Psychological Research Methods

811 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Case study management theory and practice

Introduction
Methods and General Principles of Psychological Research
Psychology is the science of human behavior and mental processes, in the purpose of helping people by getting facts rather than opinions. Psychologists ask the questions “what?” and “why?” and to obtain the results to a certain conclusion, psychologists use scientific research methods, which is a standardized way of making observations, gathering data, forming theories, testing predictions and interpreting results (SparkNotes Editors, 2005). There are four types of research methods; survey, observation, experiment, and case study. Researches use these four scientific research methods to measure the data obtained and turn the variables into numbers. There are certain steps to conduct a research method. To even begin a research, a topic of study must be chosen. When a topic is chosen, defining a question and formulating a hypothesis is the first step. Once the hypothesis is formed, researchers will collect data and further study the given information. After devising a study regarding the topic and a conclusion is reached, researchers report the research so that other people can replicate it. In order for a research to be valid it must be replicable, falsifiable, precise, and parsimonious. It is important for a research to be replicable so that others may be able to recreate the same research and see whether the same results will be obtained on not. Being falsifiable means that it has to be able to be proven right or wrong. For example, some people theorize that there are limitless dimensions that co-exist with our dimension in which this theory is not falsifiable because researches cannot prove whether this theory is right or wrong. To ensure that a research is p...

... middle of paper ...

...s highly replicable and can be used on a longitudinal basis (Gerard, K., n.d.) When there is an advantage, there is a disadvantage. A poorly constructed survey can ruin the validity of the results, which is why any research method needs to be standardized. Response rates from random sampling can bias the result of the survey (Cherry, n.d.). Also, when using a close-ended question, participants may have an acquiescence response; where people tend to say “yes” or agree to the things that don't really affect them.
Case study
Unlike survey, where the study only scratches the surface, a case study is an in-depth study of an individual or a group of individuals (Hale, 2011). The subjects of case studies may be an individual alone, a group, an organization, and event. Case studies provide rich qualitative data and have high levels of ecological validity (McLeod, 2007).

Show More
Related

  • Case Study: Jodi Arias Trial

    1006 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is a case study? A case study is a process or record of research in which detailed consideration is given to the development of a particular person, group, or situation over a period of time. There is many different types of cases; rape, robbery, arson, kidnapping and finally murder. Case studies lead to trials;a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings. One famous case study that went to trial was Jodi Arias Trial. Her case was her getting convicted of brutally murdering her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.

    Read More

  • John Snow's Theory Essay

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Effect Of Negative Body Talk On An Diverse Sample Of College Students

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Flaws of Case Study and Experimental Method Research in Psychology

    760 Words  | 2 Pages

    Case study uses information obtained from one person or a few people to illuminate the behaviors of others and suggest further research. Sigmund Freud popularized case study along with his psychonalytic theory of personality. A major advantage of the case study is that focussed on one person allows researchers to gather a great deal of detailed information. The goal of a case study is to use the information gathered from one person to understand the behaviors of others. “The case study is often used by used by psychologist in order to research into aspects of the human psyche.” (Keirs, 2009) Psychologist use experiments, interviews, questionnaires, observations, diaries, and psychometric tests are used within a case study. There are two basic types of case study; retrospective and longitudinal. In retrospective, your information comes from the history of the person you are studying. If it were a person who was being studied, you would have been to interview the person about their childhood and their family, as a result developed a report of their life and early life. In contrast longitudinal, investigates the future. They research consequences of a certain situation that has happened. The key feature in the case study method is subject matter. The subject matter is usually a person or an animal. Much like experimental case study, it often uses variables. As with any other method, it has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of case study is the ecological validity of it. The information that is used in these studies is from real life environment. The information is good information because the research is so in depth. The research if often very useful. There are also disadvantages and potential disadvantages. One main disadvantage is case studies usually relate to one individual, and what applies to you may not apply to me. Replication would not be easy with case study because of the unique situations.

    Read More

  • The Biopsychosocial Model and Research in Mental Health

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    Research is defined as systematic investigation in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions (OUP, 2014). The biopsychosocial model has already been described.

