PSYC 374 Lab Research Methods Review. Much of human history has been consumed with the search for truth and knowledge. Two methods have been used … Philosophy:

PSYC 374 Lab

Research Methods Review

Much of human history has been consumed with the search for truth and knowledge. Two methods have been used…

Philosophy: The use of logicScience: The use of observationScience is organized knowledge.

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) English philosopher. Education.

Ways of Knowing

•Sensory Experience

•Agreement with others

•Expert Opinions

•Logic

What is “Knowing” anyway???????????

Science is the systematic classification of experience. George Henry Lewes (1817-78) English writer and critic.

Some Basic Definitions

Science: A body of established knowledge the goal of which is the generation and verification of theory…….

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith (1723-90) Scottish economist. The Wealth of Nations, 1776.

The four levels of Science…

a. Description

b. Explanation

c. Prediction

d. Control

Research: The systematic process of collecting, logically analyzing and interpreting information.

The information collected is referred to as “Data”. Researchers collect data using a variety of tools including:

Paper and pencil achievement tests, aptitude tests, personality inventories, questionnaires

Direct observation using checklists

Structured interviews and unstructured interviews with open-ended questions.

Equipment and tools to measure and record events.

Let’s take stock….do we have???

What do we have?? What can we get?

Data collection is systematic when researchers plan in advance:

What to observe;

Whom to observe;

When to observe; and

How to observe.

Source: Holcomb, Z.C. (2006)

Theory: A statement which describes the relationship among variables and seeks to provide a possible explanation or prediction of natural phenomena

[Science is] the literature of truth. Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818-85) U. S. humorist.

Scientific Inquiry“I know Plato and I know Aristotle, but my best friend is Truth”

Issac Newton

The search for knowledge using recognized methods of

data collection,

analysis, and

interpretation.

Scientific Method:

A sequence of events used in the pursuit of knowledge.

These include:Statement & Definition of the problem

Statement of a hypothesis

Collection and analysis of data

Interpretation of results and conclusions

[Science is] the labor and handicraft of the mind. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English essayist, philosopher, statesman.

Two Categories of Research

Qualitative Research

Words (Narrative)

Quantitative Research

numbers

Research Methodologies

a. Action Research

“Would discussion groups improve my students’ achievement in science?”

b. Historical Research

"The change in women's roles in Turkish literature:1850-1950“

c. Descriptive Research

"Characteristics of first year teachers in rural Turkish elementary schools.“

d. Correlational Research

"The relationship between academic performance and self-concept“

e. Causal-Comparative Research

"A comparative analysis of gender and mathematics performance in Geometry“

f. Experimental Research

"The effectiveness of token economies as a means of improving school attendance"

Action Research

Historical Research

Ethnographic Research

Descriptive Research

Correlational Research

Causal-Comparative Research

Differences in math achievement between males and females.

Types of Research

Experimental: cause/effect (strong)

Now for a little quiz

Historical Research,Qualitative Research,Descriptive Research,Correlational Research,Causal-comparative Research, orExperimental Research

Classify the following research studies according to the type of research methodology probably used.

Relationship between creativity and achievement.

Answer: Correlational Research




Effect of birth order on academic achievement.

Answer: Causal Comparative Research




Descriptive ResearchAnswer:

Opinions of 1st year psychology students regarding satisfaction with their classes.




Causal-comparativeAnswer:

Self-esteem of males versus females.




Experimental ResearchAnswer:

Effectiveness of lab exercises in improving student understanding of neuroscience concepts.

Generalizability:

The extent to which the findings of one study can be used as knowledge about another population or situation.

When the time comes…we’ll talk about the selection of a “representative” sample from a population. That’s so when we find something about the sample we can make statements about the population from which it came…….yea, yea, yea….Whatever!

