Matakuliah : L0014/Psikologi Umum
Tahun
: 2007
Research Methods in Psychology
Pertemuan 3 s.d 4
Agenda Today
1. Basic Concepts of Research
2. Research Methods
3. Ethical Principles of Research
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What is Research ?
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BASIC CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH
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SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• Method of studying nature based on systematic observation and
rules of evidence
• Need think critically about the evidence
• The psychological scientist asks :
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What is the evidence?
How good is the evidence?
What are the alternative explanation for the evidence ?
What needs to learn next ?
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Empirical Evidence : evidence based on observation of publicly observable phenomena
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Operational Definitions : describe the observation in terms of the operational
measurement (procedures, operations)
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Theories
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A theory tested by making a prediction based on theory
Representative of Samples
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Tentative explanations of facts and relationships in sciences
Always subject to change  revise because scientist are constantly testing them
Hypotheses
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The use of Operational measurement : to evaluate the quality of the evidence and the
alternative interpretations of the evidence
A relatively small groups of participants studied to learn about an entire population
Important of Replication in Research
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Repeating studies based on the scientific principle that the results of studies should be doubted
until the same results have been found in similar studies by other researchers
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RESEARCH METHODS
1. Descriptive Studies
2. Formal Experiments
3. Describing and Interpreting Data
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DESCRIPTIVE STUDIES (1)
• Survey Method
– A research method that uses interviews and questionnaires with individuals
– The primary advantage : gather great deal of information on a relatively short time
– The main disadvantage :
• The sample of people who are surveyed can influence the results
• Can not be sure that the answers are completely honest (esp. for sensitive topic)
• A number of subtle factors have been found to influence the results of surveys
• Naturalistic Observation
– A research method based on observation and recording behavior as it occurs in natural life
settings
• Clinical Method
– A method of studying people while they are receiving psychological help from mental health
proffesional
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DESCRIPTIVE STUDIES (2)
• Correlational studies
– Correlational Method : a research method that measure the strength of the
relation between variables
– Variable : a factor that can be assigned a numerical value
– Quantitative measures : capable of being measured in numerical terms
– Correlation Coefficient : to measure the strength & direction of the
correlation between two quantitative variables in statistical terms
(positive vs negative correlation, correlation coefficient = 0)
– Correlation does not necessarily mean causation
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FORMAL EXPERIMENTS (1)
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A research method that allows the researcher to manipulate the independent variable to
study its effect on the dependent variable
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Independent Variable : the variable whose quantitative value is independently controlled by the
researcher (ex. The conditions)
Dependent Variable : the measure of specific behavior of interest that expected to depend on
the effects of the independent variable
Experimental group : the group in an experiment that receives some value of the independent
variable
Control Group : the group that is not exposed to any level of the independent variable and is
used for comparisons with the treatment group
If the behavior of the participants in the experimental group differs from the behavior of
the participants in the control group, the hypothesis that differences in the IV cause
differences in the DV is supported, but only under 2 circumstances:
1. when the participants are randomly assigned
2. If all the alternatives explanations for findings have been ruled through strict experimental
control
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FORMAL EXPERIMENTS (2)
• Placebo control
– Placebo effects : changes in behavior produced by a condition in a formal experiment
thought to be inert or inactive
• Blind formal experiments
– The researchers recording the data (DV) does not know which participants had
received which condition of the IV
– Why ?
• To avoid un-intentionally recording the data in a way that would favor their hypothesis
• To rule out the possibility of experimenter bias
– Double blind experiments : the researchers and the participants do not know if they
are in the experimental or the control group
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DESCRIBING AND INTEPRETING DATA
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Descriptive statistic
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Statistic (mean, median, mode, SD) that summarize the numerical results of
studies
Reaching Conclusions from data
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Statistical significant : the question is whether the correlation and the
difference between means are greater that would be expected by chance
2 important issues :
1. When the size of the sample of persons in the study is larger
2. Statistical significance ‡ practical significance
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ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH
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WITH HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
1. Freedom from coercion
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No pressure or gift promise
2. Informed consent
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Has to tell about the procedures, risks and benefits
3. Limited deception
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The purpose of the study (if not before, after)
4. Adequate debriefing
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Right to know the results of the study
5. Confidentiality
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WITH NON HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
1. Necessity
2. Health
3. Humane treatment
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