Home
Introduction
Psychology is?
Psychologists
Topic Areas
History
Hall of Fame
Human Mind
Dreams
Psych Symbol
Mental Health
Self-Help
Res. Methods
Project Help
Experiments
Psych Testing
Free Resources
Study Skills
Quality Links
Psych Blogs
Podcasts
Study Links
Degrees (USA)
Online Degrees
Degrees (UK)
AP Psychology
A Level
Psychology 2.0
Q & A
A Great Read
Online Videos
Newsletter
Psych Light
Associations
Expert Articles
Psych Software
Psych Movies
Psych Fiction
Psych Jobs
Guestbook
Psych E-Books
Psych Articles
Mag Articles
Psych Audio
Learn Psy. Free
Psychology Pics
Sigmund Freud
Psychoanalysis
Carl Jung
10 Things
Real World Psy'
Mentalism
Terms of Use
Contact Me
Psych Terms
Psychology OF...
Psych Ecards
Advertise With Us
Student Guide

[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

                                        

Psychology Research Methods


(Photo Credit: vlasta2)

If you study psychology formally then it's almost certain that you will have to learn about research methods and the dreaded 'S' word statistics. I hope that as you explore this page and follow the links to some excellent related support material, you'll realise that research methods and statistics in psychology is something you should try to embrace rather than fear.


Setting The Scene


Hugh Coolican notes that the key points in relation to psychology research are that:

  • Psychological researchers generally follow a scientific approach.
  • A scientific approach to research advocates careful definition and measurement, and the logic of testing hypotheses (predictions) elicited from falsifiable theories.
  • Hypotheses need to be precisely stated before testing.
  • Scientific research involves the promotion & checking of ideas among collegues.
  • Researchers employ probability statistics to decide whether effects are 'significant' or not.
  • Research must be carefully planned, and attention given to design, variables, samples & subsequent data analysis.
  • If there is a lack of planning in these areas results may be ambiguous, even useless.
  • Some psychological researchers reject the scientific methods outlined above.
  • In order to study people they advocate qualitative methods which deal with meaningful verbal data rather than exact measurement and statistical summaries.
  • Don't worry if you are confused by some this terminology. I promise it will become a lot clearer as you work you way through this page.

    For instance, Click Here to have a look at an experimental design tutorial which will help you understand the major concepts within the scientific approach to research.


    Outstanding Research Methods Links


    (Photo Credit: Terry Johnston)

    Psych 101 Research and Data Analysis in Psychology

    Series of very informative podcasts taken from the lectures of Fredric Theunissen from the University of Berkeley, California. Click Here to listen and learn.

    Research Methods Knowledge Base

    Written by Professor William M.K. Trochim, The Research Methods Knowledge Base is a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory undergraduate or graduate course in social research methods.

    It covers the entire research process including: formulating research questions; sampling (probability and nonprobability); measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); data analysis; and, writing the research paper. It also addresses the major theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research including: the idea of validity in research; reliability of measures; and ethics.

    The Knowledge Base was designed to be different from the many typical commercially-available research methods texts. It uses an informal, conversational style to engage both the newcomer and the more experienced student of research.

    You can access this incredibly useful online resource for free by Clicking Here.


    Recommended Research Methods Reading


    Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology by Hugh Coolican

    Book Description

    The latest edition of this market-leading textbook has been updated and revised to embrace current developments in this area of psychology. It remains a comprehensive survey of research methods in psychology today, with clear and detailed explanations of statistical concepts and data analysis.

    It also covers the full range of experimental and non-experimental methods and explores the ongoing quantitative-qualitative debate among researchers. It reexamines issues surrounding validity; including confounds, quasi, field, and non-experiments, and includes a new section on ethnographic methods.

    See following link for more details:

    Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology

    UK Visitors Click Here


    Bookmark & Share This Page

    Looking For Something In Particular? Try Google Search

    Google
     


    Back To Top Of The Page

    Go From Psychology Research Back To The Home Page

                                            



    footer for psychology research page