CBSE Class 11 Psychology Chapter 2: Methods of Enquiry in Psychology NCERT Solutions

Psychological research, despite its diverse forms, aims to achieve several common goals. These goals provide a structured framework for understanding and investigating psychological phenomena:

1. Description: This goal involves defining and detailing a phenomenon or behavior, distinguishing it from others. It requires careful recording of events or behaviors to capture their various aspects. For instance, the concept of 'entertainment' can be described differently by individuals, ranging from reading books to visiting pubs.
2. Prediction: Prediction focuses on forecasting future events. It is achieved by establishing a relationship between two or more variables. For example, a psychologist might predict that regular exercise leads to weight loss. It's important to note that predictions in psychology are often made with a margin of error and are not absolute certainties.
3. Explanation: This goal seeks to understand the causes or reasons behind a particular behavior. It involves identifying the conditions under which a behavior occurs. For example, understanding that a child behaves rudely specifically when disturbed helps explain the rudeness as a response to disturbance.
4. Control: Control refers to the ability to influence or change a phenomenon or behavior. This can involve initiating a behavior, reducing its frequency, or enhancing it. Psychological treatments, such as therapies designed to alleviate distress or modify maladaptive behaviors, are prime examples of the application of control.
5. Application: Psychological research is often conducted with the aim of solving real-world problems faced by individuals, organizations, or communities. This can include providing therapies for individuals, using concepts like work motivation to improve organizational performance, or offering counseling to promote eco-friendly behaviors at a community level.

Conducting a scientific enquiry in psychology is a systematic process that involves several distinct steps:

1. Conceptualising a Problem: The research journey begins with the researcher identifying a broad theme or topic of interest. This is followed by formulating specific research questions or problems. These problems are often derived from existing research, personal observations, or experiences. A well-defined problem typically suggests a relationship between variables. For example, a researcher might ask, "What is the relationship between the amount of reward given and the effectiveness of classroom learning?" Following the problem formulation, a tentative and testable statement, known as a hypothesis, is proposed. For instance, the hypothesis could be: "An increased amount of reward will lead to improved learning outcomes."
2. Collecting Data: This stage involves developing a detailed research design, which acts as a blueprint for the study. Key decisions include identifying the participants (e.g., children, adolescents, adults) based on the research topic, and selecting appropriate data collection methods (e.g., observation, experiments, surveys, correlational studies). The researcher also decides on the specific tools to be used, such as interview schedules or questionnaires, and outlines the procedure for administering these tools, whether individually or in groups.
3. Drawing Conclusions: After the data has been collected using the chosen methods and tools, the next critical step is to analyze the data to understand its meaning. This analysis often involves organizing data, which may include graphical representations like bar diagrams or pie charts, and calculating statistical measures such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation. The primary purpose of data analysis is to test the hypothesis and draw conclusions based on the findings.
4. Revising Research Conclusions: While not explicitly detailed in the source, this step typically involves interpreting the conclusions in light of the original hypothesis and existing literature, considering limitations, and suggesting areas for future research. It ensures the robustness and validity of the findings.