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There are several differentresearch methods in psychology, each of which can help researchers learn more about the way people think, feel, and behave. If you’re a psychology student or just want to know the types of research in psychology, here are the main ones as well as how they work.
Three Main Types of Research in Psychologystevecoleimages/Getty ImagesPsychology research can usually be classified as one of three major types.1. Causal or Experimental ResearchWhen most people think of scientific experimentation, research on cause and effect is most often brought to mind.Experiments on causal relationshipsinvestigate the effect of one or more variables on one or more outcome variables. This type of research also determines if one variable causes another variable to occur or change.An example of this type of research in psychology would be changing the length of a specific mental health treatment and measuring the effect on study participants.2. Descriptive ResearchDescriptive research seeks to depict what already exists in a group or population. Three types of psychology research utilizing this method are:Case studiesObservational studiesSurveysAn example of this psychology research method would be an opinion poll to determine which presidential candidate people plan to vote for in the next election. Descriptive studies don’t try to measure the effect of a variable; they seek only to describe it.3. Relational or Correlational ResearchA study that investigates the connection between two or more variables is considered relational research.The variables compared are generally already present in the group or population.For example, a study that looks at the proportion of males and females that would purchase either a classical CD or a jazz CD would be studying the relationship between gender and music preference.
Three Main Types of Research in Psychology
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Psychology research can usually be classified as one of three major types.
1. Causal or Experimental Research
When most people think of scientific experimentation, research on cause and effect is most often brought to mind.Experiments on causal relationshipsinvestigate the effect of one or more variables on one or more outcome variables. This type of research also determines if one variable causes another variable to occur or change.
An example of this type of research in psychology would be changing the length of a specific mental health treatment and measuring the effect on study participants.
2. Descriptive Research
Descriptive research seeks to depict what already exists in a group or population. Three types of psychology research utilizing this method are:
An example of this psychology research method would be an opinion poll to determine which presidential candidate people plan to vote for in the next election. Descriptive studies don’t try to measure the effect of a variable; they seek only to describe it.
3. Relational or Correlational Research
A study that investigates the connection between two or more variables is considered relational research.The variables compared are generally already present in the group or population.
For example, a study that looks at the proportion of males and females that would purchase either a classical CD or a jazz CD would be studying the relationship between gender and music preference.
Theory vs. Hypothesis in Psychology ResearchPeople often confuse the termstheoryandhypothesisor are not quite sure of the distinctions between the two concepts. If you’re a psychology student, it’s essential to understand what each term means, how they differ, and how they’re used in psychology research.Atheoryis a well-established principle that has been developed to explain some aspect of the natural world. A theory arises from repeated observation and testing and incorporates facts, laws, predictions, and tested hypotheses that are widely accepted.Ahypothesisis a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. For example, an experiment designed to look at the relationship between study habits and test anxiety might have a hypothesis that states, “We predict that students with better study habits will suffer less test anxiety.” Unless your study is exploratory in nature, your hypothesis should always explain what you expect to happen during the course of your experiment or research.While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday use, the difference between a theory and a hypothesis is important when studying experimental design.Some other important distinctions to note include:A theory predicts events in general terms, while a hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a specified set of circumstances.A theory has been extensively tested and is generally accepted, while a hypothesis is a speculative guess that has yet to be tested.
Theory vs. Hypothesis in Psychology Research
People often confuse the termstheoryandhypothesisor are not quite sure of the distinctions between the two concepts. If you’re a psychology student, it’s essential to understand what each term means, how they differ, and how they’re used in psychology research.
Atheoryis a well-established principle that has been developed to explain some aspect of the natural world. A theory arises from repeated observation and testing and incorporates facts, laws, predictions, and tested hypotheses that are widely accepted.
Ahypothesisis a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. For example, an experiment designed to look at the relationship between study habits and test anxiety might have a hypothesis that states, “We predict that students with better study habits will suffer less test anxiety.” Unless your study is exploratory in nature, your hypothesis should always explain what you expect to happen during the course of your experiment or research.
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday use, the difference between a theory and a hypothesis is important when studying experimental design.
Some other important distinctions to note include:A theory predicts events in general terms, while a hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a specified set of circumstances.A theory has been extensively tested and is generally accepted, while a hypothesis is a speculative guess that has yet to be tested.
Some other important distinctions to note include:
The Effect of Time on Research Methods in PsychologyThere are two types of time dimensions that can be used in designing a research study:Cross-sectional researchtakes place at a single point in time.All tests, measures, or variables are administered to participants on one occasion. This type of research seeks to gather data on present conditions instead of looking at the effects of a variable over a period of time.Longitudinal researchis a study that takes place over a period of time.Data is first collected at the beginning of the study, and may then be gathered repeatedly throughout the length of the study. Some longitudinal studies may occur over a short period of time, such as a few days, while others may take place over a period of months, years, or even decades.The effects of aging are often investigated using longitudinal research.
The Effect of Time on Research Methods in Psychology
There are two types of time dimensions that can be used in designing a research study:
The effects of aging are often investigated using longitudinal research.
Causal Relationships Between Psychology Research Variables
What do we mean when we talk about a “relationship” between variables? In psychological research, we’re referring to a connection between two or more factors that we can measure or systematically vary.
One of the most important distinctions to make when discussing the relationship between variables is the meaning of causation.
Correlational Relationships Between Psychology Research Variables
In both types of correlation, there is no evidence or proof that changes in one variablecausechanges in the other variable. Acorrelationsimply indicates that there is a relationship between the two variables.
The most important concept is that correlation does not equal causation. Many popular media sources make the mistake of assuming that simply because two variables are related, a causal relationship exists.
SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Psychologists use descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs to understand behavior. In:Introduction to Psychology. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing; 2010.Caruana EJ, Roman M, Herandez-Sanchez J, Solli P.Longitudinal studies.Journal of Thoracic Disease.2015;7(11):E537-E540. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.10.63University of Berkeley.Science at multiple levels.Understanding Science 101. Published 2012.
Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Psychologists use descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs to understand behavior. In:Introduction to Psychology. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing; 2010.Caruana EJ, Roman M, Herandez-Sanchez J, Solli P.Longitudinal studies.Journal of Thoracic Disease.2015;7(11):E537-E540. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.10.63University of Berkeley.Science at multiple levels.Understanding Science 101. Published 2012.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Psychologists use descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs to understand behavior. In:Introduction to Psychology. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing; 2010.Caruana EJ, Roman M, Herandez-Sanchez J, Solli P.Longitudinal studies.Journal of Thoracic Disease.2015;7(11):E537-E540. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.10.63University of Berkeley.Science at multiple levels.Understanding Science 101. Published 2012.
Psychologists use descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs to understand behavior. In:Introduction to Psychology. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing; 2010.
Caruana EJ, Roman M, Herandez-Sanchez J, Solli P.Longitudinal studies.Journal of Thoracic Disease.2015;7(11):E537-E540. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.10.63
University of Berkeley.Science at multiple levels.Understanding Science 101. Published 2012.
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