Abnormal Psychology, 2018a

Abnormal Psychology
1.5. Research Methods in Psychopathology
Section Learning Objectives
Define the scientific method.
Outline and describe the steps of the scientific method, defining all key terms.
Identify and clarify the importance of the three cardinal features of science.
List the five main research methods used in psychology.
Describe observational research, listing its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe case study research, listing its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe survey research, listing its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe correlational research, listing its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe experimental research, listing its advantages and disadvantages.
State the utility and need for multimethod research.
1.5.1. The Scientific Method
Psychology is the “scientific study of behavior and mental processes.” We will spend quite a lot of time
on the behavior and mental processes part throughout this book and in relation to mental disorders.
Still, before we proceed, it is prudent to further elaborate on what makes psychology scientific. It is safe
to say that most people outside of our discipline or a sister science would be surprised to learn that
psychology utilizes the scientific method at all. That may be even truer of clinical psychology, especially
in light of the plethora of self-help books found at any bookstore. But yes, the treatment methods used
by mental health professionals are based on empirical research and the scientific method.
As a starting point, we should expand on what the scientific method is.
The scientific method is a systematic method for gathering knowledge about the world around us.
The keyword here is systematic, meaning there is a set way to use it. What is that way? Well, depending
on what source you look at, it can include a varying number of steps. I like to use the following:
Table 1.1: The Steps of the Scientific Method
Step Name
Description
36