Describe types of psychological research methods
The measurements and statistics used in quantitative research attempt to
quantify human behavior for the purposes of comparison. It can be said that
the reason we try to quantify human behavior is to better understand, and by
understanding the better we can help.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your
proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
• Competency 1: Describe types of psychological research methods.
o Describe why selected data analysis procedure(s) make sense with a
particular research methodology.
Competency 2: Evaluate research methods and psychological research findings.
o Select appropriate measures for each variable of a research study.
o Describe how identified methods will be used in a research study.
o Describe the data analysis process for a proposed research study.
Competency 4: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
o Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and
consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
o Apply proper APA formatting and style.
Context
Quantitative research requires that we measure participants in some form. It
is an attempt to quantify human behavior for the purposes of comparison,
either among groups or before and after an intervention of some kind.
Measuring behaviors, thoughts, and emotions is difficult. Accuracy of
measurement requires a solid definition of what is being measured.
Questions to Consider
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions
below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested
friend, or a member of the business community.
What protections should you incorporate into your proposed research to ensure
the ethical treatment of human participants?
What will be your target population, sampling procedure, and sample
characteristics?
Resources
Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the
assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to
the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu
of your courseroom.
Resources
Click the links provided to view the following resources:
Assessment 3 Context.
Course Library Guide
A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use
in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the Research
Methods in Psychology Library Guide to help direct your research.
Bookstore Resources
The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this
course and are not required.
Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
o Chapter 5, “Measurement, Reliability, and Validity.”
o Chapter 6, “Methods of Measuring Behavior.”
o Chapter 7, “Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics.”
o Chapter 8, “Introducing Inferential Statistics.”
Assessment Instructions
Note: You must complete and receive feedback on this assessment before moving
on to submit Assessment 4.
Access the Mental Measurements Yearbook in a research database, and review
types of measures and assessments that are available and relevant to your
research question.
Determine the types of measures and assessments that fit into your research
proposal and write about them in a short paper. Your assessment should include
the following:
0. A measure selected for each variable under investigation. Please
provide the name of the measure as well as the reliability and validity
information. If you are writing a proposal for qualitative work, then discuss
the constructs that will be assessed with the proposed measure
1. A discussion of how the measure will be used-for example, as an
assessment done once during the study.
2. A discussion of the statistics and data analysis that you will conduct
after collecting your data and the rationale for your selection. Be specific
about the kind of data analysis you plan to use. Be sure to note why these
data analysis procedures make sense with the research methodology you have
proposed (for example, you would not use ANOVA with a qualitative grounded
theory design).
Additional Requirements
• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors
that detract from the overall message.
