Scientific Methods and Ethics in Psychological Research: Approaches and Applications
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Introduction: Scientific Methods and Ethics in Psychological Research: Approaches and Applications
The term psychological research is generally referred to as research which has been conducted by a psychologist for systematic study. Apart from this, the research has been conducted for the experience analysis as well as on the analysis of the behaviours of the individuals and groups. There are numerous applications for psychological research. The analysis of the data collected by using the psychological scientific research methodology has applications in various sectors such as occupational, educational and clinical. The main purpose behind psychological research has been the application of the understanding from the research to generate evidence-based strategies to improve lives and solve problems. The report sheds light on the scientific methods which are generally used by psychological researchers to make psychology scientific. Apart from this, the report also highlights the experimental and non-experimental methods used in the psychology study. The application of the approaches and ethical guidelines are also discussed in the study along with their strengths and weaknesses.
Discussion
AC 11.1: Explain what is meant by scientific methodology
The scientific method is referred to as the process which establishes the objects and facts through experiment and testing. The process of the scientific method basically involves the formation of a hypothesis, observation, generating predictions and conducting experimentation as well as analysis of the final results (Stefanowitsch, 2020). This is also considered a kind of process which also helps the scientist to verify investigate and construct an accurate as well as reliable version of the phenomenon that is natural. The process is generally conducted to validate the psychological study.
The main purpose to conduct the psychological study using the scientific method is to validate the questions which has to be measured in the experiment. The process helps in ensuring that the data has been collected experimentally and by the facts have been accurate or not. According to Hayes, (2021), it has been stated that the important reason for using a scientific method is generally to analyses the observations which have been generated at the initial point of the experiment. There are various steps which are generally adopted by scientists for psychological research. There are some steps in the sequences which the scientist has to follow to conduct a study using the scientific methodology.
The figure above also illustrates the different steps such as formulation of questions, collection of data and creating of hypothesis, experiment and testing the hypothesis, Analysis of the observations and then conclusion. The process of scientific methodology also includes the research design. According to Creamer and Reeping (2020), it has been considered a blueprint for scientific study. This section of the process generally includes the techniques and tools which help in conducting the research. The research design in psychological research is a kind of particular method as well as a procedure which are basically used to generate the data, collect the data and analyse the information gathered from the collected data.
Apart from this, it also includes repetitive measures design along with the independent measure design. The sampling technique has also been a crucial step for the scientific research methodology. It includes the various kinds of sampling strategies that involve variables of different kinds such as independent variables (IV) and dependent variables (DV). these variables also play an important role in the validation of psychological research (Siedlecka and Denson, 2019). Sometimes the methods also include extraneous variables which sometimes affect the DV of the research study.
AC 11.2: Discuss two scientific research methods commonly used by psychologists
Experimental methods
This kind of research method is a type of quantitative research which has been found to generally control the variables. This methodology has been also found to use to test the hypothesis which has been created after the collection of data. There are various kinds of experimental methods used for conducting psychological research such as laboratory, natural and field. Out of these three one of the chosen methods is “Field”. According to Giorgi, (2020), it has been stated that a field experiment is a kind of study which has been generally conducted outside the laboratory in a “real-world setting”. In this kind of method, the participants are generally exposed to one of the two as well as to more levels of the IV (Independent variables) and then take an observation of their behaviour. In this kind of method, the participants are totally unaware of the fact that they are a part of the research experiment.
Strength: The behaviours of people are more natural in the field (higher realism). It has been very easy to generalize from the result.
Weakness: Control of the extraneous variable is very weak. It is costly and time-consuming.
Non-experimental method
This kind of research generally does not control the variables. Instead of this, this kind of experiment generally considers the naturally occurring factors without manipulating the collected data in order to test the created hypothesis. There are various kinds of non-experimental methods used for psychological studies such as case studies, interviews, questionnaires and naturalistic observation. The method which has been mainly chosen for the experiment is a Case study. According to Swart et al. (2019), it has been stated that a case study is a kind of learning technique which generally provides an exploration of the issues that are real and within the defined context and has made use of a variety of data sources. This kind of learning technique usually involves participants who face a particular problem.
Strength: It is a kind of important and valuable research form. Provides in-depth data, and suggests directions for further research.
Weakness: Generalizing results from a wide population creates problems, and objectivity and detachment generally get lost.
