Chapter 4: Scientific Method Flashcards

Analogue experiment

An experimental study of a phenomenon different from but related to the actual interests of the investigator.

—> A lab study where researchers create a similar version of a real-life problem so they can study it safely and ethicallU

Case study

The collection of historical or biographical information on a single individual, often including experiences in therapy.

Classificatory variables

The characteristics that people bring with them to scientific investigations, such as

• sex,

• age,

• mental status

** studied by correlational research and mixed designs.

Correlation coefficient (R)

A statistic that measures the degree to which two variables are related.

+1.0 = positive (as one increases, the other does too)

0 = no relationship

-1.0 = negative (one increases, the other decrease)

Correlational method

The research strategy used to establish whether two or more variables are related

Developmental trajectories

The related pattern of a specific behaviour over time.

• The trajectory remains constant when the behaviour stays about the same over time,

• or it may increase or decrease either slightly or substantially.

Directionality problem

A difficulty that arises in the correlational method of research when it is known that two variables are related but it is unclear which is causing the other.

Epidemiology

The study of the frequency and distribution of illness in a population.

Experimental hypothesis

What the investigator assumes will happen in a scientific investigation if certain conditions are met or particular variables are manipulated

Experimental effect

A statistically significant difference between two groups experiencing different manipulations of the independent variable.

External validity

The extent to which an experiment that yields phenomena and results in laboratory settings can be generalized beyond the immediate study.

Group-based trajectory models

Conceptual models that predict different developmental trajectories based on the differential role of developmental factors that can influence treatment options and outcome

High-risk method

A research technique involving the intensive examination of people who have a high probability of later becoming abnormal.

Hypothesis

The specific prediction about the outcome of an experiment. It is based on the assumption that the theory in question is accurate.

Idiographic research

Case studies and qualitative research are examples of this approach;

• the focus is on the individual.

• Contrast with nomothetic research.

Incidence

In epidemiological studies of a particular disorder, the rate at which new cases occur in a given place at a given time.

• Compare with prevalence.

Internal validity

The extent to which the effect in a controlled experiment involving random assignment of participants and removal of extraneous factors can be confidently attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable.

• HOW WELL THE STUDY PROVES CAUSE AND EFFECT

Latent class growth analysis

A complicated multivariate statistical technique that examines groups in terms of developmental trajectories.

—> Technique that allows us to group

Meta-meta-analysis

A procedure that involves combining the results of multiple meta-analyses performed on a particular topic.

Mixed design

A research strategy in which both classificatory and experimental variables are used;

• assigning people from discrete populations to two experimental conditions is an example.

• a study that mixes who people are (like their diagnosis or gender) with what is done to them (like giving them a treatment).

Moderator variables

A variable that interacts with or influences how another variable is associated with a second variable.

• combine with other variables to jointly produce an outcome.

• EX: Social support is a ___ because it changes how strong the link is between stress and depression.

Nomothetic research

Variable-centred that aims to make generalizations about a population (e.g., anxiety and depression are correlated).

• Contrast with idiographic research.

Parental mental disorder

The presence of a behavioural or psychological syndrome in one's mother or father.

Prevalence

In epidemiological studies of a disorder, the percentage of a population that has the disorder at a given time.

Qualitative research

A descriptive approach to research based on a relatively small number of people that involves describing phenomena in rich detail.

Quantitative research

A numerical approach to research that typically involves numeral counts of a small number of variables assessed in a relatively large sample of participants.

Random assignment

A method of assigning people to groups in an experiment that gives each person an equal chance of being in each group. The procedure helps to ensure that groups are comparable before the experimental manipulation begins.

Reversal (ABAB) design

• Focus on one person and their behavior over time

• ABAB = baseline (A), treatment (B), remove treatment (A), treatment again (B)

• It is commonly used in operant research to isolate cause–effect relationships.

Science

The pursuit of systematized knowledge through reliable observation.

Severe abuse

The traumatic experience of extreme mistreatment by someone else (e.g., childhood sexual abuse).

Single-subject experimental design

A design for an experiment conducted with a single subject;

• for example, the reversal and multiple-baseline designs in operant conditioning research.

Statistical significance (p<0.5)

A result that has a low probability of having occurred by chance alone and is by convention regarded as important.

Theory-building case studies

Case studies that are useful in developing theoretical formulations according to the principle that an acceptable theory must be able to account for the common and unique themes found across a series of relevant case studies.

Third-variable problem

The difficulty in the correlational method of research whereby the relationship between two variables may be attributable to a third factor