1. experimental methods
1.1. Most scientific methods
1.2. Method that assigned status of science to psychology
1.3. Steps
1.3.1. Identifying problem
1.3.2. Developing hypotheses
1.3.3. Selecting an experimental design and standing experimental procedure
1.3.4. Conducting experiment and collecting data
1.3.5. Analysing data
1.4. Features
1.4.1. Most objective method for collecting data
1.4.2. Accurate observations in controlled conditions
1.4.3. Helps finding cause and effect relationship between two or more variables
1.4.4. Findings are verifiable
2. Survey methods
2.1. Survey- a research method used for collecting data from a pre defined group of respondents (sample) to gain information and insights on various topics of interest like political options, consumer preferences,etc.
2.2. Makes use of questionnaire, checklist, rating scales, interviews, etc. to collect information
2.3. Used by social psychologist, industrial psychologist, educational psychologist,
2.4. Economic and efficient method to collect data
2.5. Can be undertaken using email, telephone calls or direct interactions
3. Observations methods
3.1. Useful in areas where experiments cannot be conducted
3.2. Behaviour is observed in a natural or laboratory setting
3.3. Natural setting- natural observations. Lab setting- controlled observation
3.4. Used by child psychologist, clinical psychologist, social psychological psychologist
3.5. Treated as scientific method
3.6. Beneficial when used with specific purpose of research and placed in a systematic way
4. Case study methods
4.1. Qualitative research methods
4.2. Mostly used by clinical psychologist
4.3. Sigmund Freud and Jean Piaget
4.4. In depth look at individual, group or event
4.5. Scientific method as it provides rich deceptive information often suggesting hypotheses for further studies
4.6. Researchers collects info about a particular individual (case) from multiple sources like parents, family, peers, teachers, colleagues to assess the individuals current level psychological functioning
5. Co relation studies
5.1. Make use of Co relation as a statistical tool to understand the relationship between variables
5.2. The extent of Co relation between two variables is measured by Co relation coefficient
5.3. A corealation coefficient is always a number between-1.00 to +1.00. The sign indicates the direction of relationship between the variables
5.4. Types of Co relation
5.4.1. Positive- when both variables increase or decrease at the same time. Value of correlation coefficient is between 0 and 1. ( direct relationship)
5.4.2. Negative- when an increase in one variable is associated with a decrease in the other and vice Vera. The value of correlation coefficient is between 0 and-1.
5.4.3. Zero- when any change in one variable brings no significant change in the other variable. Value of correlation coefficient is 0