What factors may distort the outcome of psychological investigations? What implications does this have for whether psychology is a science? Psychological research is used to discover what, how and why something has happened. This aids the formation of theories and enables psychologists to predict what may happen in the future. This essay will look at four different methods of research available; The experimental method, questionnaires, interviews and direct observation and evaluate each with reference to factors such as reliability and validity. It will conclude by looking at the debate of whether psychology can be seen as a scientific discipline based on the preceding argument.
Research in psychology has two main goals. The first is to provide a description of human behaviour and its underlying psychological processes and the second is to provide an explanation for that behaviour. There are many methods of research used to generate sufficient evidence in order to do this. It is important that the researcher selects a suitable method for their study. For example, studying the claim that men are better drivers than women would be best done through observations. Each method of research will provide the researcher with one of two types of data; either qualitative or quantitative. (Kline, 2000)
The experimental method in psychology supports the idea that psychology should be classed as a science. The use of experiments in psychological research began in the nineteenth century and developed with the rise in statistics and behaviourism in the early twentieth century. They are used as a means of answering questions and testing hypotheses and predictions. Scientific experiments provide quantitative data. They produce results that allow the researcher to generalise and form statistical graphs that are precise and accurate. (Kopala & Suzuki, 1999)
An experiment is a test of cause and effect relationships by collecting evidence to demonstrate the effect of one variable on another. A variable is any characteristic that can vary across people or situations that can be of different levels or types. There are two types of variable; independent and dependent. The independent variable is that which the researcher manipulates or controls. It is the effect of this variable that the researcher is usually most interested in. The experimental hypothesis suggests that the independent variable will cause a change in the dependent variable. The dependent variable is a measurement of behaviour made by the researcher. (Breakwell, Hammond, Fife-Schaw, 2000)
Observations are a key aspect of any scientific experiment and have played a major part in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. The main strength of direct observation is that there is minimal delay in recording the data or response in question. Observations are more in-depth than questionnaires or interviews because they don’t require a sample to respond to a proposed question through conversation or word representation.
Observations can be conducted in a controlled environment where conditions can be kept constant. In this way the effect of each variable can be recorded and examined. One of the main problems with this type of observation is that it does not observe the subject in their natural surroundings. This may cause the participant to act differently and therefore cannot produce accurate data. Covert observation aims to study subjects in their natural environment whilst exerting minimal control. This is likely to produce more habitual results and reduce the possibility of the ‘hawthorne effect’ because the subject is unaware they are being watched. However, the method may be seen as unethical because the researcher doesn’t have permission to observe. There may also be limited interpretation as the researcher is unable to become involved or seek clarification.
Research interviews require a very systematic approach in order to obtain maximum results, maintain objectivity and achieve valid and reliable results. There are two types of interview. Structured interviews involve a strict question and answer format asked in a fixed order by the researcher. This type of interview provides information that is easily quantified. It ensures comparability of responses across the sample and that the necessary topics are covered. However, this method may prevent the participant from opening up as they are restricted by fixed questions and important information may be missed. (Breakwell, Hammond, Fife-Schaw, 2000)
Unstructured interviews consist of a number of topics that the researcher wishes to cover but the precise questions and order are not fixed. This encourages a conversational style to develop between researcher and respondent. Although comparability is greatly sacrificed a much deeper picture is gained of each individual. An interview approach relies upon participants to be willing to give accurate and complete answers to the questions posed. (Breakwell, Hammond, Fife-Schaw, 2000)
Unfortunately, there is always the possibility that the information gained via this method is false. A participant may not trust the researcher and therefore be reluctant to disclose personal information or they may feel too embarrassed to tell the truth. There is common belief that the validity of data collected in interviews is likely to improve if the researcher talks to the participant on several occasions. This can increase the trust between participant and interviewee and encourage the participant to be more open. (Breakwell, Hammond, Fife-Schaw, 2000)