Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis.

Introduction

• State what you are doing in the essay 
  
• This essay will attempt to offer a balanced review of how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis (BLA). 
• Define the biological level of analysis 
  
• The biological level of analysis (BLA) states that all cognitions, emotions and behaviours have a physiological basis. 
• Outline what is a research method? / What is the purpose of research methods in Psychology? 
  
• Researchers need to have a method for collecting and analysing data.
• There are many different/various methods researchers and psychologists use to conduct their studies.
• Research methods are ways that researchers use and manipulate to conduct their studies. 
• State the main research methods used in psychological research 
  
• There are 6 main research methods used in psychology, which consists of the following: 
• Experiments 
• Case Studies 
• Observational Studies 
• Interviews 
• Surveys/Questionnaires 
• Correlational Studies 
• Introduce the concept of triangulation 
  
• Sometimes in research, researchers incorporate the use of 2 or more research methods of investigation to explore the same aspect, as using 2 or more may be more suitable and effective in finding out the necessary aims of the researcher.
• It also increases credibility.
• There are 4 main types of triangulation: 
• Data 
• Researcher 
• Theoretical 
• Methodological
• State, make the examiner aware of the biases involved in psychological research
  
• In psychological research, certain biases are present, which may affect or influence the findings of the experiment, sometimes in a positive way, but mostly in a negative light/nature.
• There are two major types of biases, which are:
• Researcher bias - The researcher/s sees what they are looking for, in which the expectations of the researcher consciously or unconsciously affect the findings of the study. 
• Observer bias - The participant/s act differently or accordingly due to the consciousness of being observed by people (researchers), which may influence the nature of the study.
• State (introduce) the research methods used at the BLA 
  
• In biological psychology/in terms of a biological basis, symptoms and disorders arise from physiological processes, such as hormones, neurotransmitters and the brain, which cannot be directly observed.
• These theories are tested using research methods such as experiments and case studies. 
• At the BLA the main research methods used are experiments and case studies. 
• State what you are doing in the essay 
  
• These will be further analysed in the body of the essay, looking at studies and how and why these research methods are used 

Body 

EXPERIMENTS

• Define what an experiment is? 
• What is the purpose of an experiment? 
• Experiments are used to determine the cause and effect relationship between two variables (independent (IV) and dependent (DV) variables).
• Outline how experiments are used
  
• Researchers manipulate the independent variable (IV) and measure the dependent variable (DV)
• Attempt to control as many extraneous variables as possible to provide controlled conditions (laboratory experiments)
• Experiments are considered a quantitative research method, however qualitative data may be collected as well
• Types of experimental settings 
• There are three different types of experiments, which include a laboratory experiment, a natural (QUASI) experiment and a field experiment.

• Outline why experiments are used 
• It is considered/perceived to be the most scientific research method 
• Determines cause-effect relationship between two variables (IV & DV)
• Outline experiments used in the BLA
  
• Raine (1997)
• Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972) 
• Berthold (1849)

Study 1: Raine et al (1997)

• How does it reflect an experiment? 
  
• IV: Whether participants were controls or prisoners who pleaded not guilty for reasons of insanity (NGRI’s)
• DV: Brain activity
• Experimental Type: QUASI/natural because the IV was naturally occurring 
• Why was an experiment used? 
  
• Allowed a cause and effect relationship to be developed and recognised 
• Cause: Brain abnormality 
• Effect: Aggressive behaviour 
• Cause effect relationship would not be able to be found using other research methods (e.g. survey/questionnaire, observation) 

Study 2: Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972) 

• How does it reflect an experiment? 
  
• IV: Whether rats were placed in an enriched or deprived environment
• DV: Weight of the rats? brains, showing the amount of brain plasticity that occurred in the rats.
• Experimental Type: Laboratory experiment because the study was conducted in a laboratory setting and the IV was manipulated 
• Why was an experiment used 
  
• Allowed a cause and effect relationship to be developed and recognised 
• Cause: Environment (enriched or deprived) 
• Effect: Amount of brain plasticity 
• Cause effect relationship would not be able to be found using other research methods (e.g. survey/questionnaire, observation) 

Berthold (1849) 

• How does it reflect an experiment? 
  
