Chapter Objectives Describe the defining features of a theory in psychology Describe how theories a lead to empirical research b are influenced by the outcomes of research and c need to be productive parsimonious and testable ID: 647185
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CHAPTER 3
Research in Psychology: Methods and DesignSlide2
Chapter Objectives
Describe the defining features of a theory in psychology
Describe how theories: (a) lead to empirical research, (
b
) are influenced by the outcomes of research, and (
c
) need to be productive, parsimonious, and testable
Understand the importance of the “What’s next?” question and the value of research that simultaneously replicates and extends prior researchSlide3
Show how creative thinking occurs in science
Use computerized databases (e.g., PsycINFO) to search for information about research in psychology
Read and understand elements of an empirical journal article
Chapter Objectives Slide4
Varieties of Psychological Research
Basic vs. Applied
Research
Basic
designed to
describe and understand fundamental
psychological phenomena. Examples: neural correlates of
cognition, behavior, mechanisms of selective attention(dichotic listening)
Surveillance video***
Applied
designed to shed light on the solution to real-world
problems. Example: effect of cell phone use on drivingSlide5
Varieties of Psychological Research
Laboratory
greater control
minimal mundane
realism
Field
more realistic
maximum mundane realismExperimental realism – the extent to which the study has an impact on the subjects, forces them to take the matter
seriously, and involves them in the procedures. Mundane realism- how closely a study mirrors real life
experiencesSlide6
Varieties of Psychological Research
Quantitative
Includes quantitative data and statistical analysis
Qualitative
Includes narrative descriptions, content analyses, interviews
Much research includes elements of both
Depression, anxiety studiesSlide7
Developing Research Ideas: Asking Empirical Questions
Empirical questions
Answerable with data
Terms precisely defined
Operational definitions
variables defined in terms of a clearly specified set of operations
Hunger
: 12 hours without foodAggression: car honks, delivering shocks, # of fights on playgroundEspecially important for animal researchImportant for replicationConverging operationsUnderstanding increases as studies with different operational definitions “converge” on the same resultSlide8
Where to Research Ideas Come From?
O
ur
own
observations Kitty Genovese (1964) Bystander effectSometimes
from serendipitous
events (discovering something while looking for something else)
Hubel and Wiesel (1959, 1962): “edge detectors”Slide9
Developing Research from Theory
The nature of theory
Summarizes, organizes, explains, provides basis for
predictions regarding a particular phenomenon
Includes constructs
hypothetical factors
not observed directly; involved in the attempt at explanatione.g., cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957)The relationship between theory and dataHypotheses deduced from theory; reasoning from general statements to make predictions (hypotheses)Outcomes/data provide or fail to provide inductive support for theorytheories are never “true” nor “false
”; more like “working truths” or “true until proven false”Slide10
Developing Research from Theory
Attributes of good theories
Productivity
good theories produce much research and advance our knowledge
e.g., cognitive dissonance
theory
Falsification
good theories can be shown to be wrong (fail to be supported by the data)Although researchers want to be right, still attempt to falsify their own work.Parsimonygood theories are concise and provide a simple explanation for resultsClever HansSimpler (more “parsimonious”) explanation Slide11
Clever Hans: The Story
Wilhelm Von
Osten
believed that horses would prove to be as intelligent as people if only they were given a proper education
Spent 4 years tutoring Hans using a method from German schoolsHans could answer questions about history, arithmetic,
etc
even in languages he could not understand. Hoof tapping.
Oskar Pfungst : psychologistSlide12
Converting Ideas to
Hypotheses and Theories
Wilhelm van
Osten
and his horse, Hans. Germany, beginning of 20
th
century.Slide13
Developing Research from Theory
Misunderstandings about theories
“It’s not a fact; it’s only a theory.”
“It’s just a theory; there’s no proof.”
“Here’s my theory about that.”Slide14
Developing Research from Other Research
Research teams and the “What’s Next?” Question
Programs of research
Series of interrelated studies
Research teams and the apprentice
model
Replication and extension
Exact replication rareThe norm in Pavlov’s lab, to train new workersExtension partial replication, with new features added to extend the findingsSlide15
Reviewing the Literature
Computerized database searches
In psychology
PsycINFO
/ Google Scholar
Search tipsUsing truncated search terms to avoid being too narrowSearch resultsTake note of source (e.g., journal article, book, dissertation)Read Abstracts provided when you click on the titleSlide16
Sections of a Scientific Paper
Cover Page
Abstract
Introduction
MethodsResultsDiscussionReferences
Tables & Figures