    Read More

  • Case Study Essay

    720 Words  | 2 Pages

    Is a deeper analysis and understanding of a particular matter, person, group or situation during a period of time. Rather than just based on numbers and statistics, case study is more a detail investigation to the research object. To make an in-depth analysis in the particular research object, usually by collecting data with several different research methods.

    Read More

  • Research Methods

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    For everything that occurs, there will somehow be something that caused the action to happen. It is more of a cause and effect ideal or simple a reaction to an action. In terms of research academics, independent and dependent variables are concepts or attributes to certain things that occur such as drug use, crime, or domestic abuse. For example, stress or other personal problems may lead to someone to use drugs. Also, poverty may lead someone to commit crime. In addition, a power controlled individual may cause a partnership to suffer physical or verbal abuse.

    Read More

  • The Use of the Scientific Method in Psychology

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first method I will look at is the rt method which is built upon collected data from surveys etc. Its main plus points being that it uses a much larger sample than the other methods because it takes less time to collate the results. It is also useful because it allows for further research to be added - it can be updated. There are a number of problems with this. The subjects may not feel comfortable and could answer just to please the experimenter. A big problem with the method is that it does not give enough range for the subject. They are restricted within the boundaries of the tick boxes. The researcher can only learn so much.

    Read More

  • Psycho Research Analysis Essay

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the world of cinema, there’s almost always a discussion regarding what scenes would be suitable for the grasping imagination of any audience, young or old. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film, Psycho, sparked a plug for the movie industry as it was the first movie of its kind to display such graphic scenes of sex and violence to a worldwide audience.

    Read More

  • Naturalistic Observation Paper

    727 Words  | 2 Pages

    A survey is a list of questions to be answered by research participants. Like all research methods, surveys have advantages and disadvantages. A disadvantage to using surveys is that people may not give accurate responses and we would not be able to collect as much information on each person, compared to another research method. Despite these disadvantages, surveys provide psychologists with the ability to gather data from larger samples of people. This advantage allows the data to be generalized to a larger population because the data was conducted from a large and diverse group.

    Read More

  • Everyone Knows Psychology Is Not A Real Science Christopher Ferguson Summary

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Ferguson (2015), results from psychological researches lack generalizability which is due to the shaky methodologies utilized by researchers. This issue is one that can be resolved if credible policies can be put in place to regulate how researchers can conduct their researches and communicate their findings to the public. Also, the issue of replication was mentioned. Replicability is supposed to prove the objectivity of psychology as a science, but so far it has only added to the confusion because replication has limited researchers to a particular realm, thus, no progress is made. Although some areas in psychology are quite difficult to replicate, but this is not a problem peculiar to only psychology because other “real” sciences experience this too.

    Read More

  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this paper, I will define quantitative and qualitative research methods and provide examples in the context of social issues which will hopefully provide insight into how this methods are properly applied.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of Psychological Research Methods

    1598 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Case study of a Child With Aggressive Behavior

    2025 Words  | 5 Pages

    Case studies are a collection of data obtained using various methods gathered on an individual or group to record areas of interest in order to assist with analysis and provide recommendations. The study should include the name of the person, although this should be protected to provide anonymity where appropriate, and a brief description of the subject. The setting where the study is to be performed should be included. The aim of the observation must be presented along with a report of the findings. The type of method used will depend upon the subject and the area of interest. Data is gathered on the subject in this case observations were used to provide the data. An interpretation of the study will be made in order to provide a conclusion and recommendations made if applicable. Freud famously used the case studies that he carried out on his patients to develop his Psychoanalytic Theory.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Research in Psychology

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    Research is a necessary skill in the Psychology field because it is the key to observing, diagnosing, and treating clients with psychological problems. “Among the health care professions clinical psychology is one of few to provide extensive research training.” (Howes, 1996) Clinical Psychologist uses the scientific method as the procedure for research. Psychology is the only mental health discipline that has its roots in academic research rather than in practice. “Research is the foundation of all Clinical Psychology activities.” (Plante, 2005)

    Read More

More about Psychological Research Methods

Open Document