Psychologists use different research methods to describe and explain behavior and the cognitive and biological processes behind it. This lesson introduces how to select an approach that fits a research question and distinguishes relationships between variables from cause-and-effect evidence.
A research method is a way of gathering evidence. Some methods observe behavior, some ask people questions, and others examine existing records. Experiments involve a more controlled interaction in which a researcher manipulates variables. No single approach answers every question equally well.
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What is correlational research?
Research that examines whether variables are related. It can reveal associations, but by itself it cannot show that one variable caused another.
What distinguishes an experiment from correlational research?
An experiment includes control and manipulation of a variable of interest, allowing stronger tests of cause and effect when the design is appropriate.
What does generalizing mean in research?
Applying findings from the people or situations studied to a larger population or other relevant situations.
Why can experiments have limited real-world applicability?
They may use artificial settings or conditions that differ from everyday life, raising questions about how well findings transfer.
What should guide a researcher’s choice of method?
The research question, the kind of evidence needed, practical limits, ethical responsibilities, and each method’s strengths and weaknesses.
Quiz questions
What is a key strength and limitation of a case study?Answer: It provides detailed information about a few people, but those cases may not represent a broader population.
In survey research, what is a sample?Answer: The subset of a population selected to take part in a study.
Why may archival researchers need to adapt their research questions to available records?Answer: They cannot control what information was originally collected or how it was measured.
What distinguishes a longitudinal study from a cross-sectional study?Answer: A longitudinal study repeatedly gathers data from the same people over time.
Why can an age-group difference in a cross-sectional study be difficult to interpret?Answer: The groups may differ because of their distinct cohort experiences, not just age.
Based on Psychology 2e by Rose M. Spielman, William J. Jenkins, Marilyn D. Lovett (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.