7126 Chapter Notes - Chapter MODULE 1: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Double Negative, List Of Fables Characters
20 Jun 2018
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SURVEY RESEARCH AND DESIGN
MODULE 1: Survey Research
Scientific Paradigm
- Positivism
oPhilosophy of science that confines itself to the data of experience; empirical evidence
oExcludes speculations or untouchable things
oEmphasizes the achievements of science
oRecurrent theme in the history of western thought
- Empirical approach to psychosocial research
oThe world is made up of phenomena which have properties that are measureable
oPsychological phenomena cn be measured, recorded and analysed
oInterpretation of analysis can leda to valid insights about how people think, feel and
behave.
- Scientific method
oObserve phenomenon
oAsk questions about why/how
oMake hypothesis
oConduct experiment
oCollect data
oAnalyse data
oInterpret and conclude
oApply findings
Types of Research
oExperimental
oQuasi experimental
oNon experimental
- Surveys are widely used in non experimental research, but also in quasi experimental and
experimental research
- Experimental
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oRandom assignment to groups
oControl over extraneous variables
oPros
Powerful method
oCons
Can be difficult to conduct
May not be ecologically valid
Expensive
Hard to recruit
Behavior might not be transferable into real world
Might not be ethical to run
- Quasi experimental
oUse of naturally occurring groups
Eg diseased vs healthy
oNon random assignment
oSome control over extraneous variables
Eg match participants for age and lifestyle
oPros
Balances rigour of experimental and lack of control of non experimental
- Non experimental
oNo random assignment, no groups
opros
ecological validity
natural environment
we go to them
ocons
minimal control over extraneous variables
What is a survey?
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- A standardized stimulus
- A measuring instrument
- A way of converting fuzzy psychological stuff into hard data for analysis
History of Survey Research
- Census!
- To track growth and changes in population
- About 100 years old
- Developed during 1920s
- Since the 80s, theories and principle evolved to create a unified perspective on the design,
conduct and evaluation of surveys
Survey research examples
- Used in
oDemographics; census
oEpidemiology; health surveys
oMarketing; customer satisfaction
oPolitics; polls
oPsychology; attitudes, emotions
oSociology; social trends
- Psychological topics investigated by survey research
oAttitudes and opinions: eg older peoples feelings about extending retirement age
oBehaviours: eg extent to which households recycle
oMotivations: eg reasons for attending university
oEmotions: eg levels of stress and anxiety
oSatisfaction: eg custom experiences
- Example survey research studies
oEnvironmental attitudes across cultures
oEffect of working hours on family life, depression and stress related health problems
oOptimism and pessimism as predictors of change in health after major life events
oEffect of age on positive and negative affect
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Document Summary
Positivism: philosophy of science that confines itself to the data of experience; empirical evidence, excludes speculations or untouchable things, emphasizes the achievements of science, recurrent theme in the history of western thought. Scientific method: observe phenomenon, ask questions about why/how, make hypothesis, conduct experiment, collect data, analyse data, interpret and conclude, apply findings. Types of research: experimental, quasi experimental, non experimental. Surveys are widely used in non experimental research, but also in quasi experimental and experimental research. Experimental: random assignment to groups, control over extraneous variables, pros. Behavior might not be transferable into real world. Quasi experimental: use of naturally occurring groups. Eg diseased vs healthy: non random assignment, some control over extraneous variables. Eg match participants for age and lifestyle: pros. Balances rigour of experimental and lack of control of non experimental. Non experimental: no random assignment, no groups, pros ecological validity natural environment. A way of converting fuzzy psychological stuff into hard data for analysis.
