This document discusses research methods in psychology. It covers why scientific methods are needed due to cognitive biases. It discusses the challenges of studying human behavior since people are complex, different, and react differently to situations. The document uses the example of Clever Hans to show the importance of carefully observing in controlled conditions and being aware of observer biases. It also covers types of research strategies like experiments, case studies, and surveys. It discusses methods of collecting data and how to minimize biases in research through double-blind experiments and placebos. Finally, it addresses ethical issues in psychological research involving humans and animals.

1. Chapter Two
Research Methods

2. Research Methods in PsychologyResearch Methods in Psychology
 Why do we need scientific methods?Why do we need scientific methods?
• Hindsight biasHindsight bias
• False consensus effectFalse consensus effect
 EmpiricismEmpiricism
• Empirical challenges of studying peopleEmpirical challenges of studying people
 People are complexPeople are complex
 People are differentPeople are different
 People react to situations differentlyPeople react to situations differently

3. Research Methods in PsychologyResearch Methods in Psychology
 The story of clever HansThe story of clever Hans
• Facts, theories and hypothesisFacts, theories and hypothesis
• What can we learn from Hans?What can we learn from Hans?
 Be skepticalBe skeptical
 Observe carefully in controlled conditionsObserve carefully in controlled conditions
 Be aware of observer-expectancy effectsBe aware of observer-expectancy effects

4. Types of Research StrategiesTypes of Research Strategies
 Research design: The experimentResearch design: The experiment
• Independent variableIndependent variable
• Dependent variableDependent variable
• VariablesVariables
• ParticipantsParticipants
• ConfederatesConfederates

5. Types of Research StrategiesTypes of Research Strategies

6. Activity
Testing Random Assignment

7. Central Tendency
Mean, Median & Mode
• Let’s look at the salaries of the employees
• at Dunder Mifflen Paper in Scranton:
$25,000-Pam
$25,000- Kevin
$25,000- Angela
$100,000- Andy
$100,000- Dwight
$200,000- Jim
$300,000- Michael
The median salary looks good at
$100,000.
The mean salary also looks good
at about $110,000.
But the mode salary is only
$25,000.
Maybe not the best place to
work!!

8. Measures of Variability
• Range: distance from
highest to lowest
scores.
• Standard Deviation:
the variance of scores
around the mean.
• The higher the
variance or SD, the
more spread out the
distribution is.
• Do scientists
want a big or
small SD?
Shaq and Kobe
may both score 30
ppg (same mean).
But their SDs are
very different.

9. Types of Research StrategiesTypes of Research Strategies
• Laboratory observationLaboratory observation
• Case studiesCase studies
• SurveySurvey
• Laboratory studyLaboratory study
• Field studyField study

10. Data Collection MethodsData Collection Methods
• Self-reportSelf-report
methodmethod
• QuestionnairesQuestionnaires
• InterviewsInterviews
• ObservationalObservational
methodsmethods
• Data collectionData collection
pros and conspros and cons

11. Minimizing Bias in PsychologicalMinimizing Bias in Psychological
ResearchResearch
 Avoiding observer andAvoiding observer and
subject expectancy effectssubject expectancy effects
• Observer-expectancy effectObserver-expectancy effect
• Subject-expectancy effectSubject-expectancy effect
• Double-blind experimentDouble-blind experiment
• PlaceboPlacebo
• Placebo effectPlacebo effect

12. Activity
• “Softens hands while you do the dishes.”

13. Ethical Issues inPsychologicalResearchEthical Issues inPsychologicalResearch
 Research with humansResearch with humans
• The right to privacyThe right to privacy
• Possibility of discomfortPossibility of discomfort
or harmor harm
• The use of deceptionThe use of deception
 Research with animalsResearch with animals
 How can we ensureHow can we ensure
ethical research?ethical research?
• Institutional ReviewInstitutional Review
BoardsBoards

14. HomeworkHomework
• Read Chapter ThreeRead Chapter Three
• ReminderReminder: Unit One Exam (Chapters 1-3) is on: Unit One Exam (Chapters 1-3) is on
Tuesday, September 10Tuesday, September 10thth
(IN CLASS)(IN CLASS)