2. Methods of Enquiry in Psychology
Psychological enquiry aims to describe, predict, explain, and control human behavior using systematic methods. The chapter outlines various research methods employed in psychology, including observational, experimental, and survey methods, and discusses their applications, strengths, and limitations. Ethical considerations are also emphasized to guide researchers in conducting studies that respect participants' rights and wellbeing.
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What we have learnt
- Psychological enquiry involves goals of description, prediction, explanation, control, and application.
- Different types of data, including demographic, physical, and psychological information, are essential for research.
- Methods such as observation, experiments, correlational studies, and surveys are crucial for collecting data in psychological research.
Key Concepts
- -- Psychological Enquiry
- A systematic approach to studying human behavior and mental processes to achieve goals such as prediction and explanation.
- -- Independent and Dependent Variables
- Independent variables are manipulated in experiments to observe their effect on dependent variables, which are the outcomes measured in response to these manipulations.
- -- Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
- Qualitative methods focus on understanding the depth of human experiences, while quantitative methods use numerical data to identify patterns and make statistical inferences.
- -- Ethical Principles
- Guidelines that researchers must follow to ensure the safety, privacy, and informed consent of participants during psychological research.
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