Scientific Methodology: Research Types, Methods, and Ethical Considerations Assessment Free Answer

Introduction

In this assignment, the scientific methodology and its definition has been taken up that will help in the understanding of the importance of the method as well as the type of research design and methods that are implied while undertaking any research. The two research methodology that has been taken up is one experimental and non-experimental research as well as the benefits and limitations of the research have been taken up. The laboratory research and interview methods have been chosen and elaborated. The behavioral and cognitive approaches have been taken up in the case of Luke. The ethical considerations of the Pygmalion effect on the students have also been identified.

Section one

The scientific methodology can be defined as the process that establishes facts in an objective manner and uses the process of experimentation and testing. The main aspect of scientific methodology deals with observation. This helps in the formation of a hypothesis and helps in the prediction as well as conduction of an experiment that helps in the analysis of the result. The scientific methodology has certain benefits. As the method uses experiments that can be repeated by anyone and anywhere, it gives the experiment a sense and helps in the correct collection of data (Voit, 2019). When the results are similar in each experiment, the facts for using certain theory for a case becomes stronger. The most common disadvantage of the scientific method is that human error is evident. This means that mistakes are likely to occur while recording the observations. Along with that the falsification of the results in the form of scientific fraud and bias can impact the accuracy of the data collected and can cause an error in the interpretation of the data. Application of the scientific methodology to the field of psychology helps in the standardization of the approach that helps in the understanding of the different types of information related to psychological aspects (Wright and Lavery, 2022). Most importantly, the main benefit of the scientific method that helps in the validity of psychological research is that people gain a sense of trust as they feel that the scientific methods are reliable. Not only that, but it also means that researchers are also capable of applying and using this method for drug treatment as well as psychosurgery that will aid in the treatment of mental illness. The scientific methodology uses the repeated measures design that takes up multiple measures from the variables that are the same over a shorter period of time. The research design includes gathering background information as well as helping in the creation of a hypothesis.

Section two

The commonly used research methods by psychologists are experimental and another is non-experimental. The experimental research method is which research method conducted with the scientific approach by using the variables of two sets. Among them the first set work as the constant and that measures the distinction of the second set of variables (Young et al., 2018). This research has strong control over the variables and the weakness is the research is based on low realism (Griffin and Michele Kacmar, 2022). The type of study that excludes an independent variable is known as non-experimental research. The research's strength is that it occasionally calls for quick data collection, while its downside is that predictor factors cannot be changed.

The research which is done in the laboratory is known as laboratory research. In laboratory research, scientific study is done in the laboratory. The purpose of laboratory research is to examine the theoretical parts and the assumptions by focusing on the predictive elements. Laboratory research helps in psychology by recording and monitoring the emotional, mental, and behavioral states. There are several advantages and disadvantages of laboratory research (Jamshed, 2014). The laboratory research has the strongest control over the variables. This research is also easy to duplicate. This also makes enables the use of equipment those are complex. This research method is also not time-consuming and also very cheaper than any other method of research (Turner, 2020). This research's low level of realism and difficulty in generalizing to different contexts are also disadvantages.

The qualitative research technique of an interview depends on the collection of data through the use of questions. Two or more people participate in interviews, one of whom serves as the interviewer and the other as the interviewee (Stuart et al., 2018). At the time of the interview, the interviewee is asked questions, and the interviewee responds to the questions' replies. Different sorts of interviews can frequently be distinguished based on how structured they are (Psychology, 2021). There are several advantages and disadvantages also present in the interview. The advantages of the interview are it may increase the success in the selection of the right person for the interview. The interview allows the both interviewee and the interviewer that are they fit for each other or not for the interview. At the time of the interview speaking with the candidates also increases the knowledge of different matters the interviewer. There are also some disadvantages of the interview; the interview method is very judgmental. This method judges individuals too quickly (Ryan et al., 2018). This also creates stereotypical behaviors. Sometimes at the end of the interview, both interviewer and the interviewee experience uncertain outcomes.

Section three

Behavioral learning theory is defined as how people behave and learn. This concept is mainly used by leaders and they help in facilitating positive behavior in the organization or workplace. With the help of this theory, it becomes much easy to understand how people learn and this psychological approach also helps in creating more interaction with clients and colleagues. In this exact scenario, Luke gets angry quite often and this type of psychological approach might help Luke to become less aggressive. This psychological approach might help Luke to interact freely with the environment. Moreover, human behavior is very much linked with the external environment and this approach will help to understand the behavioral changes that happen in Luke due to the sudden changes in the environment (Badyal and Singh, 2017). In this approach, positive reinforcement is utilized and this help in identifying the key changes in the behavior. While another approach that might be used on Luke is a cognitive learning theory which mainly utilizes metacognition and this involves the process to understand how the thinking processes help in the way of influence learning. Luke is experiencing a change in behavior due to the external environment and that is why he is becoming more and more aggressive. The cognitive learning theory also might benefit Luke as this will focus on their mental activities of Luke. This will also help in providing deep insight into how the human minds work and this will help the main problem faced by Luke. The key elements that are considered in the entire learning approach are interpreting, organizing, attention, and forming generalizations.

The main elements of this cognitive learning are comprehension, application, and memory. While the application help in applying new skills in life situations. This works by enhancing the person to solve problems. The element of memory discourages the cramming of information. These approaches help the individual to understand the subject much better. The main benefits of this approach are that it helps in enhancing learning and thereby boosts confidence. It also helps the individual in the process of solving difficult problems. It will also help Luke to learn new things faster. The main benefit of this cognitive learning is that it helps in the developmental process of an individual. While the main benefit of behavioral theory is that it helps the individual in interacting with new people (Kwon and Silva, 2019). This theory will also involve better support to the person and also allows the individual to control anger and thereby help in determining the behavior of the individual. While the main disadvantage of this behavioral learning is that this approach will not fit every individual. It will not be able to identify the effect on the memory and beliefs of that individual. The main disadvantage of this cognitive theory is that it sometimes ignores the main causes of these changes in behaviors. The main causes of this disorder are sometimes neglected. This causes more and more problems in treating the individual.

