Research Methods

Wednesday, 6 September 2023 7:46 AM

THE CATEGORIES OF RESEARCH

Naturalistic Observation
- involve observing behavior in its natural context. A developmental psychologist might observe
how children behave on a playground, at a daycare center, or in the child’s own home. While
this research approach provides a glimpse into how children behave in their natural settings,
researchers have very little control over the types and/or frequencies of displayed behavior.

Case study
In a case study, developmental psychologists collect a great deal of information from one
individual in order to better understand physical and psychological changes over the lifespan.
This particular approach is an excellent way to better understand individuals, who are
exceptional in some way, but it is especially prone to researcher bias in interpretation, and it is
difficult to generalize conclusions to the larger population.

In one classic example of this research method being applied to a study of lifespan development
Sigmund Freud analyzed the development of a child known as “Little Hans” (Freud, 1909/1949).
Freud’s findings helped inform his theories of psychosexual development in children, which you will
learn about later in this chapter. Little Genie, the subject of a case study discussed in the chapter on
thinking and intelligence, provides another example of how psychologists examine developmental
milestones through detailed research on a single individual. In Genie’s case, her neglectful and
abusive upbringing led to her being unable to speak until, at age 13, she was removed from that
harmful environment. As she learned to use language, psychologists were able to compare how her
language acquisition abilities differed when occurring in her late-stage development compared to
the typical acquisition of those skills during the ages of infancy through early childhood (Fromkin,
Krashen, Curtiss, Rigler, & Rigler, 1974; Curtiss, 1981).

The survey method

- asks individuals to self-report important information about their thoughts, experiences, and
beliefs. This particular method can provide large amounts of information in relatively short
amounts of time; however, validity of data collected in this way relies on honest self-reporting,
and the data is relatively shallow when compared to the depth of information collected in a
case study. An example of comprehensive survey was the research done by Ruth W. Howard.
In 1934, she obtained her doctorate by surveying 229 sets of triplets, the most comprehensive
research of triplets completed at the time. This pioneering woman was also the first African-
American woman to earn a PhD in psychology (American Psychological Association, 2019).

Experiments
involve significant control over extraneous variables and manipulation of the independent
variable. As such, experimental research allows developmental psychologists to make causal
statements about certain variables that are important for the developmental process. Because
experimental research must occur in a controlled environment, researchers must be cautious
about whether behaviors observed in the laboratory translate to an individual’s natural
environment.

Dependent Variable
The factor that is observed and measured for change in an experiment; though to be
influenced by the independent variable.

Random Assignment
Assigning subjects to experimental conditions in such a way that all subjects have an
equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions or groups in the study. It is an

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 equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions or groups in the study. It is an
important element of good experimental design. Randomly assigning subject ensures
that differences among the subjects are spread out across all experimental conditions,
random assignment helps ensure that the assignment of subjects is done in an unbiased
manner.

Control Group
The group of subjects who are exposed to all experimental conditions, including the
independent variable.

Placebo Control Group

An experimental control group in which subjects are exposed to fake independent variable.

Expectancy Effect
Change in subject’s behavior produced by the subject’s belief that change should happen.

Correlational Studies

It shows how strongly two factors are related to one another. The statistical procedure we can use
to calculate correlational studies is correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient is a numerical
indicator of how strongly related to factors seem to be. A correlation coefficient always falls in a
range from -1.00 to +1.00. There are two parts to any correlation coefficient—the number and the
sign. The number tells us about the strength of the relationship and the sign indicates the direction
of the relationship between the two variables.

More specifically, the closer a correlation coefficient is to 1.00, whether it is positive or negative, the
stronger the
correlation or association between two factors. Hence, a correlation of +80 or -.80 would represent
a strong association,
while a correlation of +.20 or -.20 would represent a weak correlation.
Positive Correlation – two variables increase or decrease together.
Negative Correlation – two variables move in opposite directions.
Even if the two factors are very strongly correlated, correlation doesn’t indicate causation. All a
correlation tells you is
that two factors may be strongly co-vary in a systematic way. Although two factors are strongly
correlated, different
evidence is required to demonstrate a true cause and effect relationship.

Four (4) Major Perspective in Psychology

Biological Perspective
A psychologist might base behavior during stages of development through the influence of
genetics or physical bases.

Behavioral Perspective
A psychologist might focus on the environment influences on behavior.

Cognitive Perspective
A psychologist might focus on the mental processes.

Socio-Cultural Perspective
A psychologist might focus on the influence of the culture on behavior.

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