Overview
This lecture covers the main research methods in psychology, outlining their definitions, key features, advantages, and disadvantages, to help students understand when and how to use each method.
Laboratory (Lab) Experiment
- Conducted in controlled environments with direct manipulation of variables.
- Allows control over variables, reducing errors and confounding variables.
- High replicability and validity due to control.
- Lacks ecological validity (not like real life), leading to low mundane realism.
- Risk of demand characteristics (participants behave differently) and evaluation apprehension.
Field Experiment
- Takes place in natural settings with manipulated independent variables.
- High ecological validity; less demand characteristics and evaluation apprehension.
- Difficult to control variables and replicate; informed consent may be an issue.
Natural/Quasi Experiment
- Studies effects of naturally manipulated variables in real settings (e.g., after natural disasters).
- Extremely high ecological validity, fewer demand characteristics.
- Hard to replicate and control variables; rare and infrequent events limit opportunities.
Correlational Analysis
- Measures the association and strength between two variables (often using scatter graphs).
- Reveals trends for further research.
- Cannot show causation or effect of confounding variables; may be influenced by chance.
Naturalistic Observation
- Observes behavior in natural settings without researcher influence.
- Can be disclosed (researcher known) or undisclosed (hidden observer).
- High ecological validity, especially if undisclosed (no demand characteristics).
- Hard to replicate; observer bias possible; difficult to control variables.
Controlled Observation
- Behavior observed in a controlled, yet natural, environment with some manipulation by researcher.
- Easier to replicate than naturalistic; researcher can focus on specific behaviors.
- Still subject to observer bias and potential demand characteristics.
Participant Observation
- Researcher joins the group and observes behavior in a natural setting.
- High ecological validity; easier to focus on behavior.
- No informed consent; observer bias; hard to replicate; researcher's presence may influence results.
Questionnaires
- Pre-written questions answered by participants (closed or open-ended).
- Fast, cheap, easy to replicate; closed questions are easy to analyze.
- Low response rate; limited answers; possible social desirability bias; open questions hard to analyze.
Structured Interview
- Face-to-face conversation with fixed questions in set order.
- Fast, cheap, easy to replicate; focused questioning.
- Same disadvantages as questionnaires: limited responses, social desirability, evaluation apprehension.
Unstructured Interview
- No fixed questions; open-ended, conversational approach.
- Produces detailed qualitative data; reveals deeper insights.
- Hard to compare, replicate, and categorize data; risk of demand characteristics and researcher influence.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ecological Validity — the extent to which research findings reflect real-life situations.
- Mundane Realism — how closely an experiment mirrors real-life scenarios.
- Demand Characteristics — participants altering behavior because they know they are being studied.
- Evaluation Apprehension — participants feeling nervous about being evaluated, affecting their behavior.
- Confounding Variable — an extra variable that may affect results but is not controlled.
- Observer Bias — when an observer's subjective interpretation influences the observation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and answer provided practice questions from memory.
- Go over notes or re-watch the lecture to clarify any mistakes.
- Prepare for the next lesson on research design.