SPCE 630 Exam 1 preparation 2023 Verified
applied research
involves systematic investigation related to the pursuit of knowledge in practical realms
or to solve real world problems.
independent variable
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
dependent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the
independent variable.
Skinner and Bijou
through their work, a system of behavior analysis has been developed that includes a
philosophy of behavior development, a general theory, methods for translating theory
into practice, and a specific research methodology.
internal validity
a study with adequate mechanisms for ensuring that outcomes are related to your
intervention procedures rather than extraneous factors is said to have this.
experimental control
studies with high levels of internal validity allow researchers to demonstrate this-- to
show that the experimental procedures (intervention) and only the experimental
procedures are responsible for behavior change.
functional relation
when experimental control is demonstrated, we have verified that there is this between
the independent and dependent variables. The chance in the dependent behavior is
causally related to the implementation of the independent variable
evidence-based practice
refers to intervention procedures that have been scientifically verified as being effective
for changing a specific behavior of interest, under given conditions, and for particular
participants.
Horner et al. (2005) definition of practice
Horner et al defined this as it relates to education as a "curriculum, behavioral
intervention, systems change, or educational approach designed to be used by families,
educators, or students with the express expectation that implementation will result in
measurable educational, social, behavioral, or physical benefit.
what constitutes evidence that supports implementation of a particular practice?
the research question should determine the research method (group, single case, or
qualitative) and design chosen. credibility of research findings is based on the rigor of
the scientific method employed and the extent to which the research design controls for
alternative explanations.
reliability
Ability of a test to yield very similar scores for the same individual over repeated testings
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
The US department of education's institute of education sciences established this,
which informs stakeholders by providing a source of information regarding scientific
evidence of effectiveness for education practices that could be used to encourage
making informed and data based decisions and in turn improve child outcomes.
,experimental studies
include descriptions of the target behavior/s b) predictions regarding what impact the
independent variable will have on the dependent variable, and c) appropriate tests to
see if the prediction is correct.
what differentness an experimental design study from a quasi-experimental
design study
the extent to which the design controls for threats to internal validity- variables other
than the planned independent variable that could result in changes in the dependent
variable
threats to internal validity
History
Maturation
Testing
Instrumentation
Diffusion of treatment
Regression towards the mean
Selection bias
Attrition
variables other than the planned independent variable that could result in changes in
the dependent variable.
experimental group design studies
participants are randomly assigned to a study condition (experimental group or control
group; intervention A or intervention B)
if the prediction proves true, it is said there is a functional relationship between
independent and dependent variables
quasi experimental group design studies
do not use random assignment of participants but other strategies to control for
differences in study group composition
SCD
this can be experimental, but randomization of participants is neither feasible.
randomization only functions to control for differences between groups when the
numbers of participants is very large (N = 50 or greater)
correlational design studies
like experimental and quasi-experimental design studies, predict and describe the
relation between independent and dependent variables; in these studies, there is no
manipulation of the independent variable by the investigator. such studies represent a
quantitative descriptive research approach in which the relation between variables is
established by using a correlation coefficient
practices supported by correlational evidence are deemed less trustworthy than those
supported by experimental and quasi studies.
nomothetic
, research approaches are generally based in the natural sciences and are characterized
by attempting to explain associations that can be generalized to a group given certain
characteristics
idiographic
approaches to research, common in the humanities, attempt to specify associations that
vary based on certain characteristics or contingencies present for the participant or case
of interest
characteristics of group design
large number of individuals are divided and assigned to one of two or more study
conditions. the study includes a control condition, in which participants are not exposed
to the independent variable, and treatment condition, in which participants are exposed
to the independent variable. participants can also be divided into two treatment groups.
in some of these studies, more than two conditions can be compared.
critical component to consider when evaluating a group design study is how participants
are assigned to study conditions. the optimal method is random assignment of
participants (experimental study), but this is not always possible.
fundamentals of group design, experimental, and quasi
it is fundamental that groups of participants assigned to each study condition are
equivalent on key characteristics or status variables (age, gender, ethnicity, etc). at the
start of the group study.
group research approach
most common research methodology used in some areas of behavioral science. these
are well suited for large scale efficacy studies or clinical trials in which a researcher's
interest is in describing whether a practice or policy with a specific population, on
average, will be effective
qualitative research
refers to a number of descriptive research approaches that investigate the quality of
relationships, activities, situations, or materials.
case study approach
entails an in depth and detailed description of one or more cases, while ethnography
refers to the study of culture, and phenomenology is the study of people's reactions and
perceptions of a particular event or situation
qualitative research
researchers who use this approach collect data and describe themes or trends in the
data without offering a theory, an approach known as inductive analysis
studies using this and SCDs are similar.
position of researcher as an insider who has close personal contact with participants
and who is both the data collector and data analyst.
inductive analysis
is the discovery and development of theory as they emerge from qualitative data.
validity
the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
applied research
involves systematic investigation related to the pursuit of knowledge in practical realms
or to solve real world problems.
independent variable
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
dependent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the
independent variable.
