7.7 Overview
According to your textbook (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/overview-of-non-experimental-research/), there are two approaches to non-experimental research:
Observational
Records observations of behavior.
Can be used to describe a single variable.
Please note: research that aims to describe one variable is typically called descriptive research. Descriptive research can include observational techniques, case studies, and survey research. This page provides a brief description: Descriptive Research. (https://courses.lumenlearning.com/edpsy/chapter/descriptive-research/)
Correlational
Assesses the relationship between two variables.
Here are examples of correlational research topics:
Study habits and GPA
Meditation/exercise/sleep habits and mood
Quarantine and eating/drinking/exercise habits
Living situation (e.g., alone, with friends, family, kids) and stress
Social media use and stress
You will be conducting a correlational study which means you will measure two variables of interest. These variables of interest will be measured using self-report questionnaires (surveys). That is, you will ask individuals (called respondents in survey research) to report their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to your chosen topic/variables.
Before we dive into the project, pause for a moment and review the following relevant sections of your text. Here are the links:
VI. Non-Experimental Research: 28. Overview of Non-Experimental Research (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/overview-of-non-experimental-research/)
VI. Non-Experimental Research: 29. Correlational Research (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/correlational-research/)
VII. Survey Research: 34. Overview of Survey Research (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/overview-of-survey-research/)
Big Picture Overview of your Research Project
This project will require you to apply your knowledge of research methods as you design, conduct, analyze, and write up a study.
APA Project – List of Major Assignments
submit a research plan
create a draft of your survey (called a pilot)
share this pilot survey with your classmates
make improvements based on feedback from your classmates and your pilot results
administer your survey to 20 + family and friends via social media, email, and text
write your Methods section
analyze your results and write your Results section
share your research with your classmates in an oral (video) presentation
7.8 APA Project – Choosing Your Variables
Research often begins with a proposal to clarify the topic and identify the parameters of the research. You will begin your APA Research Project this week by developing such a plan.
Remember that you are conducting correlational research so you must measure two distinct variables.
Variable 1 – Trait from the Big 5 Personality Assessment
To get you started, one of your two variables will be one of the Big 5 Personality Traits. The Big 5 include:
openness to experience,
conscientiousness,
extroversion,
agreeableness, and
neuroticism.
Before you continue, it is important that you have a firm understanding of this variable so please review these resources on the Big 5 Personality Theory/Assessment:
Chapter 4 (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/understanding-psychological-measurement/) of your text summaries the measurement.
This Crash Course video reviews the Big 5 along with other trait theories. (https://youtu.be/sUrV6oZ3zsk)
Finally, here is an excellent college lecture on personality traits, psychometrics generally, and the Big 5 specifically. (https://youtu.be/pCceO_D4AlY)
Now – choose one of the 5 traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, or neuroticism) that you find intriguing or you believe is correlated with your second variable (see below) in a meaningful way.
Variable 2 – Psychological Assessment of Your Choice
Your second variable (and the corresponding psychological assessment) should be chosen from the website below. (If you have another measure you would like to use, you may do so if you receive approval from your instructor.)
Psychological Tests for Student Use website (https://www.yorku.ca/rokada/psyctest/)
Limit your choice to one of the tests that is measured on a scale (for example, 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree or 1 = Not at all true of me to 7 = Very true of me). Do not choose one of the few tests listed that relies on a different measurement technique (such as True/False).
Take care in choosing your two variables of interest. For your APA project assignment # 2, you will create a Google Form with the questionnaires as well as additional open and closed ended questions you write.
Important: Your research will not be reviewed by an IRB (from your Ethics chapter (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/from-moral-principles-to-ethics-codes/): A committee that is responsible for reviewing research protocols for potential ethical problems) so please do not ask about private, sensitive, personal matters such as mental illness, sexuality and the like. Beyond that, have fun choosing your variables of interest.
7.9 APA Project – Big 5 Inventory Items
In the table below you will find a list of the Big 5 inventory items for each of the 5 personality traits. Your job is to choose one of these and to include all of the items associated with that trait in your survey. For example, if you choose agreeableness, you will include all of the items of each of that trait.
