The Scientific Method
The purpose of therapy
To facilitate a positive change in behavior that endures over time
Difference between Basic and Applied research
Applied research is therapeutic and tests a therapeutic protocol, basic research is not yet therapeutic
Define variable
Any attribute, event, or behavior that has at least two levels
What happens to the variables in Non-Experimental research vs. Experimental research?
Non-experimental - Simply observe or measure both variables without manipulating anything
Experimental - One variable is manipulated, the other is measured
Define Reliability and the three different types of Reliability
What are the three ways of knowing discussed in class?
Intuition, Authority, Empiricism
Name the four steps of the model and what type of research is at each step
Musical Response Model --> basic
Non-musical Parallel Model --> basic
Mediating Model --> basic
Clinical Research Model --> applied
Four relationships that can occur between variables
Positive linear, negative linear, curvilinear, no relationship
Limitations of Non-Experimental Method
Direction of Cause and Effect
- You don’t know which variable is causing the other to change, don't know which came first, don't know if a change was already in place, etc.
The Third Variable Problem
- Another factor(s) or variable(s) causing changes in the variables of interest that is external to the two variables being measured
Formula for Inter-Rater Reliability
Number of agreed upon behaviors /
Number of agreed upon behaviors + Number of disagreed behaviors = %
What is the purpose of the Scientific Method?
Provides a set of rules for gathering, evaluation, and reporting information
What is the important conclusion that can be drawn from Levels I and II of the model?
Tells us how the intervention/technique works (the overlap)
Independent vs. Dependent Variable
IV --> manipulated; the "cause"
DV --> measured; the "effect"
Two criteria of Experimental Control
Define Validity of a measurement tool and the 5 different types of Validity
- The trueness of a measurement instrument
The “what” of measurement
Construct validity, face validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity
Two conditions of a scientific test
Conditions must support and disprove the research question
Conditions must be designed so others can observe, evaluate, and replicate the method
Given this Level 4 Research Question, compose appropriate questions for levels 1, 2, and 3:
What is the effect of a musical mnemonic device on memory recall in children with learning disabilities?
Level I : How do people remember music?
Level II : How do people remember non-musical info?
Level III : What is the immediate effect of music on memory recall of nonmusical information?
Why do variables need an operational definition?
Accurate measurement
Clear communication with other researchers
What three factors determine causality?
Temporal order of variables, covariation, process of elimination
Define validity of a research study
The trueness of an entire research study
How does research relate to therapy?
Research helps us better understand human behavior
Limitations of Experimental Methods, including RCT, and how to address them
Sometimes it is just not possible to do random assignment
Sometimes control group is unethical
Solution - Select a different research design
Artificiality of Experiments
Bringing participants into an artificial environment
Solution - field research
You want to be able to capture genuine response
Ethical Considerations
Solution - ex post facto
Ask questions after to get an idea of what took place and what the results are
May not be as accurate
Define Internal Validity and External Validity
The results of a study are true; change in behavior is due to the intervention; strong cause and effect; causality
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The results can generalize to other groups of individuals
Can be compromised by artificiality (research environment different from natural environment)
Important to the clinical implications of research