Lecturer: Dr. Adote Anum, Dept. of Psychology Contact Information:

Transcription

1 Lecturer: Dr. Adote Anum, Dept. of Psychology Contact Information: College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/ /2017

2 Session Overview The course provides an introduction to psychological research techniques and methodology. In this course, you will be introduced to basic research techniques and measurement of variables. The topics to be covered include the purpose of research, the issues that must be considered in deciding how to study various psychological phenomena, and ways to address the difficulties posed by the limitations of specific methods of research. It is imperative for you to use this opportunity to start developing your research for any independent research you might want to undertake in the future. In this session, we will cover the key principles involved in scientific research and how it differs from other types of research.

3 Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Topic One: Purpose of research methods Topic Two: Characteristics of scientific research Topic Three: Distinction between science and non-science You are required to arrange your slides to reflect the outline provided, so that students know when topics start and end. This will also help the video editor breakdown your videos to reflect the sessions. It is advised that you have a minimum of three or four topics (approximately 30 minutes per topic) so that your videos are broken down to explain the key topics and for easy referral by students. You can divide a very broad topic to sub-topics where necessary

4 Reading List Cozby, P. C. (2004). Methods in behavioral research (8 th Ed.). Mayfield Pub. Co. CA. (Chapter 1) (Chapter 1, pages 2 14). Please refer to Sakai for the PDF version of this textbook.

5 Topic One PURPOSE OF RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY

6 Research Method Research Methods answers specific questions. Who are the respondents? How was the data collected? How was the data analyzed and interpreted? Answers to these questions help us evaluate the conclusions drawn from the data

7 The Scientific Approach The Scientific Method is a logical and rational order of steps by which scientists come to conclusions about the world around them. Also known as empiricism or positivism Positivism is a view of scientific method a philosophical approach based on the view that, in the social as well as natural sciences, sensory experiences are together the exclusive source of all worthwhile information.

8 The Scientific Approach Research in the social sciences and psychology therefore involves: Collection of data or an analysis of objective information Through a method that is verifiable; and Replicable by other scientists independently

9 The Scientific Approach Scientific research in psychology can categorized into Experimental Descriptive or qualitative Correlational The type of study or research may vary but the systematic nature of the method should not vary

10 The Purpose of Research The systematic nature of research therefore allows to follow specific guidelines in: Selecting the approach or method to be used in a research Selecting the participants/respondents to be used in a research. Determining the data collected will be analysed and interpreted

11 The Purpose of Research Research is conducted to answer specific questions or goals. These questions are to provide explanations to a human phenomenon such as problems of juvenile delinquency or learning disability in children Other times research simply provides us with knowledge that do not necessarily solve social problems

12 The Purpose of Research Basic Research This is the type of research in which scientists are interested in generating knowledge for the sake of knowledge, with little emphasis or relevance to real-world issues Applied Research When the goal of a study is guided by specific real-world phenomenon and the findings of the research is to directly provide a solution to that phenomenon, it is known as applied research such as stated as on the previous slide

13 Topic Two WHAT IS SCIENCE?

14 What is Science? Science is misconceived as a subject that is only studied in laboratories. By this narrow definitions, we include on subjects in the physical sciences such as physics or chemistry. Science is a method of studying using a specific approach. It is the approach that makes it a science nor the subject matter

15 What is Science? Science is a systematic process for generating knowledge about the world. Science must therefore be seen as a method (systematically acquiring and evaluating information) and a goal (identifying the nature of governing principles of what is being studied) It is possible to adopt a scientific approach to study even the most complex aspects of human social behaviour (e.g., Milgram s Obedience Study)

16 What is Science? Scientific research then represents Systematic Controlled Empirical, and Critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among such phenomena

17 Topic Three DISTINCTION BETWEEN SCIENCE & NON-SCIENCE

18 Distinction between Science and Non-science What is Science A rigorous method used to arrive at knowledge Science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge A system that uses observation and experimentation.

19 What is Not Science? Science is not intuition Intuition is a process that gives us the ability to know something directly without analytic reasoning or experience Science is not common sense Common sense is knowledge, beliefs, opinions or practical understanding of events shared by the lay persons without reference to facts.

20 What is Pseudo-Science Pseudoscience refers to activities and beliefs that are claimed to be scientific by their proponents but they are not Common examples are astrology and psychic abilities It is important to understand that these disciplines do not lend themselves to the strict tenets of scientific enquiry such as replicability and control

21 Distinction between Science and Non-science The use of conceptual schemes and theoretical structures are strikingly different Scientists systematically and empirically test their theories and hypotheses The notion of control

22 Assignment Read on the study by Bibb Latané and John Darley conducted in 1964 and explaining the phenomenon of by-stander apathy. Provide some examples of Basic research. Distinguish between Basic and Applied research highlighting the overlap between the two What makes a subject a science?

23 References Cozby, P. C. (2004). Methods in behavioral research (8 th Ed.). Mayfield Pub. Co. CA. ods/