Research Methods
Standards and Goals
Psychology is an empirical discipline. Psychologists develop knowledge by doing
research. Research provides guidance for psychologists who develop theories to
explain behavior and who apply theories to solve problems in behavior.
AP students in psychology should be able to do the following:
• Differentiate types of research (e.g., experiments, correlational studies, survey research, naturalistic observations, and case studies) with regard to purpose, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Describe how research design drives the reasonable conclusions that can be drawn (e.g., experiments are useful for determining cause and effect; the use of experimental controls reduces alternative explanations).
• Identify independent, dependent, confounding, and control variables in experimental designs.
• Distinguish between random assignment of participants to conditions in experiments and random selection of participants, primarily in correlational studies and surveys.
• Predict the validity of behavioral explanations based on the quality of research design (e.g., confounding variables limit confidence in research conclusions).
• Distinguish the purposes of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
• Apply basic descriptive statistical concepts, including interpreting and constructing graphs and calculating simple descriptive statistics (e.g., measures of central tendency, standard deviation).
• Discuss the value of reliance on operational definitions and measurement in behavioral research.
• Identify how ethical issues inform and constrain research practices.
• Describe how ethical and legal guidelines (e.g., those provided by the American Psychological Association, federal regulations, local institutional review boards) protect research participants and promote sound ethical practice.
research. Research provides guidance for psychologists who develop theories to
explain behavior and who apply theories to solve problems in behavior.
AP students in psychology should be able to do the following:
• Differentiate types of research (e.g., experiments, correlational studies, survey research, naturalistic observations, and case studies) with regard to purpose, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Describe how research design drives the reasonable conclusions that can be drawn (e.g., experiments are useful for determining cause and effect; the use of experimental controls reduces alternative explanations).
• Identify independent, dependent, confounding, and control variables in experimental designs.
• Distinguish between random assignment of participants to conditions in experiments and random selection of participants, primarily in correlational studies and surveys.
• Predict the validity of behavioral explanations based on the quality of research design (e.g., confounding variables limit confidence in research conclusions).
• Distinguish the purposes of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
• Apply basic descriptive statistical concepts, including interpreting and constructing graphs and calculating simple descriptive statistics (e.g., measures of central tendency, standard deviation).
• Discuss the value of reliance on operational definitions and measurement in behavioral research.
• Identify how ethical issues inform and constrain research practices.
• Describe how ethical and legal guidelines (e.g., those provided by the American Psychological Association, federal regulations, local institutional review boards) protect research participants and promote sound ethical practice.
Unit Resources:
Online Glossary
Take a look at this link to preview the online text. Powerpoint for research Methods Practice MC Questions to help prepare for the Exam "Trippy Text": This online text written by an AP Psychology teacher up north may provide a light-hearted way for you to review the material. Study Stack flashcards for this unit Unit AssignmentsThe following assignments must be turned in/completed during this unit.
Flashcards- Due 11 August Vocab Quiz- 12 August Unit notes- Due 13 August Unit Exam-14 August |
|
Daily Activities
6 August-
We will begin our discussion on research methods in Psychology today with talk about why it is important for us to have proper research methods. You will all then be allowed to begin reading and taking notes for class tomorrow as well as work on your flashcards if you wish.
Working with a partner, take the true false quiz on page 32 of the book.
Were you surprised by your answers?
Why are we so overconfident?
The vocab list for the unit can be found on Page 71. Once again, feel free to print the power point for the unit (found above in the unit resources section) and take notes on it. The questions in the module and Unit reviews are a good way to ensure you have a solid understanding of the material.
You will also watch the crash course video on Research in Psychology
We will begin our discussion on research methods in Psychology today with talk about why it is important for us to have proper research methods. You will all then be allowed to begin reading and taking notes for class tomorrow as well as work on your flashcards if you wish.
Working with a partner, take the true false quiz on page 32 of the book.
Were you surprised by your answers?
Why are we so overconfident?
The vocab list for the unit can be found on Page 71. Once again, feel free to print the power point for the unit (found above in the unit resources section) and take notes on it. The questions in the module and Unit reviews are a good way to ensure you have a solid understanding of the material.
You will also watch the crash course video on Research in Psychology
7 August- You can discuss with each other and Mr. Marshall the material from module 4 in the book. If you feel you have a good grasp, you may move on and continue reading and taking notes on module 5. You will need to have these flashcards finished by Tuesday the 11th, and will have your vocab quiz on Wednesday the 12th.
