University of the Cordilleras

College of Arts and Sciences

Module 1A: Introduction/ Data Collection Methods
Field of Methods in Psychology

Topic Learning Outcomes

1. Provide specific examples for each type of psychological research, demonstrating
an understanding of their key characteristics and purposes.
2. Identify appropriate contexts and phenomena for qualitative research,
considering the richness and depth of information required.
3. Evaluate various data collection methods used in psychological research,
including surveys, interviews, observations, and archival research.

RESEARCH DESIGNS

Research design refers to the method used in the research including sampling
techniques, sources and procedures for data gathering, measurement of variables
and data analysis.

Research design is the plan, structure and strategy and. investigation concaved so
as to obtain search question and control variance” (Borwankar, 1995).

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH DESIGN

De Vaus (2001) uses construction as an analogy for research design. Before
constructing any building, knowing whether a builder needs a high-rise, a factory, a
school, or any type of building is essential.

The determination you make during the framing of the research design
process will significantly dictate the value of the conclusions you can derive from
your study outcomes (Bordens & Abbott, 2018).

While the length and complexity of the research design vary, the research design
itself consists of several parts. Note that the research problem will dictate the
research design, including its type and its elements. These parts are:

1. Purpose statement (the central research problem)

2. Data collection and analysis
3. Statistical method to analyze data
4. Settings for the study
5. Timeline
6. Probable objections
7. Validating the data

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

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 Qualitative research reflects a historical, intuitive, or observational approach.
Sociologist Weber described it as “verstehen” in which the researcher immerses
himself in the subject matter and develops “sensitizing concepts” which enhance
his understanding and explanation of reality. Qualitative research emphasizes
verbal descriptions and explanations of behavior or reality. Rather than concerning
itself primarily with representative samples, it emphasizes careful and detailed
descriptions of social practices to understand how the participants experience and
explain their world.

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative research is based on the natural sciences approach of positivism.

Quantitative research seeks to quantify or reflect a number of observations about a
phenomenon. It emphasizes precise measurement, the testing of hypotheses based
on a sample of observation, and a statistical analysis of data. Quantitative research
includes surveys, causal-comparative studies, correlational studies, meta-analyses,
and experimental research.

THREE MAIN TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Descriptive research is a type of research that is used to describe the

characteristics of a population. It collects data that are used to answer a wide range
of what, when, and how questions about a particular population or group.

a. Purpose: Descriptive research is conducted to gain a deep understanding

of the characteristics, behaviors, attitudes, or conditions within a specific
population or group. It is not aimed at establishing cause-and-effect
relationships but rather at providing a comprehensive snapshot of the
subject of interest.

b. Research Questions: Descriptive research seeks to answer questions such

as "What is happening?" or "What is the current status of a phenomenon?"
The focus is on exploring what, when, and how aspects of the subject
rather than why certain phenomena occur.

c. Focus on Description: The primary emphasis is on describing the

characteristics or features of the subject. This can include demographics,
behaviors, attitudes, relationships, or any other relevant aspect.

Strengths:
1. Study participants are questioned or observed in a natural setting (e.g., their
homes, childcare or educational settings).

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 2. Study data can be used to identify the prevalence of particular problems and
the need for new or additional services to address these problems.
3. Descriptive research may identify areas in need of additional research and
relationships between variables that require future study. Descriptive
research is often referred to as "hypothesis-generating research."
4. Depending on the data collection method used, descriptive studies can
generate rich datasets on large and diverse samples.

Limitations:

1. Descriptive studies cannot be used to establish cause-and-effect

relationships.
2. Respondents may not be truthful when answering survey questions or may
give socially desirable responses.
3. The choice and wording of questions on a questionnaire may influence the
descriptive findings.
4. Depending on the type and size of the sample, the findings may not be
generalizable or produce an accurate description of the population of
interest.

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

A correlational research study uses the non-experimental method where the

measurement of two variables occurs. It is up to the individuals conducting the
study to assess and understand the statistical relationship between them without
having extraneous influences occur.

a. Purpose: The primary purpose of correlational research is to examine

the statistical relationship between two or more variables. Researchers
aim to determine whether changes in one variable are associated with
changes in another variable without intervening or manipulating those
variables.

b. Research Questions: Correlational studies typically address questions

related to the strength, direction, and nature of relationships between
variables. Examples of research questions include "Is there a
relationship between study hours and academic performance?" or
"Does increased exercise correlate with better mental health?"

c. Focus on Association: The central focus of correlational research is on

identifying patterns of association or correlation between variables.
The researcher aims to measure the extent to which changes in one
variable are linked to changes in another variable

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Strengths:
1. Neither variable goes through a manipulative process.
When you choose a correlational research study to review variables, then neither
one goes through a manipulative process.

2. Two different data collection methods are available with correlational research.
The data gathered from a correlational research study can come from either
naturalistic observation or archival data.

3. The results from correlational research are more applicable.

Because a correlational research study occurs in real-life situations, the data that
gets gathered from this work is typically more applicable to everyday encounters.

4. It offers a beneficial starting position for research.

When a correlational research study begins to look at specific relationships or
phenomena to see if connections are present, then the variables provide an
excellent starting position to begin the review.

5. Researchers can determine the direction and strength of each relationship.

The variables that get studied with correlational research help us to find the
direction and strength of each relationship.

6. A survey method is helpful in correlational research.

Some correlational research study methods can benefit from the use of surveys to
collect information on a specific topic.

7. The results of a correlational research study are easy to classify.

A correlational research study uses what is called the “correlation coefficient” to
measure the strength of the relationship between the variables. It can range from
1.00 to -1.00.

Limitations:
1. Correlational research only uncovers relationships.
The benefit of a correlational research study is that it can uncover relationships that
may have not been previously known. Correlation does not equate to causation
when using this study method.

2. It won’t determine what variables have the most influence.

A correlational research study can help to determine the connections that variables
share with a specific phenomenon.

3. Correlational research can be a time-consuming process.

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Although the benefits of a correlational research study can be tremendous, it can
also be expensive and time-consuming to achieve an outcome.

4. Extraneous variables might interfere with the information.

There is no guarantee that additional influences will stay out of the correlational
research study.

5. Outcomes can be adversely impacted by the quality of the work.

The quality of the work performed during a correlational research study will
determine the usefulness of the data gathered.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

-This is a research method that requires the investigator to manipulate at

least one independent variable, controls other relevant variables, and observes the
effect on one or more dependent variables.
The variable manipulated by the experimenter is called the independent
variable. The independent variable is also called the experimental variable or the
treatment variable.
The variable affected by the manipulation of the independent variable is
called the dependent variable. This is also referred to as the criterion variable,
effect, or outcome of the study. It is the variable whose value changes because of
the manipulation of another variable.

a. Confounding Variables– those aspects of a study or sample that might

influence the dependent variable and whose effects may be confused with
the effects of the independent variable. Confounding variables are of two
types: intervening and extraneous variables.

b. Intervening variables– these refer to internal characteristics of the sample

that are influenced by the independent variable, and, in turn, influences the
dependent variable.

c. Extraneous variables– these refer to variables that may potentially influence

the result of the study but are not the variable of interest (e.g., researcher,
environmental, or measurement variable)

Strengths:

The experimental method makes it possible to determine whether changes in the

independent variable cause subsequent changes in the dependent variable. While
other types of research make it possible to determine whether or not there is a
correlation between a pair of variables, only the experiment can tell whether there
is a causal relationship. Experiments, by their very nature, require a particular
sequence of events to take place in a particular temporal order. They focus on

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change over time, while survey methods are much better at identifying static
correlational patterns.

Limitations:

The main weakness of the experimental method is their dependence on what many
see as an "artificial" environment. People may behave differently in the
experimental setting than they would under more ordinary conditions. While the
artificial environment of the experiment allows the unpredictable complexities of
ordinary life to be "controlled," it tends to remove the participants from the ordinary
context in which they live and place them instead in an artificial environment that
has little or no resemblance to the "real world."

References:
Child care and early education research connections. Descriptive Research Studies |
Research Connections

Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D. (2018) Research design : qualitative, quantitative,
and
mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, California : SAGE Publications, Inc.,

Gaille, L. (2020, January 17). 12 advantages and disadvantages of Correlational

Research Studies.

Kothari, C.R. (2004) Research Methodology: methods and techniques. New Delhi:
New Age International

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