PSYC104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Dialectic, Kurt Lewin, Applied Psychology
Research Task 3 - Questions and Literature Review
Aspects of Research Design
1. Depends on the state of knowledge in the area (more developed areas more
refined design)
2. must be rigorous (thorough and systematic)
3. Provides the structure for the research
4. Good design requires that it be:
• Based on theory
• Situationally appropriate
• Feasible (you can implement it)
• Redundant (data points can be lost)
• Efficient (least demand on resources)
Critical Role of Theory in Psychological Research
Kurt Lewin 1951
• Costly and inefficient method of trial and error
• Theoretical and applied psychology
• There is nothing so practical as a good theory
Central Aspects of a Research Question
Influencing factors include:
1. The question arises from the consideration of the focus of the research. The
phenomenon is in terms of specifying the question. (must be about identified
as the current phenomena)
2. The stage of theory development will impact the question
3. The population or sample of data will in most cases be specified in the
question or theory
Hypotheses include:
• Measurable or quantitative questions
• As specific as possible in order to be TESTABLE
Understanding Research Questions
1. Questions are constructed to focus information and knowledge acquisition to
provide an answer (gather information to answer a question)
2. Questions about psychological issues focus on characteristics, causes,
consequences, processes and meanings
3. Appear as statements which can be evidence of a premature judgement
4. Good questions are critical to quality research because they prevent
confusion and overload in the project
Steps in Research Generation
1. State with a general topic that will be later modified because it is too broad or
some other problem occurs. Sources include personal experience, curiosity,
an issue arising from another researcher in reading or teaching and
professional experience
2. Review the existing literature (stage of research is important)
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