Research Methods
Psychologists use many different methods for conducting
research. Each method has advantages and disadvantages that make it suitable
for certain situations and unsuitable for others.
Descriptive or Correlational Research Methods
Case studies, surveys, naturalistic observation, and laboratory observation are
examples of descriptive orcorrelational research methods.
Using these methods, researchers can describe different events, experiences, or
behaviors and look for links between them. However, these methods do not enable
researchers to determine causes of behavior.
Remember: correlation
is not the same as causation. Two
factors may be related without one causing the other to occur. Often, a third
factor explains the correlation.
Example: A psychologist uses the
survey method to study the relationship between balding and length of marriage.
He finds that length of marriage correlates with baldness. However, he can’t
infer from this that being bald causes people to stay married longer. Instead,
a third factor explains the correlation: both balding and long marriages are
associated with old age.
Measuring Correlation
A correlation
coefficient measures the
strength of the relationship between two variables. A correlation coefficient
is always a number between –1 and +1. The sign (+ or –) of a correlation
coefficient indicates the nature of the relationship between the variables.
A positive
correlation (+) means that as
one variable increases, the other does too.
Example: The more years of
education a person receives, the higher his or her yearly income is.
A negative
correlation (–) means that when one variable increases, the other one
decreases.
Example: The more hours a
high school student works during the week, the fewer A’s he or she gets in
class.
The higher the
correlation coefficient, the stronger the correlation. A +0.9 or a –0.9
indicates a very strong correlation; a +0.1 or a –0.1 indicates a very weak
correlation. A correlation of 0 means that no relationship exists between two
variables.
Common correlational
research methods include case studies, surveys, naturalistic observation, and
laboratory observation.
Case Studies
In a case
study, a researcher studies a subject in depth. The researcher collects
data about the subject through interviews, direct observation, psychological
testing, or examination of documents and records about the subject.
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