Behavioral ResearchWhere to Start?

Chapter Two

Introduction

Where do scientists get research ideas? Past Research- published findings of previous

studies. Observation of the World around us

Kitty Genovese-Helping Behavior Hitler-Blind Obedience

Common Sense Practical Problems Theories

Theories

Two Important Functions of theories:

. 1. Organize and explain a variety of facts or descriptions of behavior.

2. Generate new knowledge by focusing our thinking so that we notice new aspects of behavior

.

Initial Phase of research: Hypothesis

Hypothesis-tentative idea stated in formal terms that two or more variables are related to each other. Ex: Crowding results in reduced performances on cognitive tasks. Hypothesis should have three elements Correspondence with Reality-the extent to which the

hypothesis agrees with accepted truths and known facts. Combination of coherence and Parsimony- the hypothesis

should make sense ( coherent) and should be straightforward and simple (parsimony).

Falsifiability- hypothesis must in principle have the ability to be refuted.

Prediction

After the hypothesis is formulated, the researcher would make a prediction concerning the outcome of the experiment. Ex: Participants in the un-crowded condition will perform better on the tasks than participants in the crowded condition.

Results of the study have to be phrased in a specific way. If the results of the experiment are as predicted we say our hypothesis is supported ( not proven); if the experiment results go against our prediction we do not say it was disproven, wrong, etc. We would state the results do not support the current hypothesis. ….WHY?

Library Research

Before Conducting any research, an investigator must have a thorough knowledge of previous research findings.

Sources of Research: Professional Journals Psychological Abstracts Internet Searches PsycINFO

Basic steps involved in Scientific research and reporting

Posing a question-Hypothesis---Introduction

Developing procedures to answer the question-Methods

Planning for, and then making, appropriate empirical observations-Conducting the experiment-Results

Rationally interpreting the empirical observations-Conclusion

PsychINfO

APA computer database system of Psych Abstracts

Available on the www, usually through the library system.

Updated weekly, covers from 1800-present

Good place to start, however the full article may be needed.

PsychINFO Search

Usually begins with a box for Search term or phrase

Testing Depression and Exercise Best to be as specific as possible first or

you will pull up too many citations. EX: Type in: the effects of exercise on

depression or exercise as a depression treatment.

The use of “and”, “or” and “not”

To use these operators you must be in PsychINFO Advanced search or Google

Use of AND: forces both conditions to be included. If you type in depression and anxiety, you will get all hits on depression and all hits on anxiety.

Advanced Search: Depression AND Anxiety will only list references that include both.

PsychINFO

Or: Advanced search-when first search was too narrow

Depression OR Major Depressive Disorder Or Melancholia will include all of these words that could describe depression.

NOT: If you want to include some things and not others: Depression NOT Manic Depressive Disorder.

Other Electronic Resources

Medline PubMed PsycARTICLES (

http://www.apa.org/psycarticles) Scholar Google

Evaluating Web Information

Is the site associated with a major educational institution? If the site is sponsored by a single individual or organization it should be viewed with skepticism.

Check credentials of those providing information: “Sam’s view on Depression” is probably not very credible.

Do links lead to legitimate organizations? Is the information current?

Anatomy of a Research Article

Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion