Question

Generate research ideas for each of the categories below. Generate solid ideas for each, identify the variables involved, possible methods, the hypothesis, etc.

a. informal observations (generate research ideas that will use informal observations to collect the evidence to prove/disprove the hypothesis)

b. practical problems

c. topics discussed in recent issues of professional peer-reviewed journals (identify the journal or journals you browse, you can use "library services" or journal websites to see what recent topics have been discussed in journals). Some journals you may look at include: American Journal of Psychology, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, British Journal of Psychology, Evolution and Human Behavior, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Behavior Research and Therapy, Psychopharmacology, Behavioral Pharmacology, European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Journal of Experimental Psychology, Learning and Memory, Neuropharmacology

Answer 1

• A.Informal Observations
• Informal observations are often in an unstructured and unobtrusive environment, an informal observation that would be considered familiar would be test-taking strategies, more specifically Multiple-Choice Tests, students tend to have difficulties choosing one answer from a question that may have two or more answers. Many students share their frustrations of choosing between answers, ultimately switching some in the end.
• Hypothesis: As a substitute teacher, I would suppose that the children in Kindergarten-3rdgrade are likely to misbehave and not comply to rules and instruction as normal.
• Variables:The quantitative variable would be the class size and the categorical variable would be grades Kindergarten- 3rd and 4th-5th.
• Other categorical variables would include the sex: male or female.
• Possible methods: Observe each grade along with the class size as I get them and differ which actually do and do not behave and comply to the rules.
• B.Practical Problems
• I am 24 years old and plan to invest in my future. Meanwhile, I have a savings account but in addition to that I don’t know whether I should do a savings bond or mutual fund.
• Variables include: risks, investment amount, commitment and longevity.
• Methods: invest a small amount and take longer to accumulate or invest higher amount and accumulate faster.
• C.Recent Issues In the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, I have found an recent issue titled:
• “Increased cooperative behavior across remitted bipolar I disorder and major depression: Insights utilizing a behavioral economic trust game.”
• The article states that psychologist believe that mood disorders (bipolar disorder I and major depression) impact an individual’s social functioning. However, they believe that mood disorders may contribute to affective distress and produce cooperative behavior.
• Variables include-mood disorders,social functioning