Psychology uses a whole range of special methods to accumulate scientific data . For this science, it is extremely important in which way knowledge is obtained. L. Vygotsky believed that the facts obtained using different cognitive principles are completely different facts.
The facts obtained in an empirical study are determined by the influence of research schemes, hypotheses, already existing knowledge about the studied object and other factors. Therefore, the methodology and methods of psychological research are one of the most significant and debated problems of psychology as a science.
Methods of psychological research are methods of researching and studying the psychological characteristics of different people, analyzing and processing the collected psychological information, as well as obtaining scientific conclusions based on research facts. Methods are used to solve specific research problems in the field of psychology.
The main methods of psychological research are experiment and observation. Each of these methods acts in specific forms and is characterized by various subspecies and features.
Methods of psychological research are aimed at revealing features, patterns, psyche mechanisms of individuals and social groups, as well as for a similar study of mental processes and phenomena. Each method has its own capabilities, but also has certain limitations. These features must be taken into account in practice, professional and other activities.
Research in the field of psychology is aimed at obtaining an objective result, true knowledge about certain possibilities of the psyche. This requires the development of individual methods of psychology and methods of professional psychological research and study of man.
Psychological research methods can be classified. There are various approaches to this issue. For example, B. Ananiev distinguishes the following groups of research methods in psychology.
Organizational - include comparative analysis (comparison of subjects according to a certain criterion: type of activity, age, etc.), longitudinal method (long-term study of one phenomenon), complex (representatives of different sciences are involved in the study, different means of study).
Empirical is the collection of primary information. They distinguish observational methods (by which they mean observation and self-observation.
Experiments are methods that include field, laboratory, natural, formative and ascertaining research.
Psychodiagnostic - test methods that are divided into projective, standardized tests, conversation, interviews, questionnaires, sociometry, questionnaires, etc.
Praximetric - methods of analysis of phenomena, products of the psyche, such as chronometry, biographical method; professiogram, cyclography, evaluation of products of activity; modeling.
Data processing methods, which include quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (analysis and differentiation of materials by groups), they allow you to establish patterns that are hidden from direct perception.
Interpretation methods involve separate methods for explaining the dependencies and patterns identified in the statistical processing of data and their comparison with already known facts. This includes typological classification, genetic method, structural, psychography, psychological profile.
The principles of psychological research : non-damage to the subject, competence, impartiality, confidentiality, informed consent.