Overview
This lecture introduces key research methods used in psychology, comparing their advantages and limitations, and examines how psychologists collect and analyze data to understand behavior and mental processes.
Research Methods in Psychology
- Psychologists use various research methods including observation, surveys, archival research, and experiments to study behavior and mental processes.
- Each method has unique strengths, weaknesses, and is suitable for different research questions.
Case Studies (Clinical Studies)
- Case studies focus on one or a few individuals to gain deep insights, especially when studying rare conditions.
- They provide rich, detailed information but findings are difficult to generalize to broader populations.
Naturalistic Observation
- Observing behavior in its natural environment increases the validity and realism (ecological validity) of findings.
- Researchers must remain unobtrusive to avoid influencing the subjects’ behavior.
- Drawbacks include difficulty in setting up, controlling variables, and potential observer bias.
- Structured observation involves observing people under set conditions with specific tasks.
Surveys
- Surveys collect data from large samples using questionnaires or interviews, allowing greater generalizability of results.
- Results can be limited by self-report biases and lack of depth compared to case studies.
Archival Research
- Archival research uses existing records or datasets to analyze patterns and relationships without direct participant interaction.
- Advantages include lower costs and time commitment; disadvantages include lack of control over data collection and consistency.
Longitudinal vs. Cross-Sectional Research
- Longitudinal research collects data from the same people over long periods, allowing tracking of changes but requires significant time and resources.
- Cross-sectional research compares different groups at one time, is faster, but cohort differences may confound results.
- Longitudinal studies often face high attrition rates, affecting sample representativeness.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Generalizing — applying findings from a study to the larger population.
- Naturalistic Observation — observing behavior in its real-world setting without interference.
- Observer Bias — when an observer’s expectations influence their interpretation of behaviors.
- Inter-rater Reliability — consistency of observations by multiple researchers.
- Sample — a subset of the population chosen for study.
- Population — the entire group researchers want to understand or generalize to.
- Archival Research — analyzing existing data or records to answer research questions.
- Longitudinal Research — studying the same individuals over an extended period.
- Cross-sectional Research — comparing different population segments at a single point in time.
- Attrition — loss of participants over time in a study.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review textbook readings on research methods for deeper understanding.
- Be prepared to identify strengths and weaknesses of each method in future class discussions or assessments.