2.9 - Summary

Psychological research aims to describe behaviors, predict future behaviors, explain why behaviors occur, control or modify these behaviors, and apply the knowledge gained to improve people's lives. This means that psychologists are not just observing what people do, but they are also looking for patterns, reasons behind actions, ways to influence behaviors positively, and taking findings from research to practical situations.

Psychological research typically unfolds in four major steps: First, researchers identify and define a specific problem they want to study (conceptualising a problem). Next, they gather data through various means like surveys or experiments (collection of data). After data is collected, they analyze it to draw conclusions (analysing data). Finally, they review their findings and may adjust their conclusions based on what they discover (drawing and revising research conclusions).

Psychologists collect various types of data depending on the nature of their research. Demographic data might include age and gender, environmental data might explore living conditions, while physiological data might assess physical health aspects. Psychological data focuses on mental processes. Importantly, all data collected must be viewed within the specific context of the study it comes from, acknowledging that different situations can affect the reliability and interpretation of that data.

Psychologists employ various methods to gather information on behaviors. One common method is observation, where researchers watch subjects carefully and record specific behaviors. This method has distinct characteristics like selecting which behaviors to observe, recording what is seen, and analyzing the data collected afterward to understand behavioral patterns.

In psychological experiments, researchers use experimental and control groups to test hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships. An experimental group receives a treatment or condition (the independent variable), while a control group does not. By comparing the outcomes of both groups, researchers can determine if the changes observed in the experimental group were indeed caused by the independent variable.

Correlational research does not involve manipulation of variables but examines existing relationships to see how one variable might predict another. A positive correlation means as one variable increases, so does the other, while a negative correlation indicates as one increases, the other decreases. The strength of this association is measured numerically, providing insight into how strongly linked two variables are.

Surveys are designed to collect information from a large number of people to gauge opinions, attitudes, or behaviors. This can be done through various means like structured interviews, where questions are predetermined, or unstructured methods that allow for open-ended answers. Mailed questionnaires and telephone surveys are other methods that help researchers understand existing realities through broader population insights.

Psychological tests help assess various human characteristics in a systematic way. They are designed to be objective and standardized, meaning they can be consistently applied to anyone and yield comparable results. These tests might gauge intelligence, personality, skills, or other attributes through verbal and non-verbal questions and tasks.

Case studies provide a deep view into individual cases, allowing researchers to gather extensive information and insights about specific phenomena. This could involve studying one person, a small group, or an event that reveals critical insights that can inform broader psychological understanding.

Once data is collected through various methods, researchers need to analyze the data, which is typically done using quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods involve statistical analyses that provide numerical data interpretation, while qualitative methods focus on descriptive analyses to understand deeper, subjective meanings.

While psychological research provides valuable insights, it also encounters significant limitations. For instance, psychological measures often lack a true zero point, meaning they can only provide relative assessments rather than absolute measures. Furthermore, tools developed may be contextually biased, and qualitative data can often lead to subjective interpretations, making consistent analysis challenging.

Researchers must adhere to strict ethical principles that ensure participants' rights and welfare are respected. This includes ensuring voluntary participation without coercion, obtaining informed consent about the study's nature, and sharing findings with participants to promote transparency and trust in research.