Research Methods In Psychology

There are some research methods that are used in psychology to collect data:
Observation Psychology
1. Natural Observation: This involves studying the spontaneous behavior of participants in
natural surroundings and environment. The researcher simply records what they see in
whatever way they can in a natural environment.

2. Controlled Observation: In this the researcher explains the research aim to the group, so
the participants know they are being observed and the observe avoids any direct contact
with the group.

3. Structured and unstructured Observation: In structured method, researchers gather data

without direct involvement with the participants and the collection technique
is structured in a well-defined manner.
In unstructured observations, the observer records all relevant behavior which he sees.

4. Participant and Non-Participant Observation: In participant observing, the observer

become active participants in the group or situation they are observing.
In non-participant observation, the observer is not a participant of the group. He study the
behaviors from some distance.

Experimental Method:
It involves the manipulation of two or more variables to establish cause and effect relationships
in controlled method. An experiment is an investigation in which we scientifically test a
hypothesis. The advantage of this method is it allows the researcher to determine the changes of
one variable can cause the change on other variable.

Case Study:
It refers to the use of a descriptive and detailed research approach to obtain an in-depth analysis
of a person, group. A variety of techniques may be used in this including personal interviews,
direct-observation, psychometric tests, and archival records.

Interviews:
Interviewer can ask different types of questions to collect different types of data. Like closed
questions provide people with a fixed set of responses and replies, whereas open questions allow
people to express their thinking and feeling in their own words.