Question

1.dentify and describe the three following general research/scientific

methods used for studying behavior and mental process:

a) descriptive methods (survey; naturalistic observation; case study;

cross-sectional study, longitudinal study)

b) correlational method (positive/negative/zero correlation; correlation

coefficient)

c) formal experimental method (independent/dependent variable;

control/experimental groups)

2. Identify and describe the five guidelines associated with human research

3. Identify and describe the three guidelines associated with animal research

Answer 1

Descriptive research is designed to represent the participants in the most accurate way possible. In other words, it involves describing people who take part in the study.

The types of descriptive research are:

• Observational- viewing and recording the participants
• Case study - an in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals
• Survey - a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic

Correlational research is a nonexperimental form of research where the researcher studies the correlation between them without trying to control extraneous variables. The correlation coefficient the relationship between two variables. Correlation can be positive and negative. This is usually in terms of strength and direction.

Positive correlation: A positive correlation means that if one variable increases in strength, so does the other.

Negative correlation: A negative correlation means that if one variable increases in strength, the other decreases in strength.

Zero correlation: This indicated that there is no correlation between the variables.

The following are the guidelines as stipulated by the APA for human research:

Research involving humans must meet the following standards:

1. Informed Consent-paricipants must know that they are involved in research and give their consent or permission

2. Deception-if the participants are deceived in any way about the nature of the study, the deception must not be so extreme as to invalidate the informed consent. AIso, researchers must be very careful about the trauma deception may cause.

3. Coercion-participants cannot be coerced in any way to give consent to be in the study.

4. Anonymity-the identities and actions of participants must not be revealed in any way by the researcher.

5. Risk-participants cannot be placed at significant mental or physical risk. This clause requires interpretation by the review board.

6. Debriefing Procedures-participants must be told of the purpose of the study and provided with ways to contact the researchers about the results.

The following are the guidelines as stipulated by the APA for animal research:

1. (purpose) They must have a clear scientific purpose. The research must answer a specific, important scientific question. Animals are chosen because they are best-suited to answer the question at hand.

2. (care) They must care for and house animals in a humane way.

3. (acquiring animals) They must acquire animal subjects legally. Animals must be purchased from accredited companies. If wild animals must be used, they need to be trapped in a humane way.

4. (suffering) They must design experimental procedures that employ the least amount of suffering feasible.

5. (supervision) A trained psychologist must supervise all research with animals