Chapter 3 Flashcards
evaluates a specific variable of interest under conditions that only resemble or approximate the situation for which one wishes to generalize.
Analogue Research
the more general approach to systematically organizing and using assessment information in terms of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences
Behavior Analysis or Functional Analysis of Behavior
an examination of the relationship between environmental events and a child’s behavior. This may include considering what precedes a behavior, what the behavior looks like, and the consequences of the behavior.
Behavioral Assessment (ABC’s)
the more general approach to systematically organizing and using assessment information in terms of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences
Rating Scales
Used to ask parents, teachers, and sometimes the youths themselves to rate the presence or absence of a wide variety of child behaviors or to rate the frequency and intensity of these behaviors.
Global Behavior Checklist
Principle of assent
Brief age-appropriate description to children and ask them if they are willing to do it.
Consent/Assent
Research that looks at the prevalence and incidence of a disorder in a population. Prevalence is defined as all cases of a disorder divided by the population at risk, and incidence is defined as new cases of a disorder divided by the population at risk.
Epidemiological Research
The sources discuss ethical practices in research, including informed consent, free choice, understanding what participants will experience, child assent, and minimizing harm. The discussion of the Little Albert study raises questions about ethical practices because the baby was conditioned to fear stimuli without clear benefit.
Ethical Issues
The research process begins with a research question or hypothesis, which is derived from theory, existing research, and clinical observations
Hypotheses
This is a research method described in the sources as the best way to track development across time, but has limitations such as high costs, time requirements, attrition of participants, and the possibility of measures becoming outdated. The Kauai study is an example of longitudinal research, where children were assessed at multiple time points from birth to age 32.
Longitudinal Research
The process, mechanism, or means through which a variable produces a specific outcome
- How one variable results from another
- Endorphins are how exercise impacts mood
- EXPLAINS the relationship between variables
Mediating Variables
- A variable that’s a factor influencing the direction or strength of the relationship
- Age may play a role in how much exercise impacts mood
- AFFECTS the relationship between 2 variables
Moderating Variables
This refers to defining a study construct in measurable ways, translating a theoretical concept into observable units.
- For example, a covert rule violation is given as an operational definition of aggression in young children.
Operational Definition
- Prevalence = all cases / population at risk
- Incidence = new cases / population at risk
Prevalence vs Incidence Rates
This is another term for longitudinal design. A prospective design is described as the best way to track development across time
Prospective Design
- Inter-rater reliability is the extent to which two independent raters agree on how to code each behavior.
- Test-retest reliability is how consistent measures are across relatively short time periods.
Reliability (consistency of measures, inter-rater, test-retest)
important in experimental research, where subjects are randomly assigned to groups to control for possible biases
Random Assignment
This is a method of examining how a clinical group of interest functioned at an earlier point in their development. It is limited by the potential for bias in the recollections of caregivers
Retrospective Design
This is the process by which a set of norms is specified for a measurement procedure so that it can be used consistently across different assessments. For example, keeping the presentation of the test consistent, and not influencing the person being tested by the tester’s behavior.
Standardization
a number that describes the degree of association between two variables. A correlation coefficient can range from 21.00 to 11.00. The size of the correlation indicates the strength of the association between two variables. A zero correlation indicates no relationship; the closer the value gets to 21.00 or 11.00, the stronger the relationship is.
The sign of the
correlation coefficient (plus or minus) indicates the
direction of the relationship. A positive sign (1) indi-
cates that as one variable increases in value, so does
the other, whereas a negative sign (2) indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases.
Correlation Coefficient
A method of research whereby different individuals at different ages/stages of development are studied at the same point in time.
different individuals at different ages or stages of development are studied at the same point in time.
Cross-Sectional Research
A single-case experimental design in which the effect of a treatment is shown by demonstrating that behaviors in more than one baseline change as a result of the institution of a treatment.
Multiple-Baseline Design
comparisons are made between conditions or treatments that already exist. The experiments may involve children with different disorders,
parents with different mental health concerns, or different family environments (e.g., children who have suffered from neglect vs children who have not).
- using known-group comparisons are the only viable option
Natural Experiment
the researcher goes into the child’s home,
classroom, or day-care center to observe and record
the behaviors of interest of the child and often of
parents, teachers, siblings, and peers with whom the
child interacts. Alternatively, the researcher may make
a recording of behavior in the natural environment,
which can be analyzed at a later time.
Naturalistic Observation
