First, Do No Harm

Late Summer Check-In

human — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:42:36 +0000

Hullo!

Reflect I did. For almost a good three months, I did not part-take in writing on this blog. Nowl, I am back and I think… you know, it would actually be kind of nice to write and document my life and reflect once again.

So why did I stop writing for three months? First, I think my psyche was somewhat unstable during those chilly early months of summer. I went through a lot, including falling head over heels over a girl for a week, enrolling in a summer course, and almost causing a fiasco with the school administration, which took a lot of my time and energy away from things that matter the most to me, such as good grades. My ability to cope was diminished and these external influences were taxing my resources.

I think my blog should be less about what I did today, but more about reflecting freely and openly. It’s also important to note how I feel while joting down things that happened to cause my feeling a particular way.

No Words Right Now

human — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:13:06 +0000

Oh shit. I got nicked big time. 83% for research methods.

Obviously I slacked.

I think I will reflect further soon.

Not much to say right now. This needs to sink in.

No related posts.

Chat with RW

human — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:32:06 +0000

So yesterday I had a nice talk with RW. A few points to highlight:

I need to open up myself more and allow others to paint with their paint brushes on my canvas.

Doing so will allow myself, as an individual, to be perceived three-dimensionally.

I woke up at 7 this morning to watch the England – Slovakia game. It’s 9:30 and feeling slightly sleepy. Go

No related posts.

Early Morning, Early Match

human — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:27:35 +0000

Wow I am up early today. It’s 4:26 AM and I’m up and about watching the Korean Korea – Portugal match. Go! Related posts:9:30 AM the Following Morning North Korea Plays Brazil! Related posts:

June 20th!

human — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:18:07 +0000

Well it’s Saturday, June the 20th.

I’ve completed the exam today!! Woohoo! I prompted celebrated this occasion by watching BBC Make a New Face, Life, Human Body, and Anatomy. That was fun. Don’t have to think about that course now.

Now. Have I completed the goals that I set off to create some time ago? Sigh… Moving forward.

Describing Data

human — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 06:42:38 +0000

Statistics are used to

Describe data
Make inferences about population

Once statistics are in, it is helpful to construct frequency distribution
There are different ways to graph data
Pie chart good for nominal data with limited number of scores
Bar graphs are used for nominal or ordinal data, with height of bar representing frequency (categorical)
Frequency polygon for internal and ratio-scale data
Histogram uses bars to display internal and ratio-scale data since scale values are continuous
- Can see where or how people responded and can see outliers
Not how we present findings in psychology – avoid frequency distributions in lab reports

Case Studies

human — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:05:05 +0000

In-depth analysis of particular individual
Good source of inspiration, but should never be used as evidence
In-depth, longitudinal examination of individual, more qualitative
Focuses on in-depth description of case rather than statistical analysis
Uses a variety of other methods: naturalistic observation, interviews, questionnaires, psychological testing, physiological measure
e.g., Book: Phantoms of the Brain
Commonly used to study rare conditions and can provide great insight

Benefits

Allows formulation of hypothesis and theories
Can provide detail and greater understanding
Study of abnormality can provide insights into normal functioning

Limits

Should not be used to provide support for theories – no control groups
Suffers from internal validity – no causation
Since based on individual, cannot generalise
↓ internal validity
↓ external validity
Plenty of opportunity to colour research based on personal bias

Systematic Observation

human — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:00:59 +0000

Careful observation of one or more particular behaviours to quantify behaviours
Less global, more interest in specifics
Hypotheses are made in advance
More focused on observational method
e.g., Video and coding of child’s play, interested in sequence and order of play behaviours
To observe and code specific behaviour, quantified using coding system

Coding System – A description of a set of behaviour of how they are coded, with clear operational definition (need to be simple and categorised)

Issues in Systematic Observation

Reactivity is also a problem here, but time with cameras usually solves problem
Inter-rater reliability – coders need to agree on coding method
- More reliable with more coders
Better to look at segments of behaviour across time

Naturalistic Observation

human — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:58:02 +0000

Naturalistic Observation – Researcher makes observations in a natural settings with summary and interpretation

Qualitative approach → inspiration of ideas
Wide array of information
In-depth description
- High external validity
- Low internal validity
- There are concerns with biases and reactivity
Interpretation of results
e.g., Jane Goodall and Chimpanzees
Focuses on naturally occurring behaviours and recorded in-depth
Researcher must immerse self into environment of study
Detailed notes, organise observations around themes

Issues in Naturalistic Observation

Whether to be participant in setting being studied
Non-participant observer – does not join group but observes
- Participants may become aware of observation
- Not as immersed in situation
Participant Observer – participates
- Might over sympathise with participants
Weather or not to use concealment
- Reactivity – When measure (observation) changes participant behaviour
- Concealed observation might be unethical
- People become used to being observed and may become used to situation
Defining scope of observation – what aspects to focus research on
- Limited in what we can write down
Difficult, inconvenient, time-consuming

Observing Behaviour

human — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:54:49 +0000

Starting point for science; making a few observations
With observations and accumulation of knowledge, theories can be made
Variables can be qualitative or quantitative

Qualitative Research

People in natural settings
In-depth on relatively fewer people
Conclusions based on interpretations drawn by researcher
- Global and exploratory
Often no hypothesis tested, description of observations

Quantitative Research

Examining specific behaviours that can be easily quantified
Less in depth and larger samples
Conclusions are based on statistical analysis
Specific and focused

∴ Qualitative research begins research and provides ideas, then moves into quantitative domain