2

Research Methods

in Psychology:

Gathering Data

17

PREVIEW QUIZ

True or False

1. TFForming a hypothesis is an important step in the scientific method.


2. TFNaturalistic observation is characterized by the use of a control group.


3. TFThe clinical method is a research technique associated primarily with
   the treatment of individuals with mental or behavioral disorders.


4. TFThe testing method explores human behavior by using psychological
   tests of attributes such as intelligence, personality, and creativity.


5. TFThe experimental method is flawed as a method because it provides no
   way for a researcher to obtain control over variables.

(Answers can be found on page 28.)

In the opening chapter you learned that scientific psychology has four

explicit goals—to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior. In order

to accomplish these goals it is essential to employ effective research methods.

In this chapter you will become familiar with the principal ways in which

psychologists gather data and put the scientific method to work.