Agenda

1
Agenda

• Field and Laboratory Research
• Foundations of Empirical Inquiry
• Survey Work

2
Distinguishing Field and Laboratory Research

• Field studies occur in the natural environment
• Laboratory studies control for many interfering
  elements in theenvironment
• Distinction is fluid

3
Advantages and Limitations of Field and
Laboratory Research
Field Laboratory

• Power of manipulation -
• Realism
  -
• Control
  usually -
• Measurement maybe
  
• Randomization -
• Observer Bias -
  

4
Agenda

• Field and Laboratory Research
• Foundations of Empirical Inquiry
• Survey Work

5
Foundation of Empirical Inquiry, Part 1 The
Attitude

• A Willingness to Be Guided by Data, Not Prejudice

6
Foundation of Empirical Inquiry, Part 2
Purposes

• Knowledge Based onEmpirical Facts
• 
  Empirical
  Research
• 
  Describes Reality
• 
  to Help Form
• 
  Accurate Pictures
• Empirical Research
  is a
• Tool to Discover Lawlike
  Behaviors

7
Agenda

• Field and Laboratory Research
• Foundations of Empirical Inquiry
• Survey Work

8
Survey Response Rates

• Adequate Good
  Very Good
• Interviews 70 80
  90
• Mailed surveys 50 60
  70

9
Forms of Questions

• When are questions preferred to statements?
• Question types
• Forms not recommended

10
Causes of Response Problems Among Respondents

• Awareness of Subjects
• Ability to Recall
• Information

11
Ways to Ensure Valid Answers

• Check questions
• Polarity rotation
• Measures of test taking behavior
• Social Desirability Scales
• MMPI Lie Scale
• Jacksons Infrequency Index