo, there is normally an improvement in their
symptomatology without actual medication
Experimenter bias: need to obtain research funding, publish or perish pressure, hard to find
statistically significant results, influence the responses with attitude, normally subconscious
Blind procedure: participant doesn’t know what condition they are in
Double-blind procedures: experimenter and participant doesn’t know what condition they are
in
Descriptive and Correlational Methods
