Module 02: Research Methods in I/O Psychology

Description: This module covers the scientific methods used to study workplace behavior and test I/O psychology interventions. Students will explore experimental and quasi-experimental designs, survey research, observational methods, and meta-analysis. The module emphasizes how to evaluate the quality of research and apply findings to practical workplace problems.

Why this Module is Important: I/O psychology is built on scientific evidence, and counseling professionals must also be able to evaluate research quality to make informed decisions about their practice. This module provides the tools to critically assess studies about therapeutic interventions, workplace mental health programs, and organizational factors affecting client well-being. Understanding research methods helps you become a more evidence-based practitioner.

Future counselors will encounter research on topics like workplace stress and mental health, organizational factors in employee assistance programs, and the effectiveness of workplace mental health interventions. Being able to evaluate this research helps you make better recommendations to clients dealing with work-related issues and stay current with best practices in your field.

Additionally, if you work in an organizational setting (which most counselors do), you may need to design data collection efforts to demonstrate program effectiveness, evaluate client outcomes, or assess organizational needs. Whether you’re documenting treatment progress, evaluating the success of a support group, or helping organizations assess workplace mental health needs, understanding research methodology becomes an essential professional skill.

 Module Learning Objectives: By the end of this module students will be able to…

• MLO1: Describe different research designs, ethical principles, and statistical methods used in I/O psychology research. (ULO2, CLO1, APA1)
• MLO2: Evaluate the trade-off between internal and external validity, apply APA ethical guidelines to research, and explain the use of regression procedures in I/O psychology. (ULO2, CLO2, APA2)
• MLO3: Design research approaches to study workplace absenteeism and communicate validity considerations through professional discussion. (ULO2, CLO3, CLO4, APA4, APA5)