Lecture notes
Research methods in psychology
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- Coventry University (West Midlands) (CU)
Lecture notes on research methods in psychology for first years students.
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Experimental methods:A variable is anything that can change, i.e., vary, such as memory, attention, the amount of
time needed to complete a task, etc. A crucial aspect of scientific research is the ability to
establish cause and effect, which is why psychologists use the experimental method.
To test its impact on the dependent variable, a researcher modifies the independent
variable (IV). (DV).
The other factors are kept constant (controlled) between the two scenarios.
If the results of the two groups differ significantly, we can infer that the independent
variable changed the dependent variable. (cause and effect).
variables that are independent and dependent
A researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) in an experiment and assesses the
impact on the dependent variable. (DV).
All other factors that could possibly have an impact on the DV should stay the same. This
gives the researcher the assurance that the change in the IV was the only factor affecting
the DV.
An independent variable is one that the researcher controls or that naturally changes.
Dependent Variable: The parameter that the researcher measures. Any modifications to the
IV should have an impact on the DV.
Levels on the IV:
We require various experimental setups in order to evaluate the impact of the IV. the
experimental condition and the control condition. A baseline measurement of behaviour
without experimental treatment is offered by the control condition. The situation that has
undergone researcher manipulation is the experimental one. In this circumstance, the
researcher is especially interested in determining whether a change in behaviour has taken
place.
Operationalization: A variety of behaviours, including intelligence, aggression, social anxiety,
etc., are of interest to psychologists. It's crucial that they are defined before studying them.
Defining variables precisely makes it possible to measure them.
Objectives and Hypotheses:
The aim, or main objective of the study, is a broad declaration of what the researcher
intends to look into. Goals are frequently developed from theories. For instance, the
purpose of this study is to find out if consuming energy drinks increases talkativeness.
The researcher needs to create a hypothesis after writing the aim. A testable assertion that
is made at the beginning of a study to predict its outcome is called a hypothesis.
The alternate/experimental hypothesis and the null hypothesis are the two hypotheses that
are written.
It is predicted by the null hypothesis that there will be no difference or connection.
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