CHAPTER 4 Flashcards
1) allows us to escape the realm of pure speculation or appeal to authority
2) helps us extend and modify our theories as well as establish their parsimony and utility
Research
Can lead people to erroneous conclusions. However, it is through such observation that we develop hypotheses that can eventually be tested more systematically
Unsystematic Observation
- Is more systematic and rigorous than unsystematic observation. It is neither casual nor freewheeling but is carefully planned in advance.
- It is also possible that in the midst of observing or recording responses, the observer may unwittingly interfere with or influence the events under study.
Naturalistic Observation
While the research may be carried out in the field or in relatively natural settings, the investigator exerts some degree of control over the events.
Controlled Observation
- Involves the intensive study of a client or patient who is in treatment. Under the heading of ___________ we include material from interviews, test responses, and treatment accounts.
- Have been especially useful for (a) providing descriptions of rare or unusual phenomena or novel, distinctive methods of interviewing, assessing, or treating patients; (b) disconfirming “universally” known or accepted information; and (c) generating testable hypotheses.
Case Study
Is the study of the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of illness or disease in a given population.
Epidemiology
gives us some sense of whether the rate of new cases of the illness or disorder is on the increase
Incidence
estimate what percentage of the target population is affected by the illness or disorder
Prevalence
These techniques enable us to determine whether variable X is related to variable Y.
The Technique
- To correlate two variables, we first obtain
two sets of observations. - example: Pearson-product correlation
coefficient; Scatterplot
Correlational Methods
The Question of Causality
- Correlational methods cannot answer the question of cause and effect. Correlational methods can demonstrate that a cause–effect hypothesis is not valid.
- Third-variable problem: the investigator must avoid assuming that one variable causes the other because there is always the possibility that a third (unmeasured) variable is involved.
- A way of examining the interrelationships among a number of variables at the same time.
- The idea is that when variables change together, they must have some element in common that underlies their relationship.
Factor Analysis
- is one that evaluates or compares individuals, perhaps of different age groups, at the same point in time.
- it is also correlational because the investigator cannot manipulate age nor can participants be assigned to different age groups.
Cross—Sectional Design
- follows the same subjects over time.
- studies are those in which we collect data on the same people over time. Such designs allow us to gain insight into how behavior or mental processes change with age.
Longitudinal Design
Issues in Longitudinal Design
1) Mortality
2) Maturation
dropping out of participants from the group
Mortality
natural biological of physiological changes operating as a function of passage time
Maturation
- to determine cause–effect relationships among events, we must use __________
- it also uses scientific methods to collect data and perform research about wide range of behavioral topics among humans
Experimental Method
Variable that is being manipulated
Independent Variable
Variable that is being observed
Dependent Variable
Variable that is being constant
Control Variable
Any variable that has the potential to influence dependent variable
Extraneous Variable
A variable that had an unwanted effect to the dependent variable
Confounding Variable
A potential independent variable help constant during the experiment so as not to cause an effect on dependent variable.
Control Variable
Observation comes first before a theory is formulated. Also called exploratory approach like Freud’s theory
Induction Method
