Research Methods - Steps In Psychological Research

Question 0

Describe what happens in “identification of the research problem”.

Answer 0

Literature search on previous research conducted to help become more familiar with topic in order to refine the research question and to help make an educated hypothesis.

Question 1

What are the 7 steps in psychologial research?

Answer 1

Identification of research problem, formulation of a hypothesis, designing the method, collecting the data, analysing the data, interpreting the data, reporting research findings

Question 2

Describe what happens in “formulation of a hypothesis”

Answer 2

Hypothesis is made so it is a carefully written single-sentenced statement, expressed clearly and concisely, and in a way that can be tested

Question 3

Define: hypothesis

Answer 3

A testable prediction of the relationship between two or more events or characteristics.

Question 4

What is the format for writing hypotheses?

Answer 4

Population, IV, prediction, DV, lack of IV

Question 5

Describe what happens in “designing the research method”

Answer 5

Determines which participants and what procedures will be done to answer the question.

Question 6

Define: participant

Answer 6

People who take part in research

Question 7

Describe what happens in “collecting the data”

Answer 7

Study is conducted and raw data is gathered from participants
Raw data can be collected in the following ways: direct observation, questionnaire, interview, psychological test, recording physiological responses, examining archival files

Question 8

Describe what happens in “analysing the data”

Answer 8

Raw data is summarised and organised in a logical way

Large sets of data broken down into smaller sets, such as averages/percentages, tables/graphs

Question 9

Describe what happens in “interpreting the data”

Answer 9

Conclusions such as whether the results approve or disprove the hypothesis (usually with mathematical procedures), whether results can be generalised or has external validity, are formed.

Question 10

Define: conclusion

Answer 10

Judgement about what the results of a study mean

Question 11

Define: generalisation

Answer 11

Judgement about how widely the results can be applied

Question 12

Define: external validity

Answer 12

Conclusions from a research study can be generalised from the population from with the research was drawn.

Question 13

Describe what happens in “reporting the research findings”

Answer 13

Reports are made available to other psychologists, researchers and the public; may also be reported via conferences or journals

Question 14

Define: journal

Answer 14

Publications that contain results of research