METHODS IN

PSYCHOLOGY
Made by
Tanzila Razaq
Method

■ What is a method ?
■ In a systematic way, the term method is used to describe a system of procedures in
order to lead to the desired outcome. Every science employs methods, which are
peculiar to its subject matter. Psychologists utilize a wide variety of methods in
acquiring knowledge about behaviour.
Observation Method
■ OBSERVATION METHOD refers to watching and listening to the behaviour of other
persons, over time, without manipulating and controlling it, and record the findings for
interpretations. Non-experimental in design, where no manipulation of Independent
Variables is done.
■ It involves observation of behavior of others, their bodily activities, their facial
expressions, gestures, body language etc. There is natural social context in which
person’s behavior is studied. Through observation, one tries to obtain QUALITATIVE
as well as QUANTITATIVE data.
■ Steps of Observation
■ To record behavior
■ To note down behavior
■ To analyze behavior
■ Generalization and interpretation
Characteristics & Types of
Observation
■ Characteristics of Good Observation:
 It should be specific
 It should be systematic and planned
 It should be scientific and reliable
 It should be qualitative
TYPES OF OBSERVATION
There are several ways of classifying observation.
On the basis of nature:- Naturalistic Observation & Experimental Observation
On the basis of the usefulness of data:- Systematic Observation & Unsystematic observation
SURVEY RESEARCH METHOD

■ Technique whereby the researcher studies the whole population with respect to certain
sociological and psychological variables. asks a representative sample of people oral or
written questions to find out about their attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, opinions and
values.
■ Convenient random sample ,also called a Sample Survey researchers use preset
questions (questionnaires/interviews) to gather information used to obtain information
on political opinions, consumer preferences, health care needs and many other things.
often repeated over long periods of time in order to track shifts in public opinions or
actual behavior. gathers quantifiable data on behaviors and helps us test the hypothesis.
Principles of Survey design

■ The survey can be Structured or Unstructured.

■ A good survey design should have a clear purpose & standardized questions Principles
of Survey Design Keep the language simple.
■ Keep questions short and on one issue.
■ Avoid technical terms.
■ Avoid leading questions.
■ Avoid emotional or moral questions.
■ The Should-Would questions should be avoided.
Types of Survey Research
■ TYPES OF SURVEY RESEARCH:
■ PERSONAL INTERVIEW direct conversation between the interviewer and the respondent
is held with a view to elicit some information form the respondent series of open-ended
questions The respondent’s responses are recorded on tape or written down
■ Necessary conditions –
■ Accessibility Cognition Motivation
■ Two main disadvantages of personal interview:-  Higher cost  Interviewer bias.
■ MAIL QUESTIONNAIRE most common type of survey method used in educational and
sociological researches. Consists of self-administered questionnaires, having several items
designed to elicit the required information. a widely scattered population can be surveyed
rapidly personal bias and influence not involved, which tend to lower reliability and validity
of the survey They are the best for dealing with highly personal or embarrassing topics,
especially when anonymity of respondents is required.
Advantages and disadvantages of mail
questionnair method
■ Advantages of mail Questionnair
■  Less costly
■  It is done relatively quickly
■ Disadvantages of Mail Questionnaire
■ non-response from the respondent ineffective technique of survey where the objective and
purpose of the survey needs sufficient explanation Inflexible technique as there’s no way to
check the validity of the answers
■ When spontaneous answers are needed, mail questionnaire are not considered to be appropriate
the surveyor has no means by which he can be sure that the right person has answered the
questions. the researcher cannot observe the mode of expression of the respondent.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

■ EXPERIMENTAL METHOD is a research method in which the investigator

manipulates a variable (A) known as Independent Variable, whereby controlling the
other variables, known as Control Variables, and observing the effects of independent
Variable, upon the second variable known as the dependent variable (B) Effect of I.V.
upon D.V. Eg: Teaching method  Independent Variable Achievement in the class 
Dependent Variable Variables are the characteristics or conditions that are manipulated,
controlled or observed by the experimenter. A variable is anything that can vary in its
quantity or quality. Eg: Intelligence, anxiety, aptitude, income etc.
■ Types of Experiments Lab Experiment Field Experiment Quasi Experiment Three types
of variables in an experiment are Independent Variables Dependent Variable Control
Variables.
STEPS OF EXPERIMENTAL
METHOD
■ STEPS OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
■ 1. PROBLEM A problem may be defined as an interrogative testable statement which
expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables
■ 2. HYPOTHESIS Hypothesis may be defined as a suggested testable answer to a
problem, which is stated in a declarative form/sentence, about the relationship between
two or more variables. Problem: What is the relationship between IQ and class room
achievements? Hypothesis : IQ is positively related with the class-room achievement.
Types of hypothesis Directional Hypothesis Positive hypothesis Negative hypothesis
Non- Directional Hypothesis or Two-tailed hypothesis Null hypothesis
Advantages & disadvantages of
Experimental Method
■ Advantages of Experimental Method
■ uses scientific method based on facts data obtained can be generalized Results of
experimental method are valid and reliable can be repeated. It involves objectivity uses
Control explains cause and effect relationship method is standardized, replicable and
generalizable can predict human behavior has wide applications .
■ Disadvantages of Experimental Method
■ It is artificial. The experiment may lack ecological validity and lack of generalisability.
It is unethical to over control