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HOW PSYCHOLOGISTS GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE

We begin our exploration into the world of Psychology by gaining an understanding into what it is and why it is a science.

Psychology’s focus is both internal mental processes and external, observable behaviors. It is a broad field with many specialties, which are grouped in three major categories:
1. experimental psychology
2. teaching of psychology
3. applied psychology

Psychology is different from Psychiatry. Psychologists emphasize research, are qualified through earning a PhD and use therapy as treatment. Therapy means that the subject of the
treatment is assisted in working through their problems and finding solutions. Psychiatry is a medical specialty. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental
and behavioural problems and prescribe medication.

Like the other social sciences, Psychology is a science because it uses empirical investigation and the Scientific Method to do research and derive theories. These theories offer
explanations for the numerous aspects of human thought and behaviour.

Empirical investigation describes investigation using observation or some other sensory experience, such as tasting, touching, hearing etc. that is, any of the five senses.

The Scientific Method is built on the principles of using objective, verifiable evidence. Our text has broken the process into five steps:-
1. Developing a hypothesis
2. Performing a controlled test
3. Gathering objective data
4. Analyzing the results
5. Publishing, criticizing, and replicating the results

The Scientific Method is a vast improvement on earlier methods of explaining human behaviour and thought. These methods are referred to as pseudoscience, literally false science,
because the explanations cannot be proven. Pseudoscience includes fortune-telling and astrology.

There are five (5) types of psychological research:

1. Experiment
2. Correlational Study
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3. Survey
4. Naturalistic Observation
5. Case Study
These types of research all utilize empirical investigation and the Scientific Method to some extent. However, each one has its respective advantages and disadvantages. Thus the choice of
a research type would be dependent on the issues being researched.

See table below.

Research Methods in Psychology:
Their Advantages and Disadvantages

METHOD DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES DTSADVANTAGES

Case study A case study is an in-depth investigation of a
single person, group, event or community.
Typically data are gathered from a variety of
sources and by using several different methods (e.g.
observations & interviews).
Good source of hypotheses.
Provides in-depth information on individuals.
Unusual cases can shed light on situations or
problems that are unethical or impractical to
study in other ways.
Vital information may be missing, making the
case hard to interpret.
The person’s memories may be selective or
inaccurate.
The individual may not be representative or
typical.

The case study research method originated in

clinical medicine (the case history, i.e. the patient’s
personal history).

Case studies allow a researcher to investigate a topic

Naturalistic observation
in far more detail than might be possible if they
were trying to deal with a large number of research
participants with the aim of ‘averaging’.
Naturalistic observation is a research method Allows description of behavior as it occurs in Allows researcher little or no control of the
commonly used by psychologists and other social the natural environment. situation.
scientists. This technique involves observing Often useful in first stages of a research Observations may be biased.
subjects in their natural environment. This type of program. Does not allow firm conclusions about
research is often utilized in situations where cause and effect.
conducting lab research is unrealistic, cost
prohibitive or would unduly affect the subject's
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behavior.

Naturalistic observation differs from structured

observation in that it involves looking at a behavior
as it occurs in its natural setting with no attempts at
intervention on the part of the researcher.
Survey Provides a large amount of informa tion on If sample is non-representative or biased, it
The Survey method is the technique of gathering large numbers of people. may be impossible to generalize from the
data by asking questions of people who are thought results.
to have desired information. A formal list or Responses may be inaccurate or untrue.
questionnaire is usually prepared. Generally a non-
disguised approach is used.
Correlational study The correlational method is basically a statistical Shows whether two or more variables are Does not permit identification of cause and
procedure that allows the researcher to describe how related. Allows general predictions. effect.
strongly two or more events or characteristics are
related. The correlation
coefficient is a measure of the strength and direction
of the relationship between the two
factors. It is important to note that correlation does
not equal causation but can allow us
to make predictions.
Experiment The experimental method allows psychologists to Allows researcher to control the situation. Situation is artificial, and results may not
determine the causes of behaviors and mental Permits researcher to identify cause and effect, generalize well to the real world.
processes. In an experiment, one or more and to distinguish placebo effects from Sometimes difficult to avoid experimenter
factors are manipulated and all other factors held treatment effects. effects (bias).
constant. The factor that is manipulated
is called the independent variable. The behavior or
mental process that is observed and
measured in the experiment is called the
dependent variable. In general terms, the goal of
an experiment is to determine the extent to which
the independent variable influences
and causes the dependent variable.

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Adapted from: http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/1928/1974719/t01_03.pdf and other sources.

As discussed before, our aim is to conduct research and draw conclusions using objective, verifiable evidence. This means that we must do our best to remove this thing called bias. Bias is
subjectivity, a prejudiced view of evidence, of conducting the research, and even of designing the study. Bias can affect the persons conducting the research, the researcher, as well as the subjects
(participants) in the research study.

Emotional bias is subjectivity caused by emotions.

Expectancy bias is caused by persons’ expectations of what results the study will show.

Researchers use the following methods to prevent the effects of bias:-

Blind control – not telling the participants what the research study is about
Double-blind control - both participants and researchers are unaware of group assignment
Placebo – using a false drug which has no real effect

This brings us to the issue of ethics, that is, what is right or wrong. These standards are determined by the American Psychological Association (APA). This organization upholds:-

• Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct

• Shields participants from potentially harmful procedures
• Ensures confidentiality

Debriefing (disclosure of the objectives and findings of a study) is recommended whenever blind control is used.

PSYCHOLOGY’S SIX MAIN PERSPECTIVES

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