Introduction to research methods

Question 1

What is methodology and

Answer 1

methodology - study of methods.

Question 2

What do we use research methods for.

Answer 2

to check for proofs and obtain knowledge.

Question 3

when can a belief become knowledge

Answer 3

once its checked and proven. First it is subjectively true then once proven it becomes objectively true (independent of the persons beliefs, it becomes fact)

Question 4

what s scientific research and why do we use it.

Answer 4

Its building knowledge by using specific research methods to check for proofs (facts)
eg to make beliefs become knowledge.

Question 5

How does scientific research work?

Answer 5

-start with a scientific belief (hypothesis)
-check for proof using scientific research methods, to prove your hypothesis.
-If proven correct your hypothesis turns into scientific knowledge (objective)

Question 6

what is a hypothesis

Answer 6

an unproven statement or proposition.

Question 7

Scientific knowledge builds on top of each other, so it starts with what others have done to…

Answer 7

increase knowledge, so you start with others proofs and add to it or disprove it.

Question 8

Explain expertise is scientific reserach and why its important

Answer 8

Its fundamental that experts share their knowledge and there is enormous specialisation in scnience and no one can know everything so experts come together to research topics that they specilize in.

Question 9

How is knowledge from experts shared ?

Answer 9

communication from media, journals, books, collaborations (experts coming together to share their expertise)

Question 10

How is knwoeldge verified

Answer 10

you can use peer review (quality check) when another expert critisizes your work and fact checks it and you can use refs to other scientific studies.

Question 11

process of belief becoming knowledge

Answer 11

-belief (subjectively true)
-check for proofs using methodology
-if proven beliefs become knowledge (objectively true)

Question 12

why do we need reserach methods

Answer 12

because we dont have access to an objevtive reality where we know everything perfectly without a flaw.
So we use scientific research methods to attempt to protect us from our biases, limitations and interests.

Question 13

what are examples of biases and limitations

Answer 13

-imperfect memeory (cog limitation)
-impact of our prior experinces eg schemas, beliefs and expectations.
-conflict of interest ( the tedency to try and prove ourselves right no matter what.
-limitations of our senses (perception is diff for everyone)

Question 14

what are some challenges when it comes to psychological research and short example (should be 5)

Answer 14

• unobservable phenomena eg memory
  -subjectivity of object of investigation eg everyones perception of image and sounds are diff
  -social contructions- eg facial expressions
  -ethics- eg danger to humans when testing new drugs
  -investigator affects- eg can effect concerntration

Question 15

Why is dealing with unobservable phenomena a challenge in psych reserach and give examples of unobservable phenomena for each approach.

Answer 15

psychological experinces (phenomena)cannot be observed by another person.
consequence- phenomena therefore must be inferred and interpretated eg reports. So theres an uncertaintity if its correct.

eg cog psych- memory, consciousness,
social psych- cultures and values
developmental psych- experinces and learning
bio psych- complex dynamics in the brain (cant be directly observed)
clinical- pain

Question 16

why is the subjectivity of the object of investigation a challenge in psych research

Answer 16

This is because psych insights are based on responses or reports from people who subjectively interpret their environment. eg see things from their pov. eg;
developmental- child responding to parent/teacher.
cog- perception of image/sound
This risks mixing subjectivity eg biases into observations.

Question 17

How do Social constructions act as a challenge in psych reserach. (and what is social contructions)

Answer 17

This can be phenomena we are studying that are not physically fixed but socially constructed. They only have that set meaning because we mutually agreed what that specific phenomena means eg facial expressions or behaviour - sighing = fed up.
This can make it hard to establish cause and effect.

Question 18

How do ethics present challenged is psych research and examples.

Answer 18

when investigating psych phenomena we usually depend on examining humans. We cant freely manipulate humans (our object of investigation) as it can cause harm. eg;
clinical- testing new drugs
developmental- testing new ways of learning (may not work then hinders student)

Question 19

How do investigator effects cause challenges in psych reserach

Answer 19

human beings effect other humans.
-the researcher may effect the pp concerntration, motivations etc
-maybe the reseracher is attractive and therefore the pp changes their behaviour.
So results may be skewed due to pp investigator interactions.