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List of psychological research methods
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<h2 id="common-methods">Common methods</h2> <p>Common research designs and data collection methods include: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Archival_research/qCDJYD8C">Archival research</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Case_study/2gcfBbe6">Case study</a> uses different research methods (e.g. interview, observation, self-report questionnaire) with a single case or small number of cases.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computer_simulation/Re6o8vzN">Computer simulation</a> (modeling)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ethnography/qxJRLSwJ">Ethnography</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Event_sampling_methodology/tv7mvCMn">Event sampling methodology</a>, also referred to as <a href="/facts/Experience_sampling_method/FRLofDW7">experience sampling methodology</a>, diary study, or ecological momentary assessment</li> <li><a href="/facts/Experiment/esltM54f">Experiment</a>, often with separate <a href="/facts/Treatment_and_control_groups/zeT4uJ2S">treatment and control groups</a> (see <a href="/facts/Scientific_control/FXHfQwHx">scientific control</a> and <a href="/facts/Design_of_experiments/VMrNftbr">design of experiments</a>). See <a href="/facts/Experimental_psychology/sFaxwsJo">Experimental psychology</a> for many details.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Field_experiment/HnYkuuhf">Field experiment</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Focus_group/JobGBQjv">Focus group</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Interview/an2tME3S">Interview</a>, can be <a href="/facts/Structured_interview/asJJM7DM">structured</a> or <a href="/facts/Unstructured_interview/EqN596oD">unstructured</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Meta-analysis/IcfChd8z">Meta-analysis</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Neuroimaging/dA5Cteaf">Neuroimaging</a> and other <a href="/facts/Psychophysiology/wJ5m5oeS">psychophysiological</a> methods</li> <li><a href="/facts/Observational_study/zEhxI4eh">Observational study</a>, can be naturalistic (see <a href="/facts/Natural_experiment/mLI7HCd1">natural experiment</a>), participant or controlled.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Program_evaluation/JKwaUkRa">Program evaluation</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Quasi-experiment/g0euFNIT">Quasi-experiment</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Self-report_inventory/2eTBpssx">Self-report inventory</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Survey_methodology/vgqyWzAY">Survey</a>, often with a <a href="/facts/Random_sample/URCwKNge">random sample</a> (see <a href="/facts/Survey_sampling/wocqQgV7">survey sampling</a>)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Twin_study/J1ykuTtW">Twin study</a></li></ul> <p>Research designs vary according to the period(s) of time over which data are collected: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Retrospective_cohort_study/xcHxdpvu">Retrospective cohort study</a>: Participants are chosen, then data are collected about their past experiences.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Prospective_cohort_study/NeAbQH7s">Prospective cohort study</a>: Participants are recruited prior to the proposed independent effects being administered or occurring.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cross-sectional_study/ISrYvbJx">Cross-sectional study</a>: A population is sampled on all proposed measures at one point in time.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Longitudinal_study/snyWEsXK">Longitudinal study</a>: Participants are studied at multiple time points. May address the <a href="/facts/Cohort_effect/HbhnJx2Q">cohort effect</a> and help to indicate causal directions of effects.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cross-sequential_study/dUMNHtVg">Cross-sequential study</a>: Groups of different ages are studied at multiple time points; combines cross-sectional and longitudinal designs</li></ul> <p>Research in psychology has been conducted with both animals and human subjects: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Animal_study/mHMf98y8">Animal study</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Human_subject_research/w57417CS">Human subject research</a></li></ul> <ul><li><a href="http://charlesstangor.com/">Stangor, C.</a> (2007). <i>Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences</i>. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.</li> <li>Weathington, B.L., Cunningham, C.J.L., & Pittenger, D.P. (2010). <i>Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences</i>. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.</li></ul>