Transcript Research Methods in Clinical Psychology

Research Methods in Child
Psychopathology
Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.
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Why do research?
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We can avoid speculation.
Is a particular technique really effective?
Research also helps us extend and modify
our theories.
Example of Beck’s theory of depression.
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Methods
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Observation versus unsystematic observation
Unsystematic Observation
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Naturalistic Observation
Case Studies
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The Case of Dora
The Case of Little Hans
The Three Faces of Eve
The Mask of Sanity
Cases in Behavior Modification
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Skeptism in Child Psychopathology
Research
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Experts of childhood disorders frequently
disagree.
Findings often in conflict with one another.
Research has led to different treatment
recommendations, and some treatments
have no effect.
Conclusions are often qualified, with no
definitive answers.
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Epidemiological Research
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The study of the:
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incidence
prevalence
distribution of illness or disease in a given
population.
Mostly done with surveys and interviews.
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Common Research topics
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Correlated variables are associated at a
particular point in time with no clear proof that
one precedes the other.
Risk factor: variable that precedes an
outcome of interest and increases the
chances that the outcome will occur.
Protective factor: variable that precedes an
outcome of interest and decreases the
chances that the outcome will occur.
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Common Research Topics
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Outcomes associated with childhood
problems.
Interventions
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Treatment efficacy
Treatment effectiveness
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Potential Problems with Survey Data
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How do we define mental illness?
How do we locate these cases?
How do we handle less serious forms of the
illness?
Sampling issues.
Issues of social desirability.
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Correlational Methods
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Are particular patient characteristics related
to therapy outcomes?
What is correlation?
The issue of causality.
Factor Analysis
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Cross-sectional versus Longitudinal
Approaches
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Cross-sectional
Longitudinal
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Experimental Method
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Cause and effect relationships
Langer & Rodin (1976) study
The issue of matching.
Experimental hypothesis.
Independent & Dependent Variables.
Controlling for extraneous variables.
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Between versus Within Group Designs
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Between: 1 group receives the treatment; the
other does not.
Random Assignment.
Within group: comparisons might be made
on the same patient at different points in time.
Example.
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Analog Research
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The question: are studies in the laboratory
analogous to real life?
The benefits of analog research.
For example: constructing the way they think
phobias occur.
Almost all experimental studies are analog
studies.
Issue: ethical restraints.
Other benefits: better internal validity.
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Single-case design
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Similar to both experimental and case study
methods.
A subject’s behavior is measured under
several conditions.
Baseline – measure – intervention –
measure.
Positive use – in the clinical setting & reduces
the numbers needed.
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ABAB Design
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A=initial baseline period
B=treatment period
A=return to the baseline
B=second treatment period.
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Multiple Baseline Designs
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Example of a baseline design.
Ethical issues.
Moras, Telfer, & Barlow (1993)
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Mixed Design
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Experimental & correlational techniques are
sometimes combined.
Davidson et al (2004).
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Statistical Significance
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Statistical versus practical significance.
.05 is a scientific tradition.
Significant but meaningful?
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Ethics in Research
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Approval by the IRB.
Informed consent.
Use of deception.
The issues of inducements.
Publishing issues.
Informing research participants about how
the data will be used.
Animal use.
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