Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is a theory
A set of propositions to explain observations
What makes a good theory
It is precise and it can be disporven
What is the correlational method
Do X and Y very together
Describe Correlation coefficients and the range
-1 to 1, closer to 1 or -1 is stronger correlation.
What is the high risk method
researchers study people who have an above average risk of developing something
What is the third variable problem
There is a third factor that produces the correlation, a confounding variable
Desribe prevelance, incidence, and correlates
Prevelance- people with the disorder in their lifetime
incidence- people with new cases in a year
correlates- variables that are correlated c disorder
What is the family method
used to study a genetic predisposition among members of a family, since gene correlation is known
What are index cases/probands
People who have a diagnosis in question that the family is then studied for
Describe the 4 basic features of experimetns
- Independent variable
- 2 conditions- random assignment
- researcher measures dependent variable
- experimental effect- differences between conditions
What is internal validity
extent to which experimental effect is attributed to independent variable
What is external validity
extent to which results can be generalized to population
What are single case experimental designs
Researcerhs tudies how one person responds to manipulations of independent variable
What is treatment outcome research
answers the question “does treatment work”
What are randomized controlled trials
Participants are randomly assigned placebo or active treatment
