(AB PSYCH) Research Methods

an educated guess of statement to be supported by data

an educated guess of statement to be supported by data

Hypothesis

the plan for testing hypotheses. Affected by the question addressed by the hypothesis, and by practical considerations

Research Design

some aspect of the phenomenon that is measured and is expected to be changed or influenced by the independent variable

Dependent variable

the aspect manipulated or thought to influence the change in the dependent variable

Independent variable

the extent to which the results of the study can be attributed to the independent variable.

Internal validity

the extent to which the results of the study can be generalized or applied outside immediate study

External validity

Investigating intensively one or more individuals who display the behavioral and physical patterns. It relies on clinician’s observations of differences among one person/group with a disorder, with other disorder, and without psychological disorder.

Case Study Method

Statistical relationship between 2 or more variables. Positive and negative correlation tells the direction.

Does not imply causation

Reaserch by Correlation

Strength of relationship

0.00 - 1.00 (1.00 is the ideal)

Tracking disorder among many people to find important clues as to why disorder exists

Epidemiological Research

number of people with disorder at any time

Prevalence

estimated number of new cases during a specific period

Incidence

Involves manipulation of an independent variable and the observation of its effects.

Research by experiment

Manipulating independent variable to see how behavior of the people in the group is affected

Group experimental design

people in the treatment often expect to get better

Placebo effect

They are not exposed to independent variable. Received no treatment to allow the comparisons from the experimental group

Control groups

disappointment of not receiving the treatment

Frusto effect

participants are not aware of what group they do belong or what treatment they are given

Double-Blind control group (Single-bind)

both researchers or therapist and participants are not aware of the providing treatment

Double-Blind control group (Double-bind)

Researcher gives different treatments to two or more comparable groups of people with a particular disorder and can assess how or whether treatment helped who received it.

Comparative Treatment Research

Disorder, Comorbidities, and Pre-disposing factor

Factors to consider in comparative treatment research

Systematic study of individuals under a variety of experimental conditions.

Single-case experimental design

Behavior is measured several times instead of only one before changing the independent variable

Repeated Measures

To check if the independent variable is responsible for changes in behavior

Withdrawal Design

Rather than stopping the treatment, the researcher starts treatment at different times across settings, behaviors or people

Multiple Baseline

Examine the origin and strategies for treating an individual’s behavior problem or disorder requires several factors to be considered so that multiple possible influences are taken into account

Genetics and Behavior across Time and Culture

observable characteristics or behavior of the individual

Phenotype

unique genetic makeup of individual people

Genotype

mapping approximately 25,000 human genes

Human Genome Project

genetic mechanisms that ultimately contribute to the underlying problems causing the symptoms and difficulties by people with psychological disorder

Endophenotypes