The Research Methods In The Article "The Happiness Of Pursuit"

The three research methods used to accumulate the data which served as the basis for the article “The Happiness of pursuit” are the Survey, Correlation and Experimental Method. In the Survey Method, which is information from most people using public polling techniques to report behaviors, opinions, and attitudes. Paragraph 9 states that people have not been feeling optimistic as the years go by. According to a TIME poll, many Americans who identified themselves as optimists has plunged down from 79% to 50%. Also, another TIMES poll concludes that more than 20% of people will suffer from a mood disorder and more than 30% from an anxiety disorder. There are so many strengths this type of method has, surveys are simple, fast and anybody could have participated. The weaknesses this method had was that most of the answers people might have given might be inaccurate.

On the next method used in the article is the correlation, this method is a consistent, systematic positive, negative or no relationship between two events, measures, or variables. In paragraph 10, TIMES inspects that there is a gap between optimistic expectations and reality. According to TIMES poll, 25% of American women and 5% of men say they are taking antidepressants pills. While others may not be using pills, others used food as a way to deal with depression, 48% of women and 44% of men admit eating to boost their mood. The some of the strengths of this method are that it allows predictions and it can be used in a lab or clinic. One of the weaknesses that this method had is that cause and effect relationship cannot be confirmed.

Finally, the last method used in the article is Experimental. This method is the only way to identify cause and effect relationships. In paragraphs 13 through 16 explains how there were two investigations at Harvard and Boston University regarding two types of genes so called the immigrant gene impacting the person’s temperament. The first gene is called DRD4, which associates with activity in the brain’s dopamine receptors.

The gene comes in several forms, or alleles, one codes for even-temperedness and reflection, while the other two code for exploratory and impulsive behavior, as well for risk-taking and tolerance of novelty. The other gene is called 5-HTTLPR, this is related to serotonin transport and the allele of that gene codes for anxiety and risk avoidance. If genes play a role in determining an immigrant's mood, they do so in a subtle way. Serotonin and dopamine are thought to be as feel-good neurotransmitters. The more a person has them, the happier he or she will get. The strength this method shows is that cause and effect relationships can be Identified. The weaknesses this method has is that some natural behavior not easily studied in the laboratory.