PSY311H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Methylphenidate, Naturalistic Observation, Three Steps
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Methods of study: (meta) analysis of studies of distinct age groups: library/statistical type of study. Exploration: to determine whether or not a phenomenon exists: ex. Studying families of the same sex (whether or not attachment happens, etc. ) Keep in mind when writing paper (ex. Explanation: examining cause and effect relationships: random assignments into two different groups: experiment and control, age comparison always correlational. Descriptive methods are always popular as a result of: Based upon observation (ex. studying one year old). Urgent and applied need for descriptive information about age changes. Influence of ethology (description, classification and analysis of animal behaviour). Electronic recording which permits observation and analysis of complex behaviour: ex. Interaction between mom/dad and child: sophisticated/objective research. The study of behaviour in its natural setting (field study): first step in understanding behaviour, more natural and realistic than experiment or questionnaire. Not participating in experiment, not being put in a condition that would make you react in an expected way.
