What are the different types of studies in psychology

Various research methods in psychology are used to test different theories and obtain results.

Psychological research follows either a quantitative or qualitative research method. The most appropriate research method is chosen depending on the research objective.

Research methods and statistics in psychology

Let us look at types of research methods in psychology and some examples. The types of research in psychology can be divided into two main categories: 1) quantitative and 2) qualitative.

Quantitative research

Quantitative research uses mathematical modelling and statistical estimation or inference to describe variables, predict findings, and explore potential correlations and causality between variables.

Imagine a researcher would like to investigate the effects of learning through StudySmarter. There are two groups: group A is given access to StudySmarter as their revision medium, and group B continues with traditional textbook revision. After a month, the academic performance of the participants is measured and the statistics are compared.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research uses non-numerical data such as text, audio, and video, which investigates and attempts to understand or interpret various phenomena such as societal or individual perceptions and actions.

Compared to quantitative research, the aim is to focus on the human condition and the language they use, rather than statistical differences. Interviews and focus groups are key tools in qualitative research.

Types of research methods in psychology

There are distinct approaches employed in psychological research under each of the two main categories. While this is not an extensive list, it highlights five of the most common strategies used in psychological research. These are the experimental methods, observational techniques, self-report techniques, correlational studies, and case studies.

Experimental methods

The experimental method is a procedure carried out to support or reject a hypothesis. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs when a particular variable is manipulated. Experimental studies are classified as quantitative research.

There are mainly four types of experiments in psychology:

1. Laboratory experiments
2. Field experiments
3. Natural experiments
4. Quasi-experiments

Each type of experiment has strengths and limitations.

Observational techniques

Observational techniques are used when a researcher observes how people behave and act in order to learn more about their ideas, actions, and beliefs. Observation studies are mostly categorised as qualitative in nature. However, they may also be quantitative or both (mixed-methods).

The two main observation techniques are:

• Participant observation.

• Non-participant observation.

Observations can also be overt and covert, naturalistic and controlled.

Self-report techniques

Self-report techniques refer to data collection approaches in which participants report information about themselves without interference from the experimenter. Ultimately, such methods require respondents to give responses to a set of pre-set questions. Thus, self-report techniques can provide researchers with both quantitative and qualitative data, depending on the set-up of questions.

Self-report techniques can include

Self-report techniques can include

• Questionnaires.

• Interviews.

• Psychometric testing

Content analysis is a technique for analysing qualitative data. The researcher will code their data to look for common patterns and themes. They can then analyse and draw conclusions from the patterns and themes they find. Content analysis converts non-numerical data into different categories to make it easy to analyse. This technique is applied to qualitative data such as interview transcripts, videotapes, and audio recordings. The coding standard can vary largely depending on the data used.

Correlational studies

Correlational Studies measure the strength and direction of a statistical relationship between two co-variables. Correlational studies are quantitative in nature, and the findings are displayed in scattergrams. There are two types of correlations that the researcher may observe. These are:

Positive correlations (where one variable increases as the other variable increases)

How do umbrella sales increase as the rainy weather increases?

Negative correlations (where one variable increases as the other decreases)

How do hot chocolate sales increase as the temperature decreases?

Case studies

Case studies belong to a qualitative research methodology. Case studies entail an in-depth investigation of persons, groups, communities, or events. They frequently employ a multi-methodological approach that includes participant interviews as well as unobtrusive observations. Case studies in psychology are conducted on targeted participants. A psychology case study typically gathers critical and influential biographical moments from a patient's past, and salient details in the individual's daily life that may drive the development of particular behaviours or thinking.

A famous psychological case study is H.M. From his case study we learned the effect of hippocampal damage on memory.

Research Methods in Psychology - Key takeaways

• Research methods in psychology can be divided into two main categories, namely qualitative and qualitative research.

• Quantitative research employs numerical data.

• Qualitative research employs non-numerical data, the focus is on language.

• Experimental methods, observational techniques, self-report techniques, correlational studies and case studies are the five of the most common methodologies employed in psychological research.

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