PSY BEH 185S Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Observational Techniques, External Validity, Internal Validity
3 Jul 2018
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Chapter 2: Research Methods in I/O Psychology
I. Social science research methods (objectivity - unbiased approach to observation &
interpretations of behavior)
A. Goals of social science research methods
A.1. To describe, explain, and predict work behavior
A.2. Additional goal of attempting to control or alter behavior to obtain
desired outcomes
B. Steps in the research process
B.1. Formulation of problem or issue
B.1.a) Issue developed by one own interest in the specific area
B.1.b) Influenced by previous research
B.1.c) A client company presents issue to psychologist
B.2. Generation of hypothesis
B.2.a) Take elements that researchers intends to measure
(variables) and generate statements concerning the supposed
relationships between or among variables
B.2.b) By testing hypothesis thru collection of systematic
observations of behavior, a theory or model may be developed
B.3. Selecting the research design
B.3.a) Type of design depends on setting and degree of control
that one has over research setting
B.4. Collection of data
B.4.a) Testing hypothesis through data collection
B.4.b) Sampling - selecting representative group from a larger
population for study
(B.4.b.1) Random sampling - research participants chosen
from specified population in which there is equal probability
(B.4.b.2) Stratified sampling - divides population into
subgroups according to variables
B.5. Analysis of research data
B.5.a) Involves statistical analysis of quantitative data
B.6. Interpretation of research results
B.6.a) Draws conclusion about meaning of findings and their
relevance to actual work behavior as well as their possible
limitations
II. Major research designs
A. Experimental design - most commonly associated with research in a laboratory;
can also be a field experiment
A.1. Gives high degree of control over setting but less control in field
experiment
A.2. Researcher manipulates variables
A.3. Compare results to two groups - experimental/treatment group
and control group
A.4. Extraneous variables that affect dependent variables
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Document Summary
Social science research methods (objectivity - unbiased approach to observation & interpretations of behavior: goals of social science research methods. Additional goal of attempting to control or alter behavior to obtain desired outcomes: steps in the research process. Issue developed by one own interest in the specific area. Take elements that researchers intends to measure (variables) and generate statements concerning the supposed relationships between or among variables. By testing hypothesis thru collection of systematic observations of behavior, a theory or model may be developed. Type of design depends on setting and degree of control that one has over research setting. Sampling - selecting representative group from a larger population for study (b. 4. b. 1) random sampling - research participants chosen from specified population in which there is equal probability (b. 4. b. 2) stratified sampling - divides population into. Analysis of research data subgroups according to variables.
