by The Open University
Available in 28 free installments
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Because the subject matter of psychology (ourselves and non-human animals) is complex and reactive, psychologists have to choose from amongst a wide range of methods.
Psychologists make use of methods that aim to maximise objectivity; they also use methods that focus on and explore subjectivities and meanings.
Depending on the topic they are researching, psychologists can choose to adopt an outsider viewpoint or an insider viewpoint.
During the research process, psychologists collect data and use it to arrive at evidence for their claims. Four different types of data are used by psychologists from different paradigms: behavioural data; personal accounts of inner experiences; material data such as biological and neuropsychological data; and symbolic data.
The research process starts by isolating a sufficiently specific and answerable question. In some studies it then involves choosing an appropriate method(s) which will provide data to test the claim or the hypothesis underlying the research.
Some research projects do not begin with a specific question or a specific hypothesis but are about understanding meanings.
The most commonly used psychological methods are experiments, questionnaires, interviews, psychological tests, observations, and meaning and language-based methods.
Psychological research is conducted within a paradigm ? a framework made up of assumptions about the subject matter and ways it should be studied, the methods and data that are considered to be legitimate.
Contemporary psychologists work in different paradigms: the doing of psychology within a given paradigm will be referred to in this book as a psychological perspective.
Ethical issues are a major factor in psychological investigations and practice.
Original Copyright © 2002 The Open University. Now made available within the Creative Commons framework under the CC Attribution – Non-commercial licence (see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/).