AC 21.1: Evaluate the application of two approaches in psychology to an aspect of human behaviour
In the provided case study, the child named Luke has some changes in personality that are noticed by her mother. The very changes in the attitude and personality of a child are often marked as casual where no such critical issues are present. However, Luke’s mother has issues that before that time Luke had not developed such an attitude where hiatus sister is not observed with such changes in the personality (Lomas et al. 2021). According to the doctor children from different age groups can face such psychological issues as a result of certain unfulfilled desires that may be caused by their parents. However, in such cases in case the doctors or the parents are observing something different and awkward in their children's attitude there is a need to assess the situation with psychological approaches.
The approaches that can be considered to justify the case are Biological and Humanistic which can derive better information based on the situation that has been faced by the children’s mother. The above-mentioned two approaches are the most professional and worthwhile to identify the reasons behind the personality change of the children.
The respected approach of biological assessment indicates following and studying Brain, Immune system, nervous system and genetics. Applying the approach to observe the children it can be said that, Luke does not have issues related to his genetics as his sister does not have such personality as Luke is reported with. Studying the immune system, it can be said that Luke is fit as aggression cannot be expressed without physical fitness (Raeff, 2019). On the other hand, the nervous system and genetics are also evaluated that do not match the symptoms of the child. It can be said that the respected approach of biological assessment results in no issues.
On the other hand, another approach that has been considered known as the Humanistic approach can be applied where the dimensions of the approach need to be evaluated which are Self-actualization, Esteem, Social aspects, Security, and physiological needs. However, the respected approach results best when it's applied to adults. Here the respected approach can be justified to find the reason for the child's personality change. Evaluating the first element it can be said that self-actualization may not be fulfilled in the child named Luke. It can be the toys or something else that the child may want to have, however by any chance his parent has not accomplished the desire of the child and that can cause violence and personality change in the child (Laato et al. 2020). On the other hand, the last dimension of Physiological needs can be justified as the boy has not received the care through which he can find comfort.
Finally, it can be said that Luke may have unfulfilled desires that caused him a drastic change in personality. The mother of the child can communicate with the child on the level of his needs such as the boy can have the desire to have a remote-control car or something else that he can play with.
AC 31.1: Discuss some of the ethical issues raised by psychological research
In psychological assessments, there are ethical aspects that need to be followed before justifying any research. As person with psychological issue can act immature activities the families can get isolated in society as already there are the taboos in society such as maintaining distance from the psychologically affected people (Elahi et al. 2021). There are multiple ethical aspects that need to be followed such as Informed Consent where the permissions before research need to be taken from the participants as there can be analysis of the personalized data of the individuals. Debriefing that indicates the aspects of the participants can have the details and insights of the research that has been performed. “Protection of the participants” is where the researcher should ensure both physical and mental protection so that any kind of tension regarding the research can affect the participants (Baier, 2019). Avoid Deception so that the participants do not face any issues in further life as a result of the research. Confidentiality is another important direction that needs to be followed and managed well by the researchers so that the personal data does not get affected or threatened from outside. Another important aspect that needs to be maintained is related to the aspect of “Withdrawal from An Investigation” where the participants can have the right to leave or eject themselves from the research that is continuing.
Evaluating the above-discussed ethical considerations that need to be followed by the researchers it can be said that the study that has been performed by the researchers on the school student based on the hypothetical aspect of “expectations of students’ performance had any effect on how well the students learned throughout the year.” the experiment that has been executed is based on a Field study on the basis of the aspect that has been mentioned in the above section. Evaluating the ethical considerations, it can be said that the study that has been performed in the field, can be judged as ethical. Generally, there can be places of question in case a single ethical aspect gets avoided during the research and data collection.
Ethical considerations are the most important element that needs to be followed to ensure the participant's safety in multiple aspects. The more ethical considerations can be followed the more the research or the survey can be successfully published or utilised for a certain purpose (Shimura et al. 2021). As far as the question of psychological research and data collection goes, all of the ethical aspects need to be followed in the best possible ways so that the individual personalities or the participants can be kept out of personal issues and threats (Ellemers et al. 2019). On the other hand, it can be said that a precise approach and data collection and research need to be followed where the safety of the participants will be the highest priority for the researchers.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that research in psychology can be carried out based on various methods. The methods used and chosen for the study have been found to generally increase the knowledge which is mainly concerning the behaviour of humans.
References
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