Research Design in Clinical Psychology

1. Research Design in Clinical Psychology Lecture 1 Introduction to Methodology (Chapters 1 & 5 in Kazdin)

2. Five Major Themes • Methodology… • is a way of thinking, problem solving, and approaching substantive questions • is not separable from content • is not just a tool, but also shapes ideas • is not static – it evolves in each field its used • is in the eye of the beholder

3. Definitions • Methodology • Diverse principles, procedures, and practices that govern research • Relationships (causal vs correlational) among variables • Research Design • The plan or arrangement used to examine the question of interest

4. Key Features of Methodology • Parsimony • Select the simplest explanation of the data • Plausible Rival • Can other hypotheses be used to explain data • Findings vs. conclusions

6. Research Design in Clinical Psychology Selecting the Research Problem (Chapter 5 in Kazdin)

7. Research Focus (pg. 113) • Curiosity • Single case observations • Special populations, Exceptions, and Subtypes • Extending and translating findings • Measurement development and evaluation • Resolving specific issue from previous research • Extending DV or outcome • Extending external validity • Studying moderators and mediators • Testing theory

8. Levels of Understand • Moving from description to explanation • Interaction of theory and data • Key concepts • Relationship among variables • Influencing relationship among variables • Mechanism of action • Affect outcome

9. Relationship among variables • Correlate • Relationship b/n 2 variables with no evidence of causation or that one precedes other • Risk factor • Relationship b/n 2 variables where time sequence known, but still no evidence of causation • Cause • One variable directly leads to an effect in another variable; influence can be direct or indirect

10. What factors influence the direction and/or magnitude of the relationship? • Moderator • It is a variable that directly influences the relationship b/n 2 variables

11. Through what process or mechanism does the phenomena work? • Mediator • Understanding the mechanism through which a variable influences/affects a second variable

12. Can we control or alter the outcome? • Prevention • Intervention

13. Who’s at the Wheel? • Data driven (Dust-bowl empiricism) • Theory-driven

14. Traits of a Scientific Theory • According to NSA, a truly scientific theory must: • be consistent with the observational and experimental evidence • be able to make accurate predictions • be logical and respect the rules of evidence • give a public reporting of its methods and procedures • be open to criticism and revision • Some scientific theories are better that others • A good scientific theory: • Is well substantiated (reliable) and explains a large body of evidence (heuristic) • Is based on thorough, objective investigation • Can make useful predictions • A bad scientific theory has: • Little or no evidence • Poor investigation of evidence • Subjective interpretation of evidence

15. Qualities of Theory (shorthand) • Public • Objective and Measurable • Testable and Falsifiable • Reliable • Has Heuristic Value

16. Selecting constructs of interest

17. Operationalizing concepts • Pin down exactly what the construct of interest is. • Positives • Specificity • Allows for quantification of construct and testibility • Negatives • May oversimplify construct • May include irrelevant features • Often uses single measure for definition

18. Multiple Operators • Given limitations of ODs, may use multiple measures to operationalize construct • Together measures form latent construct • Can measure relationship of measures with each other to determine the extent to which they measure a latent construct • Allows for multi-method, multi-mode assessment • If agreement, adds confidence in construct • If no agreement, decisions must be made

19. Selecting variables of interest • Environmental/Situational Variables • Instructional Variables • Subject/Individual Difference Variables

20. Types of Research Areas • Basic Research • Research aimed at elucidating basic processes • Focus is knowledge for own sake and clinical application does not drive research • Basic methodologies with a focus on internal validity • Applied/Clinical Research • Research aimed at clinical application – now • Emphasis towards external and ecological validity

21. Types of Clinical Research • True Experiment • IV manipulated • Random assignment into any grouping • Equal chance of being in any group • Ex. Randominzed clinical trial • Quasi Experiment • IV manipulated • Random assignment not possible • Case-Controlled • No IV manipulated; Focus on comparing a type of individual vs those not fitting the type

22. Conditions of Experimentation • Laboratory vs applied • Level of control • Real-world applicability • Analogue vs clinical • Basic process and actual clinical presentation • Efficacy vs effectiveness • Results under best possible circumstances and results in the real world

23. Translational Research • Laboratory research with a focus on elucidating basic processes, but aimed at answering important clinical questions with clear assessment and treatment implications • a priori basis • Willingness to start simple and work towards more complex goals • Guided by clinical question • Begin with basic methodologies • Over time, increase ecological validity & generalizability • Finally, integrate findings into assessment and treatment

24. Research Time Frame • Cross-sectional • Longitudinal