10 August- Today we will review procedures and housekeeping items from the first week of class. We will review material from the history and Approaches as well as what Psychology is. You will turn in flashcards from unit 1 as well as take your vocabulary quiz for the unit.
11 August- Today in class we will recap the perspectives and sub-fields, and begin to discuss the need for critical thinking in psychology. We will view the following film clip on "The Amazing Randi" who uses critical thinking to debunk fake psychics.
Flashcards for the Unit are due today in class. The list of words can be found on page 71 of your text.
10 August- Today we will review procedures and housekeeping items from the first week of class. We will review material from the history and Approaches as well as what Psychology is. You will turn in flashcards from unit 1 as well as take your vocabulary quiz for the unit.
11 August- Today in class we will recap the perspectives and sub-fields, and begin to discuss the need for critical thinking in psychology. We will view the following film clip on "The Amazing Randi" who uses critical thinking to debunk fake psychics.
Flashcards for the Unit are due today in class. The list of words can be found on page 71 of your text.
We will also discuss the descriptive research methods and the strengths and weaknesses of each. (Module5)
12 August- Today you will begin class with your vocabulary quiz for Unit 2. We will then continue our discussion on correlation and causation. You will break into groups and design an experiment to show your understanding of the scientific method. (Module 6)
In your experiment, you will need to :
State a hypothesis,
Identify how Participants will be selected,
How will they be randomly assigned,
What the Control Group is,
What the Experiment group is,
Operantly define the independent and dependent variables,
Identify any Ethical concerns,
Identify a placebo (if needed),
Explain the need for a "double blind" study (if needed,
Explain any confounding variables that might exist,
Explain how you would share your results with others.
13 August- Today in class we will review and discuss the experiments you designed yesterday. You should be able to discern the different research techniques and explain the strengths and weaknesses of each. We will then examine the statistical representation of the data and how each aspect of it works. (Module 7)
14 August- Today we will wrap up our unit by examining the ethical principles of psychological research as well as answering any lingering questions from the unit. (Module 8)
Study Info and Tips:
This test will cover units one and two. (Modules 1-8 in the book)
Unit one (Modules 1-3):
Study the powerpoint and book for the unit.
You will need to know all material from the unit (look at the standards and goals sections at the top of that unit page)
Practice MC questions at the modules and unit (in the book)
Practice MC question from the website linked
(You will mainly need to know the perspectives, fields, and people from unit one)
Unit Two (Modules 4-8):
Study the powerpoint and book for the unit.
You will need to know all material from the unit (look at the standards and goals sections at the top of that unit page)
Practice MC questions at the modules and unit (in the book)
Practice MC question from the website linked
(You will have a free response question from this unit)
17 August- You will start class today by taking your examination on the Unit.
12 August- Today you will begin class with your vocabulary quiz for Unit 2. We will then continue our discussion on correlation and causation. You will break into groups and design an experiment to show your understanding of the scientific method. (Module 6)
In your experiment, you will need to :
State a hypothesis,
Identify how Participants will be selected,
How will they be randomly assigned,
What the Control Group is,
What the Experiment group is,
Operantly define the independent and dependent variables,
Identify any Ethical concerns,
Identify a placebo (if needed),
Explain the need for a "double blind" study (if needed,
Explain any confounding variables that might exist,
Explain how you would share your results with others.
13 August- Today in class we will review and discuss the experiments you designed yesterday. You should be able to discern the different research techniques and explain the strengths and weaknesses of each. We will then examine the statistical representation of the data and how each aspect of it works. (Module 7)
14 August- Today we will wrap up our unit by examining the ethical principles of psychological research as well as answering any lingering questions from the unit. (Module 8)
Study Info and Tips:
This test will cover units one and two. (Modules 1-8 in the book)
Unit one (Modules 1-3):
Study the powerpoint and book for the unit.
You will need to know all material from the unit (look at the standards and goals sections at the top of that unit page)
Practice MC questions at the modules and unit (in the book)
Practice MC question from the website linked
(You will mainly need to know the perspectives, fields, and people from unit one)
Unit Two (Modules 4-8):
Study the powerpoint and book for the unit.
You will need to know all material from the unit (look at the standards and goals sections at the top of that unit page)
Practice MC questions at the modules and unit (in the book)
Practice MC question from the website linked
(You will have a free response question from this unit)
17 August- You will start class today by taking your examination on the Unit.