The Four Main Research Methods in Psychology

A psychologist and their client during a therapy session.

October 5, 2022

If you are a psychology student or are interested in getting your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, you’ll quickly come across these four major research methods in psychology. Usually, these four psychology research methods are divided into two distinct types of psychological research: quantitative and qualitative.

Qualitative Research:

  • Studying objects in their natural settings.
  • An interpretive, naturalistic approach to the subject of research. 
  • Interpreting phenomena as they naturally occur. 

Quantitative Research:

  • Focuses on a group of people, rather than an individual. 
  • Collecting samples, the results of which are usually numerical. 

These four levels of analysis in psychology research utilize one of these two types to learn about and develop theories.

Case Study 

As a psychological research method, a case study follows the qualitative research process, observing communities, individuals, and even specific events. This type of psychological research is conducted with the help of interviews to document nuanced events that happen in someone’s life. The result turns it into a multi-methodological study as the psychologist examines the individual’s daily life, trying to understand and pinpoint where unhealthy behaviors are arising from, and how they can be realized. 

Example: A famous psychology case study is the analysis of Phineas Gage, a railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury. His case provided insights into the relationship between brain function and personality, significantly impacting our understanding of the brain’s role in behavior.

Experimental Method 

Following the quantitative theory, the experimental psychology research method looks at cause-and-effect relationships, and what happens when a single variable is manipulated. Psychological research experiments cover a broad range of methods that can be used to varying degrees of success, from sleep studies to field experiments. Some experiments allow the researcher to be more involved, while other psychological experiments require a hands-off approach. 

Example: One of the most famous experimental methods is the Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo. This experiment studied the psychological effects of perceived power, focusing on the struggle between prisoners and prison officers.

Observational Study 

When studying people from a distance, a psychologist gets an opportunity to examine behavior. Observational study is a qualitative psychology research method that looks at individuals, societies, or social constructs to see how the world around them impacts them. This type of research involves mixed methods as well, due to it occurring in natural settings where psychologists are unable to control the environment. 

Example: Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park is a well-known observational study. She observed the primates in their natural habitat, providing groundbreaking insights into primate behavior and social structures.

Survey

Both qualitative and quantitative, survey research utilizes levels of analysis in psychology. The survey method in psychological research utilizes respondents to answer questions, informing the psychologist how they feel. This self-reporting questionnaire asks about feelings, and what they have been doing during their regular day. Depending on the data collected, the results can be either qualitative or quantitative. This is up to the researcher. 

Example: The National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) is a famous study that used survey research methods to assess the prevalence and correlation of mental disorders in the United States. It provided critical data on the distribution of mental health issues across the population and has been a foundational resource for further mental health research and policy-making.

What’s Important about Psychological Research

Research methods in psychology help to expand the academic knowledge of mental health, and the world at large. In order to better understand the world around them, they become experts in the field of psychology and develop a deeper well of knowledge that they can use to help future clients. Are you interested in the field of psychology, and want to help others who are suffering? At St. Augustine, the BA in Psychology is the start of a long and fulfilling career in psychology. Contact us to learn more about it, and how you can start a new life.