The rating scale to be used is:
1 = Disagree strongly
2 = Disagree a little
3 = Neither agree nor disagree
4 = Agree a little
5 = Agree strongly
Items with * next to them are reverse scored. This means that 1 (disagree strongly) will be scored as 5, 2 as 4, 3 stays the same, 4 as 2, and 5 as 1. You will convert these scores AFTER collecting data. You don’t need to worry about this during the construction and administration stage. There will be more information about this in the next module.
When constructing your survey, you should have the following instructions at the top of the page (see example):
Instructions: Here are a number of characteristics that may or may not apply to you. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with that statement.
I see myself as someone who……
Personality Trait Items
EXTRAVERSION Is talkative
Is reserved*
Is full of energy
Generates a lot of enthusiasm
Tends to be quiet*
Has an assertive personality
Is sometimes shy, inhibited*
Is outgoing, sociable
AGREEABLENESS Tends to find fault with others*
Is helpful and unselfish with others
Starts quarrels with others*
Has a forgiving nature
Is generally trusting
Can be cold and aloof*
Is considerate and kind to almost everyone
Is sometimes rude to others*
Likes to cooperate with others
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS Does a thorough job
Can be somewhat careless*
Is a reliable worker
Tends to be disorganized*
Tends to be lazy*
Perseveres until the task is finished
Does things efficiently
Makes plans and follows through with them
Is easily distracted*
NEUROTICISM Is depressed, blue
Is relaxed, handles stress well*
Can be tense
Worries a lot
Is emotionally stable, not easily upset*
Can be moody
Remains calm in tense situations*
Gets nervous easily
OPENNESS Is original, comes up with new ideas
Is curious about many different things
Is ingenious, a deep thinker
Has an active imagination
Is inventive
Values artistic, aesthetic experiences
Prefers work that is routine*
Likes to reflect, play with ideas
Has few artistic interests*
Is sophisticated in art, music, or literature
7.10 APA Project – Research Plan (Overview and Instructions)
Overview
This is the first assignment for your APA Research project. Each assignment builds on previous work so take care in completing this week’s work! By the time you finish the course, you will have first-hand experience constructing and administering a survey, as well as practice in analyzing your results and drawing conclusions.
As you’ve learned, you will be conducting non-experimental correlational research using self-report surveys. Within given parameters, you will develop original research that is of interest to you. Continue reading the instructions below to learn more about how to develop your research plan.
Instructions for APA Project – Survey Research Plan (Assignment # 1)
Your assignment should include the following information using a bulleted format and the labels you see here. Do not include the questions – only the headings (Topic, Population, Research Question, etc.).
Topic:
Generally, what topic are you studying?
Population:
Who is your population? Note: your sample must draw from an adult (18 and over) population. Do not include minors in your research.
Inclusion criteria? Based on your topic and population, are there any specific characteristics that your participants need to have in order to be eligible for your study? These required characteristics are called inclusion criteria. Including inclusion criteria means that only people who meet those criteria can participate in your study. You will need to specify this during recruitment of participants.
Research Question: in question format, identify your topic and the variables of interest.
Conceptual definitions: Provide a conceptual definition for your two variables.
Operational definitions: How will you operationally define (i.e., measure) each of your variables of interest?
Be sure you understand what conceptual and operational definitions are. Review your text here. (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/understanding-psychological-measurement/)
Questions: In addition to the questionnaire items related to your two variables, what other questions related to your topic would you like to find answers to? For now, don’t worry about the format (closed or open-ended) or how you would pose the questions to respondents. Just brainstorm additional questions.
Hypothesis: What is your hypothesis?
Refer to your text’s (https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/chapter/developing-a-hypothesis/) discussion of hypotheses and module 2 on the elements of effective hypotheses.
Your assignment will pass through Turn It In, so be sure your work is your own. Keep it ‘in the green’.
7.11 APA Project – Survey Research Plan (Example) (see in files)
7.12 Quick Check Before You Submit
Have you
reviewed each and every page of the APA Research Project – Planning module?
answered each question required for your Survey Research Plan?
used a bulleted format and the headings outlined in the assignment instructions?
Have you
reviewed and edited your paper for clarity? (Tip: I read my work out loud and I catch a lot of my mistakes that way. Not all of them, though, I’m sure!)
checked your similarity rating to ensure you are “in the green” (i.e., you work is your own)?
If you have done all things things, it’s submission time.