Research Methods

Question 1

Construct

Answer 1

An abstract concept that is specifically chosen (or created) to explain phenomenon

Question 2

descriptive research

Answer 2

research that is directed at making careful observations and documentation of an identified phenomenon. Observations are based on the scientific method

Question 3

epistemology

Answer 3

refers to our assumptions about hte best way to study the world (e.g. objective or subjetive approach)

Question 4

exploratory research

Answer 4

research conducted in new areas of inquiry where the goals are

1. to scope out the magnitude or extent of a particular phenomenon, problem or bxs
2. to generate some initial ideas about hte phenomenon
3. to test the feasability of undertaking a more extensive study regarding that phenomenon

Question 5

ontology

Answer 5

refers to our assumptions about how we see the world (e.g. does the world consist mostly of social order or constant change)

Question 6

operational definitions

Answer 6

used to define contstructs in terms of how they will be empirically measured

Question 7

operationaliization

Answer 7

the process of designing precise meaures for abstract theoretical constructs

Question 8

sampling

Answer 8

the target population from which they wish to collect data

Question 9

unit of analysis

Answer 9

refers to the person, group, or object that is the target for investigation

Question 10

variable

Answer 10

a measurable representation of an abstract construct

Question 11

internal validity

Answer 11

AKA- causality; examines whether the obsered change in a dependent variable is indeed cause by a corresponding hange in a hypothesized independent variable, and NOT by variables extraneous to the research context. Essentially, is the data congruent to the hypothesis and measured variables as opposed to other factors not accounted for

Question 12

external validity

Answer 12

AKA generalizability; refers to whether the observed associations can be generalized from the sample to the population, or to other people, organizations, context or time

Question 13

construct validity

Answer 13

examines how well a given measurement scale is measuring the theoretical construct that is expected to measure

Question 14

statistical conclusion validity

Answer 14

examines the extent to which conclusions derived using a statistical procedure are valid

Question 15

experiential studies

Answer 15

measure cause-and-effect relationships. usually involves a treatment group and a contrl group. subjects must be randomly assigned to be in a group otherwise the design is quasi-experimental

Question 16

field surveys

Answer 16

measures operationally-defined variables . they are snapshots of practices, beliefs or situations from a random sample of subjects in field settings measured through a survey questionnaire or structured interview

Question 17

secondary data analysis

Answer 17

analysis of data that has previously been collected and tabulated by other sources

Question 18

case research (case studies)

Answer 18

in depth investigation of a probelm in one or more settings over an extended period of time

Question 19

focus group research

Answer 19

bring a small group of people and have them discuss a phenomenon usually between 1.5-2 hours

Question 20

ethnography

Answer 20

interpretive research design emphasizing that research phenomenon must be studied within the context of its native culture. researcher is immersed in a culture over an extended period of time recording the daily life of the culture, and theorizes about hte evolution and bxs of that culture

Question 21

survey research

Answer 21

involves use of standardized questionnairs or interview to collect data about preferences, thoughts and bxs in a systematic manner

Question 22

interview survey

Answer 22

peronslized form of data collection that are conducted by a trained interviewer using the same reserach protocol as questionnaire surveys (ie.. standarized set of questions)

Question 23

qualitative analysis

Answer 23

text data from interview transcripts. largely dependet on researchers analytic and integrative skills and personal knowledge of the social context where the data was collected

Question 24

quantitative analysis

Answer 24

statistics driven and largely independent of the researcher

Question 25

grounded theory

Answer 25

an inductive technique of interpreting recorded data about a social phenomenon to build theories about htat phenomenon

Question 26

Lambert’s Common Factors Model

Answer 26

client factors - 40%
therapeutic relationship - 30%
hope/placebo effect - 15%
therapeutic model - 15%

Question 27

What is multi-dimensional family therapy good for?

Answer 27

effective in treating adolescent substance abuse

Question 28

what is Parent child interaction therapy good for

Answer 28

efective in reducing recidivism of child abuse in families over time

Question 29

what is Emotionally focused couples therapy goo for

Answer 29

70% of couples report experiencing significant benefits addressing relaltional distress

Question 30

What was couples therapy effective in treating?

Answer 30

couples therapy just as effective as individual therapy in treating depresssion. couples therapy more effective in treating relational distress than individual therapy

Question 31

family therapy is highly beneficial to what disorder?

Answer 31

substance abuse. involving family in treatment is highly effective in treating addiction

Question 32

what is helpful in dealing with a major mental illness

Answer 32

psychoeducational approaches are effective in educating families about coping with te stressors asscoiated with serious or persistant mental illness. FAmily therapy does not cure major mental illness but helps families learn how to navigate its impact