Research Methods I

Bachelor Psychology year 1

2017-2018

Lisette Schmidt
l.j.schmidt@vu.nl
 Program today

3.1 Evaluation of the quality of scientific

publications
3.2 Writing the introduction
3.3 Readability and structuring texts
Evaluation of the quality of publications
Make pairs and exchange preparatory assignment:
Search terms
Filters
Summaries of publications
Assess whether the search process was successful
and whether the selected publications are suitable
for the introduction.
Provide written feedback
Rate on the following points:
Evaluation of the quality of publications
Rate on the following points:

Did the search terms summarize the complete research topic?

Are filters used to refine search results?
Are the selected publications research papers?
Per publication: Is it clear why this publication was chosen?
Do the title and abstract fit the subject of the final assignments
research paper?
Is the article often cited by other authors?
Is made clear how the articles relate to each other?

After reviewing the feedback, take a moment to exchange search

tips. You may need to look for another (better) publication for
your introduction based on the feedback of your fellow student.
 Writing the introduction
A research article has an hourglass structure.
The introduction: the wide part of the hourglass
a. Explain why the introduction of a research paper is wide, and gradually narrows down
toward the method section.

General subject of the research becomes

clear General
Why it is important to investigate this topic
Hypothesis Specific
Participants, design, procedure Specific

Answer to the research question Specific

How this is related to articles
described in introduction
Future directions General
 Writing the introduction
Step by step: before you start writing
Step 1: Introduction of the problem
b. Why do you think it is important to investigate the subject?
(e.g. think of reasons why society and/or science might benefit from the results of
the research, or think of theories from earlier research.)

Step 2: Relevant scientific publications

c. Which publications do you want to incorporate in the introduction and how do
they relate to one another?
d. What is the connection between earlier research and the current study?
 Writing the introduction
Step 3: Research question
e. What is the research question of your study? Do you have any subquestions?
Gender?
Hostility?
Step 4: Hypothesis/hypotheses Arousal?

f. What would be your research hypothesis/hypotheses, based on earlier research?

You need to be able to substantiate your hypothesis. What are your expectations
based on?
EXAMPLE: Playing violent video games is not associated with higher levels of aggression.
You can only make this statement when you have found research articles that
substantiate it.

Main research question is the same for everyone. Hypotheses are probably
different!
Different articles with different results -> different hypotheses.
 Research hypothesis
The following are characteristics of a good research hypothesis:
1. It is a declarative sentence.
A declarative sentence states a fact or an argument and ends with a period.
2. It is brief and clearly stated.
3. It identifies at least two variables.
4. It states a predicted relationship between at least one variable and at least one
other variable.
5. It states the nature of the relationship.
EXAMPLE: The amount of physical punishment that parents experienced as children will
positively correlate with parents current use of physical punishment on their own
children. (= correlational hypothesis).
6. It states the direction of the relationship.
EXAMPLE: Participants in Group A will score significantly higher than participants in
Group B.
7. It implies that the predicted relationship can be tested empirically.
 Research hypothesis
1. Friends are more similar than strangers in their attitudes and preferred
activities.
2. Same-sex friends will show more similar attitudes to the environment,
abortion, and law and order than will same-sex strangers.

3. There will be a relationship between stress, depression, and gender.

4. There will be a positive relationship between stress, depression and
gender.
5. There will be a positive relationship between stress and depression; this
relationship will be stronger for men than for women.
 Writing the introduction
Now its your turn:

Step 3: Research question

e. What is the research question of your study? Do you have any subquestions?
Gender?
Hostility?
Arousal?
Step 4: Hypothesis/hypotheses
f. What would be your research hypothesis/hypotheses, based on earlier research?
 Readability and structuring text
Structure: use of paragraphs
See Appendix A (Basic characteristics of writing a report).

All paragraphs of a section should be cohesive.

Use of core sentences, explanatory sentences, transitions (between paragraphs).
Use of paragraph conclusions.

Please read the text in your manual, p33.

