Psychology- Proposal - Lab Report Example

Psychology Research Proposal Give brief details of your research proposal Psychology Research Proposal The human brainis very complex, and how it functions is very fascinating. The way it sores information, what information it stores, how it differentiates various information and how it solves problems is very remarkable. Very simple functions of the brain involve a lot of processes, (Nicholas 2009). I intend to do a research aimed at understanding how the human mind functions, through cognitive skills.

Topic: The research will focus on cognitive skills and abilities. These are processes that the brain carries out in order for us to perform usual tasks such as problem solving, decision making and reasoning among others. Cognitive abilities are mainly focused on memory and attention. According to Ashfor & Lecrov & Lortie (2010), anything we do during our day to day lives can be attributed to cognitive abilities. The research will aim at investigating how cognition works in different people.What is your hypothesis?

Hypothesis: Concentration greatly depends on cognitive abilitiesIt level of concentration greatly depends on how the mind applies cognitive abilities regardless of the conditions of the surrounding environment. Where you will collect data?The research will be done among my fellow students in my university. Upon approval from the school, I will use the entertainment hall to conduct the research since it will be convenient in providing the different noise levels.Sampling MethodThe research will combine two methods of sampling in psychology.

One method to be used will be stratified sampling which will involve dividing the student population into categories, from which I will choose students to participate from every category. I choose to use this method of sampling because entire student population will be represented in the research, (McBridge 2009). The research will also use self selected sampling. This is a sampling method where part of the participants will comprise of students who have volunteered. This technique will be of an advantage since it is relatively easy and quick.

Sample Size The sample size will be a maximum of 30 students (n=30). 30% (1/3n) will be students pursuing a diploma program, 30% (1/3n) will comprise of students undertaking a bachelor program and 30% (1/3n) will be students doing a masters course. At least 10% (1/10n) will be a student taking a doctorate program. All participants will be above 18 years old. Since this is a small research which will take a maximum of two hours, I will not need to run a pilot study. Design typeI will use the repeated measures design type, (Evans &Rooney 2010).

This is because the experiment will be done more than once.What are the Independent Variables?The students will be subjected to both chronic and acute noise conditions in order to experiment on their reading in both conditions. The experiment will be a repeated measure experiment since the all the participants cognitive ability will be tested in both acute and chronic conditions and their reading and comprehension ability tested in both conditions. The experiment will include manipulated variables/independent variables which will be rock music, soft music and a recording of a standup comedy (audio recording), (McBidge &Cutting 2010).

What are the Dependant Variables?The dependent variable will be the cognitive abilities. They will be asked to discuss the themes of the short article the read which will be marked with a maximum score of ten marks. Confounding variablesThe only confounding variables to be considered in the experiment will be the age of the participants.What is your control here? In the experiment content of the music and the comedy recording will have to be controlled to make sure, ethical issues do not affect the result of the experiment.

What are the ethical considerations of your study? The experiment will be challenged by the religion of the participants as an ethical issue. This is because, some students will come from some religions which don’t approve heavy metal rock type of music and some jokes in the comedy audio recording.(1) Invitation To Participate InformationYou are here by invited to participate in a research experiment which will be held in the entertainment hall 0n 20th November 2012. It will begin at 12.30 pm until two o’clock since the whole process of registration and the experiment will take a maximum of an hour.

You will note that the time specified will not interfere with you classes because the experiment will be held during the time allocated for lunch break. In the experiment you will be required to read an article in a noisy environment. Please do not be alarmed as the noise will be controlled to a level which cannot be of damage to your hearing. Lunch will be provided to compensate for any inconvenience. Thank you in advance.(2) Informed ConsentThe noise to be sampled will be rock music, soft music and a recording of standup comedy.

I have tried to limit the content to be as neutral as possible. However, it might contain information in which you can view as insulting or immoral. For example, the jokes in the recording of the comedy might contain jokes that talk about certain religion. Please note that the experiments aim is not to insult any participant hence, do not take it personal. I also hope this will not affect your response in the experiment.(3) DebriefingThe main goal for conducting the research experiment was to establish how different people concentrate in the same environment conditions.

No other factor was being tested in relation to concentration. Only brain functions involved in concentration were being tested. Please note that participant’s brightness or intellectuality was not being tested.(4) Study/test materialsYou will be provided with a pencil, A4 papers and a rubber for use in the experiment, which will be use to submit responses.ReferencesEvans Ness & Rooney Bryan. (2010). Methods in Psychological Research. Colorado: Sage Publications. Nicholas Lionel. (2009). Introduction to psychology.

Muizanberg: Juta and Company McBride Dawn. (2009). The Process of Research in Psychology. Colorado: Sage Ashfor Jose & LeCrov Craig & Lortie Kathy. (2010) Human Behavior in the Social Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective. New YorkMcBridge Dawn & Cutting Cooper. (2010). Lab Manual for Psychological research. Colorado: Sage.