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RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
In order to successfully meet these outcomes, we'll take a look at the research process - the steps a psychologist would take when carrying out their research. We'll also look at the different methods a researchers might use when studying their chosen topic and the ethical guidelines they have to stick to. Next we'll check out the different ways a psychologist might recruit participants for their study and how they would calculate some basic statistics from their collected data.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Psychologists study mental processes and human behaviour by observing, interpreting, and recording how people and other animals relate to one another and the environment
Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain thought, emotion, feelings, or behaviour. The research findings of psychologists have greatly increased our understanding of why people and animals behave as they do
WHY DO WE NEED RESEARCH METHODS?
WHY DO WE NEED RESEARCH METHODS?
TLDR: RESEARCH METHODS ALLOW US TO STUDY HUMAN BEHAVIOUR SCIENTIFICALLY
BY USING RESEARCH METHODS TO STUDY HUMAN BEHAVIOUR, IT MAKES PSYCHOLOGY AN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND HELPS TO ELIMINATE UNSOUNDS OR OUTDATED PRACTICES IN FAVOUR OF MORE EFFECTIVE ONES BY SHIFTING THE BASIS FOR DECISION MAKING FROM TRADITION, INTUITION, AND UNSYSTEMATIC EXPERIENCE TO FIRMLY GROUNDED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Back in the day (and worryingly nowadays too) some people believed the Earth was flat. Then science came along in the form of the ancient Greek philosopher Eratosthenes and showed that the world was in fact round!
The same principle applies for the study of human behaviour and the mind. Before the 'Era of Enlightenment' deviant behaviour was often blamed on possession by demons or witches and was 'treated' with equally dubious methods...
Without proper scientific guidance, you’re relying on untested theories to guide practice which can result in treatments/advice which either doesn’t work or in some cases makes things worse
Without proper scientific guidance, you’re relying on untested theories to guide practice which can result in treatments/advice which either doesn’t work or in some cases makes things worse
Trepanning – which comes from the Greek word 'trypanon', meaning a device for boring holes – is the oldest-known surgical procedure, and possibly one of the most grim...
It’s hard to believe that a procedure even more brutal than trepanation was widely performed in the 20th century. Lobotomy involved severing connections in the brain’s prefrontal lobe with an implement resembling an icepick (a leucotome).
The last two last two icepick lobotomies were performed in 1967. One of the patients died from a brain haemorrhage three days later.
ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY
Can you find any more examples of unscientific practice either in psychology or medicine? What's the weirdest treatment you can find?
Over the years, and with a growing understanding that a more scientific approach is generally better if we want accurate results, researchers have developed a step-by-step guide that we follow when carrying out research in psychology. They call this 'The Research process'
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