• IV: Whether or not roosters' testes were replaced (returned)
• DV: The rooster’s Behaviour
• Experimental Type: Laboratory experiment because it was conducted in a laboratory setting and the IV was manipulated 
• Why was an experiment used 
  
• Allowed a cause and effect relationship to be developed and recognised 
• Cause: Amount of testosterone being secreted 
• Effect: masculine behaviour 
• Cause effect relationship would not be able to be found using other research methods (e.g. survey/questionnaire, observation) 

CASE STUDIES 

• Introduce the next research method (case studies) and relate it within the context
  
• Like experiments, another key research method used frequently in the BLA is a case study. 
• Outline how case studies are used
  
• In-depth study of an individual or small group
• Because of this, case studies obtain information that may not be identifiable by using other research methods
• Case studies are considered a qualitative research method, however quantitative data may be collected as well
• They involve the use of a combination of several research methods such as interviews and observations
• The conclusions are more valid than what may be gained from any of these research methods individually
• Outline why case studies are used 
  
• To obtain enriched data
• To study unusual psychological phenomena
• Stimulates new research into an unusual phenomena
• To study a particular variable that cannot be produced in a laboratory. For example, due to ethical or financial restrictions.
• To obtain other information they may not be able to get from other methods. 
• Outline why case studies are not used - limitations 
  
• Researchers may develop more personal relationships with participants 
• may result in subjective data or different behaviour of participants and researchers
• Results of case studies are affected by the researcher's interpretations
• may be subjective and influenced by the researcher's beliefs, values, and opinions
• May cost a lot of time, effort & money due to the amount of data and time of a case study 
• Cannot be replicated
• Lacks population validity - extent to which findings can be generalised to the whole population
• Small participant sample 
• Especially if study investigates a unique phenomenon 
• Outline case studies used in the BLA 
  
• Money - "David Reimer" (1974) 
• Harlow - "Phineas Gage" (1848) 
• Broca - "Tan" (1861) 

Study 1: Money - "David Reimer" (1974) 

• How does it reflect a case study? 
  
• In-depth study of twins Brian & Bruce, in particular, Bruce whose name was later on changed to Brenda. 
• Why was a case study used? 
  
• To study the unusual phenomena of a boy who was turned into a female
• To study a boy whose penis was burnt off, which would not be able to be produced ethically in a laboratory
• To study how (according to Money), biological sex or gender did not have to correspond to psychological sex (gender), and therefore children could be raised successfully in whatever sex was assigned to them.
• In depth information would not be able to be collected by using other research methods (e.g. experiment, survey etc.). 

Study 2: Harlow - Phineas Gage (1848) 

• How does it reflect a case study? 
  
• In-depth study of Phineas Gage 
• Why was a case study used? 
  
• To study the unusual phenomena of a man who experienced dramatic personality changes after brain damage
• To study a man who suffered from an iron rod through his head, which would not be able to be produced ethically in a laboratory
• In depth information would not be able to be collected by using other research methods (e.g. experiment, survey etc.).

Study 3: Broca - "Tan" (1861)

• How was a case study used? 
  
• In-depth study of an individual - "Tan" 
• Why was a case study used? 
  
• To study the unusual phenomena of a man who had impaired language such that he could only say "tan"
• To study a man who had impaired language, which would not be able to be produced ethically in a laboratory 
• By using a case study on Tan, over time, researchers found out more about the brain’s ability, in relation to localization of function.
• In depth information would not be able to be obtained using other research methods (e.g. experiment, survey etc.). 

Conclusion 

• Research methods are methods used for collecting and analysing data. 
  
• The type of research method used is dependent on the aim. 
  
• At the BLA, the two main research methods used are experiments and case studies. 
  
• Experiments
• To determine a cause-effect relationship between two variables (IV & DV)
• Whereby an IV and DV may be manipulated.
• Likewise, advantages and disadvantages of experiments depends on the type of experiment being conducted
• There are three types: laboratory, field and natural/quasi experiments.
• Case studies
• In depth study of an individual or a small group; thus being able to collect enriched and detailed data.
• Studies unusual psychological phenomena.
• Considered to be a qualitative research method, but quantitative data may also be collected. They involve the use of a combination of several research methods such as interviews and observations, which can aid in finding significant and relevant information in the study.