Chap 3

Question 1

Epidemiological research

Answer 1

study of the incidence, prevalence, and co-occurance of childhood disorders

Question 2

Incidence rates

Answer 2

the extent to which new cases a disorder appear over a specified time period

Question 3

Prevalence rates

Answer 3

all cases whether new or previously existing, observed during a specified time period

Question 4

Moderator variables

Answer 4

influence the direction or strength of the relationship of variables of interest

Question 5

Mediator variables

Answer 5

the process, mechanism, or means through which a variable produces a particular outcome

Question 6

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

Answer 6

Children are randomly assigned to different treatment and control conditions
- gold standard for testing

Question 7

Treatment efficacy

Answer 7

whether a treatment can produce changes under well-controlled conditions

Question 8

Treatment effectiveness

Answer 8

whether the treatment can be shown to work in real world clinical practice

Question 9

Reliability

Answer 9

the consistency, or repeatability, of results obtained using a specific method of measurement
- measures behave in a predictable way

Question 10

Validity

Answer 10

the extent to which it actually measures the dimension or construct that the researcher sets out to measure

Question 11

Standardization

Answer 11

a process that specifies a set of standards or norms for a method of measurement

Question 12

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 12

electrophysiological measuring of the brain, measures electrical activity

Question 13

Neuroimaging

Answer 13

methods used to examine the structure and/or function of the brain

Question 14

Structural brain imaging

Answer 14

study brain anatomy

• MRI: radio signals produce fine grained analyses of brain
• CT: reveals various brain structures

Question 15

Functional brain imaging

Answer 15

studies brain functioning

• fMRI: registers neural activity in functioning areas of the brain
• PET: scan assess cerebral glucose metabolism
• Diffusion MRI: images showing connections between brain regions

Question 16

Naturalistic observation

Answer 16

observing child in natural environment; was it would typically occur

Question 17

Structured observation

Answer 17

an observation in a controlled/manipulated environment

Question 18

Internal validity

Answer 18

extent to which a particular variable, rather than extraneous influences account for the findings
- lots of controls, methods clear, relationships found actually exist

Question 19

External validity

Answer 19

degree to which findings can be generalized to other people, settings, times, measures, and characteristics
- how realistic in the real world?

Question 20

Comorbidity

Answer 20

simultaneous occurrence of two or more disorders

Question 21

True experiment

Answer 21

• Researchers have maximum control over the independent variable or conditions of interest
• Subjects are randomly assigned
• Needed control conditions are applied
• Possible bias sources are controlled

Question 22

Correlation coefficient

Answer 22

a number that describes a degree of association between two variables.
Can range from -1.00 to +1.00

Question 23

Random assignment

Answer 23

Helps control for participant characteristics

Question 24

Natural experiments (Quasi-Experimental Designs)

Answer 24

comparisons are made between conditions or treatments that already exist.
- emphasis on matching

Question 25

Retrospective design

Answer 25

Sample is identified at the current time and asked for information relating to an earlier time
- Data are highly susceptible to bias and distortion in recall

Question 26

Analogue research

Answer 26

evaluates a specific variable under conditions that only resemble or approximate the situation for which one wishes to generalize

Question 27

Real-time prospective designs

Answer 27

• Sample is identified and followed over time
• Data is collected at specified time intervals
• Problems related to bias and distortion in recall are minimized
• These designs are time consuming and susceptible to sample attrition

Question 28

Single-case experimental design

Answer 28

Applicable in evaluating the impact of a clinical treatment
ex. reinforcement or stimulant medication on a child’s problem
Involves systematic repeated assessment of behavior over time
The subject serves as own control

Question 29

A-B-A-B reversal design

Answer 29

baseline of behavior is first taken, followed by an intervention phase, then a return to baseline phase (intervention removed), final phase (intervention is reintroduced)

Question 30

Multiple-baseline design

Answer 30

Across behaviors different responses of the same individual are identified and measured over time to provide a baseline against any changes seen

Question 31

Cross-sectional research

Answer 31

Individuals at different ages or periods of development are studied at the same point in time

Question 32

Longitudinal research

Answer 32

Individuals are studied over time at different ages or periods of development

Question 33

Qualitative research

Answer 33

Focuses on narrative accounts, descriptions, interpretation, context, and meaning.

• Purpose is to describe, interpret, and understand the phenomenon of interest in the context in which it is experienced
• May be biased by researcher’s values and preferences
• Findings cannot be generalized to other individuals

Question 34

Mixed methods research

Answer 34

Combines qualitative and quantitative methods

Question 35

Informed consent

Answer 35

requires all participants to be fully informed of the nature of the research, as well as risks, benefits, expected outcomes, alternatives ad option to withdraw at any time
- minor consent must be obtained from legal guardian