Major Learning Outcome 2 Research Methods in Psychology Understand and apply basic research methods, including research design, data analysis and interpretation. Outcomes include differentiating research methods, evaluating aptness of research conclusions, designing and conducting basic studies and generalizing research conclusions appropriately (CSUMB Catalog, 2013). There are several reasons to why we do research in the field of psychology. According to Evans and Rooney (2008) some of these reasons are to evaluate a theory, satisfy our curiosity, demonstrate a new technique, demonstrate a behavioral phenomenon, or investigate the conditions influencing behavioral phenomena (p. 14-15). In order to carry out any type of research we must become familiar with the different types of methods that can be applied, this includes selecting a design, data analysis, and data interpretation. Understanding and applying research methods is the key to developing a relevant study. The major learning outcomes in this particular area is learning to differentiate research methods, evaluate aptness of research conclusions, designing and conducting basic studies and generalizing research conclusions appropriately. This major learning outcome for me means that we will become knowledgeable in the different kinds of research methods used in scientific studies, such as observations, case studies, surveys, correlational studies, experiments, longitudinal studies and cohort studies. We will learn traditional, scientific strategies for the statistical evaluation of laboratory experimental designs and methodology used in Psychology. We will also learn how to construct and assess strengths and limitations of experimental models, including quasi-experimental designs. We will become familiar with the basic structure of a scientific study. We will be able to understand the terminology used in scientific studies and as well as analyzed and interpret the data. These skills will facilitate our ability to conduct our own research. Aside from conducting our own research we will learn how to write an APA style research paper.
This learning outcome is very important in the field of psychology. In fact, this is a keystone for Psychology Majors emphasizing the science of studying human behavior and mental processes. We not only learn the different methods of research but we are able to apply the appropriate method need to conduct a meaningful study. If we do not ask the right questions or use the correct method we will never get relevant results. Another thing that makes this major learning outcome important is that we learn that even if a study does not produce significant results the study can be useful. A study that does not prove to be relevant can serve as an example of what not to do, what won t work, or that a specific variable was never a factor in the study. Aside from conducting our own studies this major leaning outcome is important because it betters our skills in understanding, interpreting, and assessing other research studies already conducted. Another thing that makes this major learning outcome important is that it teaches us the importance of constructing a good test or questionnaire. Validity and reliability are key to a good test of questionnaire. These two concepts are an important part in test and measurements. When a test has validity it is measuring what it s supposed to measure and when they test proves to have reliability it is producing the same results over and over again. The classes that I have taken here at CSUMB to fulfill this major learning outcome were PSY 305: Testing & Measurements and PSY 302: Research Methods and Data Analysis. In my experience here at CSUMB it took PSY 302 before PSY 305 and I strongly recommend that other students take Testing & Measurements before Research Methods. In Testing and Measurements we learned how to construct test and questionnaires. Most of our work for this class was done in groups. For one assignment my group and I had to construct the first chapter test, chapters 1-3. Our test was eight questions and included multiply choice, true or false, and open-ended questions. As a group we also constructed a questionnaire for our study which was
Do environmental factor(s) influence your studying? The questionnaire focused on individual preferences when studying. For example, the type of area where one studies, the lighting, temperature, sound, and design. This questionnaire consisted of 28 questions and was broken down into three sections. The first section of our questionnaire, the first eight questions, was on demographics: age, gender, major, GPA, units taking, grade, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. The second section of our questionnaire consisted of seven questions. These questions measured the amount of time participants study a week, if participants have a specific place they study at, location of study area, how they prefer to work, and environmental factors (light and temperature) needed in their study location. The last section in our questionnaire measured preferences. This section consisted of 13 questions and is measured using a 5-point Linker scale (1=Never, 5=Always). These questions dealt with time management when studying as well as the study environment. These questions asked I spread out my study time, to avoid cramming and I usually study in the same area. Both of these group assignments taught me the importance of a good test and that the way we phrase of ask question do matter. If the questions are unclear then the results will be inconclusive or irrelevant to the study. To avoid this type of problem we learned the different types of questions and when they are appropriately used. We also did a sample survey before administering the questionnaire to our sample of participants. This allowed us to get feedback and make changes to specific questions that may have not been asked properly. In Research Methods and Data Analysis I did a lot of assignments that can demonstrate how I fulfilled this major learning outcome. I did literature reviews, purposed a study, identifying independent and dependent variables in a study, evaluated other studies, constructed a survey, used SPSS, and learned to assess different types of test (correlational and t-test). The
assignments in this class were both individual and group work. The major assignment for this class was constructing and conducting a study. For this final project my group and I did our study on media and body satisfaction. Our research question was Does the Media have Influence on College Students Body Satisfaction? The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of media on college students level of body satisfaction through assessing internalization of different types of media (TV & Magazines). Using a questionnaire administered through Google Docs we surveyed 30 students from CSUMB all of whom were chosen through convenience sampling. Our group came up with two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that there would be a negative correlation between media influence and body satisfaction. The second hypothesis is that woman would have a lower rate of body satisfaction than men. The results showed that participants who were exposed to more media were less satisfied with their body image. These findings supported our first hypothesis, that there is negative correlation between media and college student s body satisfaction. However, our sample size did not include enough men in order to support or refute our second hypothesis. Although this assignment was done in collaboration we all had a part or section to do. We all collaborated with two literature reviews and the presentation of the study. I did the methods section which consisted of measurements, data collection, and participants. I learned a great deal from this assignment. I learned to read, understand, and evaluate other studies as well as to write a literature review. I also learned how to identify independent and dependent variables within a study. As a group we learned how to conduct correctional test using SPSS and interpreting our findings. Research Methods in Psychology is a very crucial learning outcome within the Psychology Major. As previously mentioned it is the keystone for Psychology Majors which emphasizes the science of studying human behavior and mental processes. Conducting a study takes good
planning and series of steps. This learning outcome allows us to become familiar with past research studies and teaches psychology students the skills to understand, analyses, interpret, and evaluate such studies. With these skills we can design and conduct basic research studies and simplify research conclusions correctly.
References Cal State Monterey Bay Catalog. (2013). 2013-2014 Catalog: Major Requirements. Retrieved from http://catalog.csumb.edu/major-requirements-3 Evans, A. N. & Rooney, B. F. (2008). Methods in Psychological Research. Thousand Oak, CA: Sage Publications.