VariablesEvents, conditions, or situation which influence the outcome

of a study…They can be categorized as:

a.Categorical e. Predictor

b.Continuous f. Criterion

c.Dependent g. Confounding

d.independent

Categorical VariablesCategorical variables, sometimes called discrete variables,

are those events or conditions that fit neatly into labeled boxes……

Examples would include:

Gender (Male/Female)

Residents of Istanbul and residents of Ankara

7th Graders / 8th Graders

Blood Groups (A, B, AB, O)

Continuous VariablesContinuous variables, are those events or conditions that can

take on many different values between upper and lower limits.

Examples would include:

Scores on test

Height, Weight, Distance or Length….

Walking/Running Speed, ….just about anything that can be measured…..

The Concept of "The Variable"

The independent variable: That which is manipulated by the researcher in an experimental study or controlled in some fashion in other studies.

The dependent variable: That which is seen to vary as a function of the independent variable.

Confounding Variable: Those factors which cannot be effectively controlled or manipulated and which my influence the outcome of a study.The Effects of Rap, Country,or Classical Background Music on

Students’ Test Performance in Mathematics.

What’s the independent variable????

What’s the dependent variable????

What are some possible confounding variables?????

Basic Research: Seeks to establish general theory or fundamental phenomena

"The Mating Behavior of the African Tse-Tse Fly"

Purposes of Research

Applied Research: Seeks verify or confirm Basic Research"The Introduction of Sterile Males as a Means of Controlling Tse-Tse Fly Infestations."

Evaluation Research: Seeks information for making decisions with more confidence."A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of two therapy programs for the treatment of reactive depression."

Research and Development (R&D): Seeks to develop and improve products."Consumer Preference in Automobile Styling."

Action Research: Seeks to find answers to common classroom problems."Does changing the sequence of topics improve achievement in a six week unit on weather?"

Four Steps of Research

1. Selection and definition of a problem

A hypothesis or research question is posed in such a

way that it can be tested or answered through the

collection and analysis of data.

[Science is] an imaginative adventure of the mind seeking truth in a world of mystery.

Sir Cyril Herman Hinshelwood (1897-1967) English chemist. Nobel prize 1956.

a. definition of a population

b. Selection of a sample

c. Selection or development of instruments

d. Collection of data according to specific procedures

2. Execution of research procedures. This step typically involves:

3. Analysis of data

This step involves subjecting the data to statistical analysis in such a way that the hypothesis or question can be tested or answered.

4. Drawing and stating conclusions

The conclusion of the study should focus on the meaning and significance of the study's findings.

Research Problem

Literature Review

Hypothesis

Research Question

Definitions

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Subjects

Instrumentation

Design/Procedures

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Data Analysis

Results

Discussion

1. Human Subjects

2. Public Institution

3. Complexity of Research Problems

4. Methodological Difficulties

Limitations of Psychological Research

Components of a Research Study

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Statement of Research Problem

4. Review of Literature

5. Statement of research hypotheses or questions

6. Methodology

a. Subjects

b. Instrumentation

c. Procedure

7. Results

8. Discussion, implications, conclusions

9. References

What will we be doing??Each of you will conduct a small study involving physiologic events and behavior…….How??1. Select a topic2. Write a proposal (prob, lit review, method)3. Defend the proposal4. Collect data5. Analyze data6. Prepare final research report (results,

discussion)7. Make a formal presentation to the class.

Ideas??? Where to begin….

Reaction time….variablesVisuopractic…tracking tasks performance…puzzles, mazes Sensory phenomena…acuity and sensitivity Kinesthetic sense…sensory limited navigation…

Cardiac rateBody temperatureSleep and biorhythm cycles

http://www.penguingames.info/yetisports-part-1-pengu-throw.php

http://www.learner.org/courses/neuroscience/interactives/interactive1.htmlhttp://www.brainmetrix.com/reflex-test/

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/handeye

The End….

PSYC 374 Lab Research Methods Review. Much of human history has been consumed with the search for truth and knowledge. Two methods have been used … Philosophy:

Documents

pursuit of knowledge

organized knowledge

english philosopher

body of established

pencil achievement tests

math achievement

students achievement

analysis of datainterpretation