Skinner and Bijou
through their work, a system of behavior analysis has been developed that includes a
philosophy of behavior development, a general theory, methods for translating theory
into practice, and a specific research methodology.
internal validity
a study with adequate mechanisms for ensuring that outcomes are related to your
intervention procedures rather than extraneous factors is said to have this.
experimental control
studies with high levels of internal validity allow researchers to demonstrate this-- to
show that the experimental procedures (intervention) and only the experimental
procedures are responsible for behavior change.
functional relation
when experimental control is demonstrated, we have verified that there is this between
the independent and dependent variables. The chance in the dependent behavior is
causally related to the implementation of the independent variable
evidence-based practice
refers to intervention procedures that have been scientifically verified as being effective
for changing a specific behavior of interest, under given conditions, and for particular
participants.
Horner et al. (2005) definition of practice
Horner et al defined this as it relates to education as a "curriculum, behavioral
intervention, systems change, or educational approach designed to be used by families,
educators, or students with the express expectation that implementation will result in
measurable educational, social, behavioral, or physical benefit.
what constitutes evidence that supports implementation of a particular practice?
the research question should determine the research method (group, single case, or
qualitative) and design chosen. credibility of research findings is based on the rigor of
the scientific method employed and the extent to which the research design controls for
alternative explanations.
reliability
Ability of a test to yield very similar scores for the same individual over repeated testings
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
The US department of education's institute of education sciences established this,
which informs stakeholders by providing a source of information regarding scientific
evidence of effectiveness for education practices that could be used to encourage
making informed and data based decisions and in turn improve child outcomes.
,experimental studies
include descriptions of the target behavior/s b) predictions regarding what impact the
independent variable will have on the dependent variable, and c) appropriate tests to
see if the prediction is correct.
what differentness an experimental design study from a quasi-experimental
design study
the extent to which the design controls for threats to internal validity- variables other
than the planned independent variable that could result in changes in the dependent
variable
threats to internal validity
History
Maturation
Testing
Instrumentation
Diffusion of treatment
Regression towards the mean
Selection bias
Attrition
variables other than the planned independent variable that could result in changes in
the dependent variable.
experimental group design studies
participants are randomly assigned to a study condition (experimental group or control
group; intervention A or intervention B)
if the prediction proves true, it is said there is a functional relationship between
independent and dependent variables
quasi experimental group design studies
do not use random assignment of participants but other strategies to control for
differences in study group composition
SCD
this can be experimental, but randomization of participants is neither feasible.
randomization only functions to control for differences between groups when the
numbers of participants is very large (N = 50 or greater)
correlational design studies
like experimental and quasi-experimental design studies, predict and describe the
relation between independent and dependent variables; in these studies, there is no
manipulation of the independent variable by the investigator. such studies represent a
quantitative descriptive research approach in which the relation between variables is
established by using a correlation coefficient
practices supported by correlational evidence are deemed less trustworthy than those
supported by experimental and quasi studies.
nomothetic
, research approaches are generally based in the natural sciences and are characterized
by attempting to explain associations that can be generalized to a group given certain
characteristics
idiographic
approaches to research, common in the humanities, attempt to specify associations that
vary based on certain characteristics or contingencies present for the participant or case
of interest
characteristics of group design
large number of individuals are divided and assigned to one of two or more study
conditions. the study includes a control condition, in which participants are not exposed
to the independent variable, and treatment condition, in which participants are exposed
to the independent variable. participants can also be divided into two treatment groups.
in some of these studies, more than two conditions can be compared.
critical component to consider when evaluating a group design study is how participants
are assigned to study conditions. the optimal method is random assignment of
participants (experimental study), but this is not always possible.
fundamentals of group design, experimental, and quasi
it is fundamental that groups of participants assigned to each study condition are
equivalent on key characteristics or status variables (age, gender, ethnicity, etc). at the
start of the group study.
group research approach
most common research methodology used in some areas of behavioral science. these
are well suited for large scale efficacy studies or clinical trials in which a researcher's
interest is in describing whether a practice or policy with a specific population, on
average, will be effective
qualitative research
refers to a number of descriptive research approaches that investigate the quality of
relationships, activities, situations, or materials.
case study approach
entails an in depth and detailed description of one or more cases, while ethnography
refers to the study of culture, and phenomenology is the study of people's reactions and
perceptions of a particular event or situation
qualitative research
researchers who use this approach collect data and describe themes or trends in the
data without offering a theory, an approach known as inductive analysis
studies using this and SCDs are similar.
position of researcher as an insider who has close personal contact with participants
and who is both the data collector and data analyst.
inductive analysis
is the discovery and development of theory as they emerge from qualitative data.
validity
the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