In the text, indicate which sentence(s) have the function of
a) core sentence,
b) explanation,
c) transition, or
d) conclusion.
 Readability and structuring text
Core
In 1993, Rauscher, Shaw en Ky studied the effect of listening to classical music sentence
on cognitive functioning. They reasoned that listening to classical music would
improve abstract reasoning. A group of university students performed a spatial Explanation
orienting task. In the first condition, participants listened to a classical music piece
by Mozart (Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448, music fragment 1). In the
second condition, participants listened to instructions to relax, and in the third
condition it was silent. Students who listened to Mozart, performed much better
on the spatial orienting task than the students from the other conditions. This
result was interpreted as an improvement of intelligence due to listening to
Mozarts music. It is referred to as the Mozart effect. Transition
Not long after its discovery , other researchers started to doubt the Mozart
effect. Studies were unable to replicate the results (Chabris, 1999; Steele, Bass, &
Crook, 1999). It is likely that the improved performance on the task is the result of
An improvement in mood after listening to music, which increased arousal
(Thompson, Schellenberg, & Husain, 2001). Conclusion
 Assignment
Write the introduction of your research report.
Maximum number of words for total report (intro + discussion): 2000
Excl. Title page, abstract and reference list
More words is not always better. Try to be concise.
Use a temporary title for the report.
Pay attention to the basic characteristics of reports (Manual App. A) and
APA rules.

Deadline: Submit via Canvas on the day of Tutorial 4 (before

midnight).
If submitted on time, you will receive individual feedback a
week later.
 Writing the introduction
STRUCTURE Hourglass!
General
FIRST PARAGRAPH: Introductory paragraph
Research topic and relevance
Define key terms
MIDDLE PARAGRAPHS: Overview/critical discussion literature
Per article: what was studied? Summarize results + conclusions.
Relevance of previous research for your study?
What is unknown yet? Identify knowledge gaps.
Explanation of how your research connects to previous research.
FINAL PARAGRAPH: Specification of your research
Aims of study: what are you exactly investigating? Specific
Ends with hypothesis
 Is this plagiarism?
Strutt et al. (2008):
In addition, greater labour mobility helps to facilitate trade and increases the
cross-border demand for domestic output.
Kourtit & Nijkamp (unpubl):
Additionally, greater labour mobility helps to facilitate trade, and increases
the cross-border demand for domestic output (see Strutt et al., 2008).

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No

www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/01/07/vier-voorbeelden-van-het-zelfplagiaat-
van-topeconoom-nijkamp/
Strutt, Poot & Dubbeldam (2008). International Trade Negotiations and the
Trans-Border Movement of People: A Review of the Literature.
 Is this plagiarism?
Strutt et al. (2008):
In addition, greater labour mobility helps to facilitate trade and increases the
cross-border demand for domestic output.
Kourtit & Nijkamp (unpubl):
Additionally, greater labour mobility helps to facilitate trade, and increases
the cross-border demand for domestic output (see Strutt et al., 2008).

Is this plagiarism?
Yes, using a reference does not mean that you can copy the text
No

www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/01/07/vier-voorbeelden-van-het-zelfplagiaat-
van-topeconoom-nijkamp/
Strutt, Poot & Dubbeldam (2008). International Trade Negotiations and the
Trans-Border Movement of People: A Review of the Literature.
 Is this plagiarism?
Strutt et al. (2008):
In addition, greater labour mobility helps to facilitate trade and increases the
cross-border demand for domestic output.
Meeter (unpubl):
Migrant workers also help the economy by facilitating trade and by buying
domestic output (Strutt et al., 2008).

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No

Strutt, Poot & Dubbeldam (2008). International Trade Negotiations and the
Trans-Border Movement of People: A Review of the Literature.
 Is this plagiarism?
Strutt et al. (2008):
In addition, greater labour mobility helps to facilitate trade and increases the
cross-border demand for domestic output.
Meeter (unpubl):
Migrant workers also help the economy by facilitating trade and by buying
domestic output (Strutt et al., 2008).

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No, this is a good paraphrase of the idea of someone else, with correct
reference

Strutt, Poot & Dubbeldam (2008). International Trade Negotiations and the
Trans-Border Movement of People: A Review of the Literature.
 Debriefing

Learning objectives Tutorial 3

I can assess whether a scientific article is useful for supporting research based on references from other
authors to the published publication.
I can clearly define the research topic of the research paper in my introduction.
I can support the execution of specific research (e.g., it adds something to science and/ or society).
In the introduction I can give a clear picture of previously conducted research.
I can draw a hypothesis based on cited literature.
I know how to build a paragraph in my research paper.
I can use link words to relate arguments.
I know how to conclude a paragraph with a paragraph conclusion.
I understand what the term hourglass model means in the context of a research paper.

Use the four-point scale to indicate to what extent you think you master these goals.
 Preparation Tutorial 4
Study Chapter 4 of Graziano and Raulin (2014)
Look through syllabus The role of statistics in behavioral
research, Chapter 1 and 2, by Sander Los.
Study the document containing information about the
Method section and Results section of the research paper
(see Canvas -> Methodologie 1 -> Modules).
Have a good weekend!