Statistical Research in Psychology

According to the course syllabus we were introduced to the techniques of psychological research. This course was able to provide an understanding of how research is done, and what methods we can use to do so. By having a clear understanding of research and techniques used, it allows us to communicate effectively in regards to ideas behind the research process. In this paper, I will use myself as the case study to examine exactly what I learned about research.

Statistics provides us with very useful tools and techniques that aide us in dealing with real world scenarios. I have been able to learn several useful concepts by studying statistics that can aide me in making rational and informed decisions that are supported by the analysis results. Statistics as a discipline is the application and development of various processes put in place to gather, interpret, and analyse the information. The quantification of biological, social, and scientific phenomenons, design and analysis of experiments and surveys, and application of

Secondary data using existing data, as related to new data that is being gathered or have been recently gathered. Information already exist on the topics that are being studied. In quantitative approaches, it is this knowledge that assists one with finding the hypothesis to be examined in the new research. It opens the door for the researcher to further explore and generate new questions for the study. This also allows the researcher to find gaps in the research process. Secondary data sources can be acquired via the

Methods used in psychological research are used to obtain quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data is more often than not derived from methods such as experiments and statistics analysing data using surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data tends not to be aimed at finding exact measurements in its findings, but is more concerned with evidence collection and analysis through practices such as observation and ethnography (using observations through involvement in activities over a period of time) (Brownlow 2011).

Dunbar, G. (2005). Evaluating Research Methods in Psychology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Primary data is intended for personal/company use and is compiled by the user for a specific requirement.

Primary data are collected expressly for research. Observational studies, meaning studies with no dictated intervention, require the collection of new data if there is no adequate existing data for testing

The next step is to form a testable hypothesis, or educated guess. A hypothesis must phrased in a way that in which another person can test the same hypothesis to verify or discredit it. After the hypothesis is formed, the experimenter must choose and appropriate research study. For example, if a scientist want to do a study about the behaviors of a particular person, like in the case Phineas Gage and the psychological affects of the iron rod that shot through his head, than the scientist may want to conduct a case study. Once the research method is established and the study has been planned out, then it is time to conduct the experiment and collect the data. The final step is to analyze the data to see if it supports or rejects the hypothesis. If the results do not support the hypothesis, then one should revise their hypothesis. If the results do support the hypothesis, then the study should be replicated to validate this study. Sharing the results of the experiment with other members of the scientific community is also an important part is advancing one’s understanding of the particular

This paper will review different styles of research design along with how different variables within research can be measured.

A person should consider I/O psychology as a science because of its use of scientific research and its practice and because of its use of descriptive and inferential statistics (Spector, 2012), “I/O psychologists do many different jobs in a wide variety of settings” (p. 6). One divides I/O settings into two areas of concern, which are scientific research and practice. The research area provides certain principles, which one applies in practice. The activity of practice involves using psychological principles for solving problems of the real-world. Scientific research and practice are both important in I/O psychology. I/O psychologist perform studies were the requirements of statistical methods are necessary for analysis of data. Statistical methods are used to perform studies are descriptive and inferential statistics. I/O psychologists use descriptive statistics for summarizing study results. I/O psychologists use inferential statistics for the purpose of interpreting the results of studies by using different statistical tests.

Primary research. This has to be gathered first and to answer certain questions that are related to the project; therefore it is more time consuming and expensive. Primary research is considered to be a reliable source of information as it is coming directly from consumers.

Throughout this course I have learned many things about research at an introductory level. Research is a critical part of all of our lives in many ways. God blesses each of us with a degree of common sense and we all learn from observing others even as babies, we learned behaviors and skills by observing our parents. Walking through experiences throughout life teach us a lot we need to know as well but sometimes we have to take a better approach when we need to learn about certain things. Many of us know that what works in some situations or with certain individuals doesn’t always work or is the safest option for another situation. Controlled and precisely organized study allows scientists to compare and examine contrasting methods and concepts, also helps them to discover various approaches and be able to learn from individual’s behaviors and experiences. I will act as the case study throughout this paper in order to observe what I have learned about.

Primary and secondary sources are ways in which data can be retrieved. As Serakan (2006) stated, “Primary data refer to information obtained by the researcher on the variables of interest for the specific purpose of the study”. Various evidence suggesting to what methods of primary research can be conducted and which are most effective for the previously mentioned problem description are stated in this chapter.

At the beginning of this subterm, I had a limited understanding of the proper research methods used within psychology. Despite having previously completed several psychology courses, two being upper level courses, there was still much I needed to learn pertaining to psychology research methods. While this research class has been on only an introductory

First of all. I learned research methods from the video lecture. That is the first time I've heard about a detailed explanation of research methods. I was really interested in it because it is very important for us. The higher education level we are, the more research we need to do. As what I've learned, research has seven methods. The first step called: “defining the problem”. That means at the really first time when we do research, we should know what we want to know via this research. We need to come up some research question in our mind. The second step called: “reviewing the literature”. In this step, we should read some previous studies which are related to our topic. The literature must be trustable, and for journals, peer review is the better choice. The third step called: ” forming a hypothesis”. This step tells us after we are familiar with the previous research, maybe we can form a hypothesis in our mind. Actually, I have a little question about this step. Is this hypothesis based on the gap in the previous? The fourth step is choosing a research design. This is a step that organizes our research method. We need to think about who is the participants, when and how well we collect data. The fifth step is collecting the data. This step is kind of do your research plan what you prepared in the fourth step. There are many ways we can choose to collect data. Such as questionnaires, online survey etc. Next step is analyzing the data. This step is kind of tell the readers our research results. For here, we should determine if our hypothesis was true, false, or inconclusive. Also how the result similar to your thought. The final step is drawing conclusions. I think this is the most important part because you