Class 11 Psychology - HARYANA
Methods of Enquiry in Psychology
Chapter 2 of Psychology for Class 11 Haryana (BSEH) Board, 'Methods of Enquiry in Psychology', explores how psychologists scientifically study human behavior and mental processes. It covers the goals of psychological enquiry, steps in scientific research, and various data collection methods such as observation, experimental method, correlational research, survey, and case study. Understanding this chapter is crucial for board exams as it builds the methodological foundation for all subsequent chapters in psychology, frequently featuring in both objective and long-answer questions about research design and experimental controls.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Goals of Psychological Enquiry
The primary objectives of research in psychology are description, prediction, explanation, and control of behavior, along with the application of knowledge to solve human problems.
Experimental Method
A research method where the investigator manipulates an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable under controlled conditions, establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
Observation Method
A qualitative or quantitative technique involving the systematic, organized, and objective recording of behavior as it naturally occurs in real-life or laboratory settings.
Correlational Research
A research method used to find the relationship and strength of association between two or more variables, ranging from positive to negative correlation.
Case Study
An in-depth, intensive study of an individual, small group, or situation using multiple sources of information to gain detailed descriptive insights.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana (BSEH) Class 11 Psychology board examinations, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions frequently appear as 1-mark objective questions (MCQs/fill-in-the-blanks) testing terms like independent/dependent variables, 2-3 mark short-answer questions differentiating methods like observation and experimentation, and 5-mark long-answer questions explaining steps in scientific research or specific data collection techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?
An independent variable is the cause or the factor manipulated by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the effect or the behavior measured in response to the independent variable.
Can correlational research prove cause and effect?
No, correlational research only shows whether two variables are related or associated, but it cannot prove that one variable causes changes in the other.
Why is psychological research conducted ethically?
Ethical guidelines such as informed consent, confidentiality, and debriefing are essential to protect human and animal participants from physical or psychological harm during research.
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