Research Methodology
Operational Definition
Replication
Generalization
Falsifiable
Testable
A hypothesis cannot be
Proven
or discarded
Research Practices
Case Studies
Survey
Surveys - Issues
Pro: Can be used to look at many cases or respondents more representative and
therefore more generalizable
Should the government force you to pay higher taxes? Or Does the government need to increase tax
revenue?
Does it seem possible or does it seem impossible to you that the Nazi extermination of the Jews never happened?
What is the most important problem facing the nation? Before Do you approve or disapprove of the way
Justin Trudeau is handling his job as prime minister?
Necessary Components
Population
The whole group you want to study and from the population
come samples (manageable)
Representative
Sample
Random Sample
Naturalistic Observation
Correlation
Correlation Coefficient
Correlation
coefficient
r = +.37
Indicates strength
of relationship
(0.00 to 1.00)
Correlation
Three Possible Cause-Effect Relationships
(1)
Low self-esteem
could cause
Depression
or
(2)
Depression
could cause
Low self-esteem
or
Low self-esteem
(3)
Distressing events could cause
or biological
predisposition
and
Depression
Illusory Correlation
Illusory Correlation
the perception of a
relationship where
none exists
Often the source of
superstitions
Conceive
Adopt
Do not
adopt
Do not conceive
confirming
evidence
disconfirming
evidence
disconfirming
evidence
confirming
evidence
Experimentation
Experiment
Experimentation
Single-Blind
Research participants dont know if they are getting the placebo or active
agent
Double-Blind Procedure
both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about
whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo
Placebo
Experimentation
Experimental Condition
Control Condition
Experimentation
Random Assignment
assigning participants to
experimental and control
conditions by chance
Experimentation
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Cigarette
Television
Absence
Make