dentify and describe the basic components of descriptive and experimental research used in psychology
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Descriptive does just that, it describes what happens. In contrast, experimental manipulates some aspect(s) of the situation.
Does that help a little?
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this is my simple 4th grade answer "you use words and tricks to get info but not like an interrogation.
Descriptive and experimental research are two fundamental methods used in psychology to study phenomena and gather evidence. Here, I will explain the basic components of both types of research.
1. Descriptive Research:
Descriptive research aims to observe, measure, and describe a specific behavior or phenomenon without manipulating any variables. It focuses on detailing and understanding a particular aspect of human behavior or the characteristics of a population. The basic components of descriptive research include:
a) Observation: Researchers directly observe and carefully record behavior in its natural setting. They employ various observation techniques, such as naturalistic observation (observing behavior without interference), structured observation (using predetermined codes), or participant observation (actively engaging with the participants).
b) Surveys and Questionnaires: Researchers collect data by designing questionnaires or surveys. These methods involve asking participants a series of questions to gather information about their behaviors, attitudes, opinions, or beliefs.
c) Case Studies: Researchers conduct an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or event to gain a deep understanding of a particular phenomenon. Case studies often involve data collection through interviews, observations, and analysis of existing records.
2. Experimental Research:
Experimental research involves manipulating variables to examine cause-and-effect relationships between them. It seeks to determine if changes in one variable produce predictable changes in another variable. The basic components of experimental research include:
a) Independent Variable (IV): The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher. It is the factor or condition that is hypothesized to cause changes in the dependent variable. For example, in studying the effects of caffeine on attention, the presence or absence of caffeine would be the independent variable.
b) Dependent Variable (DV): The dependent variable is the variable that is observed and measured to assess changes caused by the independent variable. In the caffeine example, the measure of attention (such as reaction time or accuracy) would be the dependent variable.
c) Control Group and Experimental Group: To establish causality, experimental research involves a control group (receives no treatment or a placebo) and an experimental group (receives the manipulated independent variable). By comparing the outcomes between the groups, researchers can determine if the independent variable had an effect.
d) Randomization: In experimental research, participants are randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. Random assignment helps ensure that any differences in the groups are due to chance and not preexisting characteristics.
e) Data Collection and Analysis: Researchers use various methods, such as observation, surveys, tests, or physiological measurements, to collect data on the dependent variable. Statistical analysis is then employed to determine if any significant differences or relationships exist between the groups.
Overall, while descriptive research focuses on describing and understanding behaviors or populations, experimental research seeks to determine cause-and-effect relationships through manipulation and control of variables.