ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes four broad categories of research: Basic research tests theories in order to formulate general principles of behavior; applied research seeks solutions to specific problems; evaluation research examines the success of psychological or social interventions; and action research combines basic, applied, and evaluation research. Research can also be classified in terms by whether the data collected are quantitative or qualitative. Researchers can use three strategies to collect data: experimental, case study, or correlational. Any of these strategies can be used in field or laboratory settings. Research studies can also take either a short-term “snapshot” of behavior or a long-term, longitudinal approach to data collection. The chapter concludes with a discussion of generalizability, control, and naturalism in research.
