Chapter 4 – Research Methods

I. Why Research?

A. Science vs pseudoscience, or the importance of critical thinking

B. Hallmarks of science

1. Falsifiability

2. Operationalization

3. Seeking disconfirming evidence, avoiding biases

4. Consider alternative explanations

5. “The plural of anecdote is not data”

II. The Scientific Method

A. Generate hypotheses

B. Test hypotheses (design and conduct study)

1. Choosing your variables: independent and dependent variables

2. Internal and external validity

C. Interpret results

1. Statistical significance

2. Clinical significance

D. Replicate results

III. Types of Scientific Studies

A. Case studies

B. Correlational studies

1. what IS correlation?

a. positive vs negative vs zero correlation

2. correlation ≠ causation

a. directionality problem

i. longitudinal vs cross-sectional studies

b. third-variable problem

3. test: is correlation coefficient (‘r’) statistically significant?

4. examples of correlational research

a. epidemiological research

b. behavior genetics (discussed in chpt 2 in class)

C. Epidemiological studies

1. Determines prevalence and incidence rates

2. Provides info on risk factors, predictors, etc

D. Experiments (controlled studies)

1. IV (independent variable)

2. DV (dependent variable)

3. Controlling for other variables

a. wait-list group or other control group

b. random assignment

c. blindness to conditions (participants, doctors, and/or evaluators)

d. many other possibilities

4. internal vs external validity

5. test: is difference between groups statistically significant?

E. Single-subject designs

1. subject acts as own control

2. ex: reversal design (ABAB design)

IV. Integration of findings

A. meta-analysis

B. “weight of the evidence”

1. consider methodological rigor of studies

2. consider source of studies