Research Methods in Psychology Study Guide
A core undergraduate research methods course for psychology majors: the scientific method, ethics in research, measurement and reliability, experimental design, correlational research, quasi-experimental designs, survey methods, observational research, descriptive and inferential statistics, APA-style writing, and critical evaluation of published research.
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12 Topics Covered
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
Covers empiricism, falsifiability, parsimony, hypothesis vs. theory, and operationalization—essential for understanding all research designs.
Ethics in Psychological Research
APA ethics code, informed consent, deception, IRB process, and animal research ethics—frequently tested through scenario analysis.
Measurement: Reliability and Validity
Test-retest, internal consistency, construct/content/criterion validity, and scales of measurement—critical for evaluating study quality.
Experimental Design Fundamentals
Independent/dependent variables, control groups, random assignment, between/within-subjects designs—the foundation for design identification questions.
Advanced Experimental Design and Validity Threats
Factorial designs, interactions, confounds, demand characteristics, double-blind procedures, and internal validity threats—heavily exam-tested.
Correlational Research Methods
Pearson r, scatterplots, third-variable and directionality problems, correlation vs. causation—essential for statistical selection questions.
Quasi-Experimental and Non-Experimental Designs
Nonequivalent control groups, interrupted time series, and validity limitations when randomization is impossible—common exam scenarios.
Survey Methods and Sampling
Question types, wording biases, probability vs. nonprobability sampling, response rates—tested through survey critique problems.
Observational and Qualitative Methods
Naturalistic observation, case studies, content analysis, reactivity, and grounded theory—important for method identification questions.
Descriptive Statistics
Central tendency, variability, z-scores, normal distributions, and graphical displays—foundational for interpreting research results.
Inferential Statistics and Hypothesis Testing
T-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, effect sizes, Type I/II errors, and p-values—core exam content for statistical selection.
APA Style and Critical Evaluation of Research
APA formatting, reporting statistics, evaluating validity, replication crisis, and open science—tested through writing and critique.
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