Introduction to Psychology

3 Research Methods
 Learning Outcomes
• Define the scientific methods and list
the steps involved
• Describe how psychology use research
to answer questions of interest
• Summarize the descriptive research
method used by psychologists
• Summarize the experimental research
method used by psychologists
2
 What is a theory?
• A broad explanation and prediction
concerning phenomena of interest

• Scientific theories are testable

3
 Steps in The Scientific
Methods
1. Identifying questions of interest
2. Formulating an explanation
3. Carrying out research designed to
support or refute the explanation
4. Communicating the findings

4
 Hypotheses
• A prediction stated in away that
allows it to be tested

• E.G. Girls score higher in language

subject as compared to boys

5
 Operational definition
• A translation of a hypothesis into
specific, testable procedures that
can be measured and observed

• E.g.1) Fear: an increase of heart

rate
• 2) A score to the question; “How
much fear are you experiencing
now? 6
 Types of Psychological
Research
• Archival Research
• Naturalistic observation
• Survey research
• Case Study
• Correlational research
• Experimental research