Research methods

Main article: Introduction to research methods

Main article: Introduction to experimental psychology

The importance of planning

Breadth of research versus depth of research

Developing research questions

Experiments, quasi-experiments, and correlational studies

Alternative explanations

Measuring or classifying

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Analysing data

Interpreting results

Examples of different research methods

A very wide range of research methods are used in psychology.

Some of the approaches include:

• Laboratory experimentation
• Correlational research
• Naturalistic observation, in which researchers study a population while attempting to change as little as possible.
• Experimental study, in which researchers change a variable in the group being studied.
• Psychometrics
• Prospective study, in which a study samples subjects as the experiment progresses. Cf. Retrospective study.
• Retrospective study, in which data is collected on subjects' histories at one time. Cf. Prospective study.
• Longitudinal study, in which subjects are studied over a course of time. Cf. Cross-sectional study.
• Cross-sectional study, in which a snapshot of the population is assumed to represent individuals as they progress through life. See also Longitudinal study.
• Meta analysis, in which statistical results from a number of similar research studies can be amalgamated together
• Qualitative research
• Computer simulation, in which the behaviour and/or predictions of a psychological theory capable of being modelled by computer can be explored.
• Action research
• Participatory action research
• Discourse analysis
• Observational method
• Interview method
• Case study method
• Correlational method
• Experimental method
• Empirical method
• Quasi-empirical method
• Single-case designs

See also

• An introduction to the experimental method
• Intersubjective verifiability
• Abductive reasoning
• Study design
• Research governance
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Clinical trials
• Statistics and mathematics

References

Barker, C., et al(2002) Research Methods in Clinical Psychology : An Introduction for Students and Practitioners. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 047149089X

External links

[Research Methods Knowledge Base] - free

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