Like any other science, psychology is concerned with theories and data. Psychologists use a wide range of research methods and techniques that allow them to gather and make sense of the data that they produce. The methods that psychologists use to research and analyse the experience and behaviours of individuals or groups are called psychological research methods. This essay will be investigating and analysing three research methods to include; experimental, observational and surveys, also, reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses of each in addition to their usefulness in the psychology field.
The first method to be discussed and analysed are experimental methods. There is a variety of experimental methods including; laboratory, field and natural experiments. These methods are the most scientific method due to them being highly objective and systematic. In addition, this method is regarded as the most powerful research method used in psychology because of the potential to investigate the causes of events and therefore, identifying the cause and effect relationship. When carrying out an experiment the researcher intervenes directly in the situation being investigated. The researcher manipulates an independent variable (IV) in order to investigate whether there is a change in the dependent variable (DV). Any other variables that could have an
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Observational methods are of a non-experimental design where the absence of the IV does not allow any cause and effect relationship. There are different types of observations to include; participant, nonparticipant, structured, non-structured and naturalistic. This method includes an observation of the respondent by the researcher in the respondent’s natural social settings. The researcher has no influence over the behaviour of the respondent. Observations are commonly used to study aspects of development, including physical, social, emotional and intellectual
The scientific method is how psychologists gain knowledge about the mind and behavior. It is used by all scientists. The experimental method is the one way to engage the scientific method, and the only way to find a cause and effect in relationships. It is summarized in five steps, observing some phenomenon in the world, forming a hypothesis which is an educated prediction about relationships between two or more variables, examining the gathered information by using empirical research, determining what the results are and drawing them, and evaluating the results whether it will support the hypothesis or not. Researchers, at the end, submit their work for publication for all to see and read (King, 2016). There are three types of psychological research in the scientific method, descriptive research, correlation, and experimental research (King, 2016). The article The Effects of Negative Body Talk in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of College Students (Katrevich, Register, & Aruguete, 2014) is an example of the experimental method.
In response to the question set, I will go into detail of the study, consisting of the background, main hypotheses, as well the aims, procedure and results gathered from the study; explaining the four research methods chosen to investigate, furthering into the three methods actually tested.
Different styles of research are employed in research to safeguard that the facts are acquired to permit examiners to find resolution to the principal queries for the study correctly, therefore, evading uncertainty ( ). Acquiring relevant proof encompasses stipulating the type of proof mandatory in answering the query. Methodological designs encompass logical complications; therefore, matters of sampling, information gathering methods, and queries are secondary to the type of method used in research. Strategies are often compared with quantitative and qualitative research methods. Research and collective studies are often observed as principal specimens of quantitative research and are evaluated compared to the flaws and strong point of numerical, examination, and quantitative research methods ( ).
Research methods are therefore used to collect and analyse information. Psychologists have used these 5 research methods for collecting and analysing data at the BLOA.
Research allows for the undertaking of information-finding activities; establishing facts and reaching new conclusions. (Smith, M. 2010) It is important when conducting research to ensure to use the correct research design that will prove to be the most effective for the desired study being investigated. There are a number of different research designs; experimental, correlational, survey, observational, case study and ethnography.
Experimental designs are viewed as the most accurate, and most demanding of research designs, requiring strict attention to rules and procedures. Researchers use these research designs to manipulate and control testing procedures as a way to understand a cause and effect relationship. Commonly, independent variables are manipulated to judge or decide their effect on a dependent variable (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008).
Smyth, W. (Feb, 2014). Non-Experimental Methods. Psychology Research Methods. Lecture conducted from the University of Regina. Regina, SK.
Historically, the scientific method has not been used too often and this is also the case of the Victorian era, that is, until John Snow found the way in which to eliminate the cholera problem through the use of the scientific method. The usefulness of the scientific method in both historical contexts, in the past and contemporary world, comes from the fact that it is essentially a template that guides a researcher through a transparent process that is chronologically correct which means that the process of proving or disproving an idea becomes logical. We see the scientific method being used in psychology in the form of research methods which including things like researchers paying a lot of attention to sample sizes, validity, reflexivity and the use of statistics in determining the accuracy and reliability of a hypothesis. Interestingly enough, even though psychology is a relatively new field, the scientific method has been adopted quickly and effortlessly as it is extremely efficient in proving the usefulness and accuracy of a researchers
In the criminal justice system it is imperative to understand why crime occurs in order to prevent them from happening. Researchers look for the cause of crime and experimental research is considered the best when determining cause and effect relationships. However, causality can never actually be proven only be hypothesized to a certain degree. Experimental research is used a top standard for the evaluation of other research methods as they are able to control the validity of the research both internal and external. Internal validity is the accuracy within the study itself while external validity is the ability to say the outcome is applicable to other groups. There are three main types of experimental research designs classical
Regarding how individuals relate, influence, and perceive one another social psychology encompasses different form of research (Myers, 2010). The variety of research techniques used provides psychologists the ability to test hypothesis and theories. The relationship among different variables is sought after in doing so (Myers, 2010). In social psychology the methods used are field, correlations, and experimental research (Myers, 2010). Research takes place in either a controlled environment or nature situations .Field research takes place in natural settings and outside laboratory or controlled environments. This is a research commonly used regarding observing individuals and his or her behavior in an everyday setting. The situation is not controlled or influenced by other variables therefore providing more accurate results in data. Correlation research looks for the connection between variable sand the natural relationships they share. Even though this form of research aids in psychology its predictions and provides a relationship between variable it does not provide and indefinite cause and effect connection (Myers, 2010). Correlation research does not however factor in causations when concerning variables. Because of the concern correlation research places on cause and effect relationship experimental research is used whenever ethical or feasible situations arise
A correlational method measure relationship between two or more variables: independent variable(s) and dependent variable. The independent variables are the experimental factors that the researcher can manipulate, while dependent variables are the things that the experimenter no control over, that include the outcome of the experiment (Class notes). The experimental method explores cause and effect of the study (David G. Myers, 2008).
Psychology is a type of science because psychologists share a basic assumption with all other scientists. Psychology methods can range from simple to complex. There are several research methods in psychology, and the outcome is relatively different for each. Each method studies and tests different situations. “The goals of psychologist are to make predictions about the conditions that gave rise to them, and then use that knowledge to predict and possibly to control events in the future”. (Stephen F.Davis, 2007)
The laboratory experiment gives the experimenter a greater chance to control the conditions and enables you to measure behaviour with greater precision. This method also allows for quantative research and also enables greater control of variables. Although it gives the experimenter greater control, this can also seem daunting to the subject who may feel more uncomfortable and is less likely to ...
In this chapter, the researcher discusses further on research methodology used in the current research to achieve the research objectives as previously highlighted in Chapter One. This chapter will discuss on research design, population, sampling design and data collection method.
The Importance and Appropriateness of Utilizing Different Methodologies for Research. Introduction The process of research entails the logical as well as systematic search for useful data and information with regard to a specific topic (Jha, 2008). It is also comprised of the investigation of the best, most cost effective and appropriate solutions to both social and scientific issues, following an objective and logical analysis. Jha, (2008) defines research as the search for knowledge and the discovery of the truth. During this process, the data can be gathered from a wide pool of sources among them interviews, books, nature among others.The data can then be analyzed with the appropriate data analysis tools, so as to report the findings