Research Methods in
Psychology
Non-Experimental Methods
Types of
Interviews
Structured Interviews
Key Ideas
Very formal
Predetermined order and format of questions
Interviewer may only provide guidance to participant
Strengths and Weaknesses
Data is extremely easy to analyze
and compare with other interviews
Same format for every interview
Does not show particpant's personality
Very "artificial"
Limitation of questions: Interviewer can
only ask preset questions
Example
Conducting a study on television viewership
for high school students in East Hartford, CT
Used when yes/no data is needed and compared
Semi-Structured Interviews
Key Ideas
Questions can be both
open-ended or closed
"Conversation" between
interviewer and participant
Preferred in modern psychology!
Strengths and Weaknesses
Information about participant can be
obtained while keeping focus of study
Possible to collect information that was
not collected from all participants
May have difficulty analyzing data
Example
Conducting a study on depression affects
on teenagers, aged 13-19
Used when elaboration is needed from participants
Unstructured Interviews
Key Ideas
Only time and topic are predetermined
Very informal
Interviewer can change/ invent
questions throughout interview
Strengths and Weaknesses
Reveals participant's motivations
and interests
Interviewer can elaborate or further
inquire into topics/questions
Difficult to analyze data
May collect different information for each interview
Example
Study on why students choose to
go to IB schools in the United States
Used when specific information needed
is unspecified/unnecessary
Experimental Methods
Types of
Experiments
Field Experiments
Key Ideas
Take place in natural environment
Researchers can manipulate variables
Strengths and Weaknesses
Great ecological value
Findings occur in real
conditions/environments
Cannot control all variables
Errors/confusion of causation may occur
Example
Setup to see if people in a subway train would hep
an "intoxicated veteran" versus a "lame veteran"
Used in social experiments
Laboratory Experiments
Key Ideas
Takes place in a laboratory
Strict control variables
Strengths and Weaknesses
Experiments are easy to replicate
"Artificial environment"
Participants may react differently to natural environment
than they do in laboratory environment
Example
Mice made to run through maze multiple times
to test reactions to decision making under pressure
Scientists must be able manipulate variables so
certain theories can be tested (not always natural)
Natural Experiments
Key Ideas
Takes place in natural environment
Researchers only sit and observe
No manipulation/control of variables
Strengths and Weaknesses
No doubt that cause and effects seen
are ecologically accurate
Cannot always be sure cause-and-effect
variables observed are correct
Example
Research behavior of children who have been kept
in isolation by their parents
Done in medical research
Deductive Approach
Gather empirical data through experiments
Goal: test a theory/hypothesis
"A claim tested against empirical
evidence that can be accepted or rejected"
Independent and Dependent Variables
Inductive Approach
Gather qualitative data through
research questions
how people experience situations
"describe meanings attributed to events
by the participants themselves"
Analyze/theorize connections
in data after it is gathered
Ethical Guidelines
Participants must know true aims and purpose of experiment by the end
Must respect general psychological guidelines
No deception; consent needed; no physical/mental harm
Confidentiality and withdrawal rights of participants must be upheld
Ethical Guidelines
Must respect general psychological guidelines
No deception; consent needed; no physical/mental harm
Interviewers must always be professional
Protect identity of participant
Right to withdraw information at any time