Section four

The Pygmalion effect that was used by the researchers was not ethical. This is because the primary ethics issue that is seen in this research method is the acceptability regarding the deceiving of the students as well as the teachers about the potential of the students. The main problem with the research method is that the expectations of other people impact both their own as well as others' expectations (Cobos-Sanchiz et al., 2022). The method is unethical because if someone believes that they are likely to succeed, they will receive a different form of treatment as compared to the others while achieving their goals. In turn, it can be seen that when someone expects others to succeed they will use their best to meet the expectations. Not only that, the Pygmalion effect is seen as a kind of an illusion as well as, bad science that is accompanied by the precursor that is small-scaled and replicates crisis (Good et al., 2018). The ethical guidelines for psychological research include the frank and open discussion of the aspects regarding intellectual property and the participants should be made aware of the multiple roles that are required while undertaking this research. Informed consent is also required for the research and respect for privacy and confidentiality should be maintained by the researchers. The participants should not be exposed to any kind of harm and their confidential information should not be disclosed without any consent (Reimann, 2018). Deception should not be used by the researchers to make the participants continue in the research and the participants should be given the right to withdraw at any time that they want. Therefore, it can be said that the study method is not ethical, as the random selection of the students did not provide the desired results.

The other research includes the Golem Theory effect where the ethical guidelines for psychological research. In this effect, the process the teachers anticipate lower performance on the part of the students which results in the creation of the behavior that is predicted by the teachers. The ethical consideration in this type of research is that communication among the people regarding ethics can result in the performance of less ethical tasks (Leung and Sy, 2018). This research can lead to negative experiences on the part of the students and not allow them to perform better. Moreover, the efforts and inputs of the teachers are directed towards the students who have higher potential rather than the weaker students. The responses of the teachers towards the students who are more likely to exceed are more as compared to the students who have less potential. This creates an imbalance as the teachers do not provide enough feedback to the students who are comparatively weaker. The difference in the attitude of the teachers towards the weaker students has also been seen in a Belgian study International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (Scholtz et al., 2020). The research shows that the lowered expectations from the weaker students regarding their academic talents show the presence of stereotypes that impact bilingual students. Therefore, it can be seen that the ethical considerations of psychological research should be followed about not deceiving the students and providing efforts to improve their performance.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that in this assignment the scientific methodology has been taken. This methodology is based on observation and measurement which is experimental. After that, both the experimental and the non experimental methods have been chosen for this assignment. Both research methods have several advantages and disadvantages. The laboratory research method has also been chosen among the experimental research method. This research method is done in the laboratory. Among the non-experimental research, the interview has been chosen for this assignment. That is conducted by two or more persons, and the two roles pay in this research method one is the interviewer and the interviewee. Among the psychological approaches the cognitive and behavioral approaches have been chosen.

References

Badyal, D.K. and Singh, T. (2017) “Learning theories: The basics to learn in medical education,” International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research, 7(5), pp. 1–21. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_385_17.

Cobos-Sanchiz, D. et al. (2022) “Positive adult education, learned helplessness and the Pygmalion effect,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2), pp. 778–779. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020778.

Good, T.L., Sterzinger, N. and Lavigne, A. (2018) “Expectation effects: Pygmalion and the initial 20 years of research,” Educational Research and Evaluation, 24(3-5), pp. 99–123. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13803611.2018.1548817.

Griffin, R. and Michele Kacmar, K. (2022) “Laboratory Research in Management: Misconceptions and missed opportunities,” Journal of Organizational Behavior, 12(4), pp. 301–311. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030120405.

Jamshed, S. (2014) “Qualitative research method-interviewing and observation,” Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy, 5(4), p. 87. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-0105.141942.

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Leung, A. and Sy, T. (2018) “I am as incompetent as the prototypical group member: An investigation of naturally occurring golem effects in work groups,” Frontiers in Psychology, 9(2), pp. 12–13. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01581.

Psychology (2021) NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms, National Cancer Institute. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/laboratory-study (Accessed: January 10, 2023).

Reimann, A. (2018) “Behaviorist learning theory,” The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching, 12(2), pp. 1–6. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0155.

Ryan, F., Coughlan, M. and Cronin, P. (2018) “Interviewing in qualitative research: The one-to-one interview,” International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 16(6), pp. 309–314. Available at: https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2009.16.6.42433.

Scholtz, S.E., de Klerk, W. and de Beer, L.T. (2020) “The use of research methods in psychological research: A Systematised Review,” Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 5(2), pp. 12–20. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2020.00001.

Stuart, E.A. et al. (2018) “Using non-experimental data to estimate treatment effects,” Psychiatric Annals, 39(7), pp. 719–728. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20090625-07.

Turner, D.P. (2020) “Experimental study designs,” Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 60(8), pp. 1501–1507. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/head.13928.

Voit, E.O. (2019) “Perspective: Dimensions of the scientific method,” PLOS Computational Biology, 15(9), pp. 25–29. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007279.

Wright, G. and Lavery, T. (2022) What is the scientific method and how does it work?, WhatIs.com. TechTarget. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/scientific-method (Accessed: January 10, 2023).

Young, J.C. et al. (2018) “A methodological guide to using and reporting on interviews in Conservation Science Research,” Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), pp. 10–19. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210x.12828.

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