Abnormal Psychology
Basic Components of a Research Study
1. Hypothesis - an educated guess
2. Research Design - the plan for testing the hypothesis; affected by the question addressed,
by the hypothesis, and by practical considerations
a. Dependent Variable - aspects you want to measure in the people you are studying;
some aspect of the phenomenon that is measured and is expected to be changed or
influenced by the independent variable
b. Independent Variable - the influences on these characteristics or behaviors; the
aspect manipulated or thought to influence the change in the dependent variable
3. Internal Validity - the extent to which you can be confident that the independent variable is
causing the dependent variable to change; the extent to which the results of the study can be
attributed to the independent variable
4. External Validity - refers to how well the results relate to things outside your study—in other
words, how well your findings describe similar individuals who were not among the study
participants; the extent to which the results of the study can be generalized or applied
outside the immediate study
5. Testability - the ability to support the hypothesis
Internal and External Validity
Internal and External Validity
6. Confound (or Confounding Variable) - defined as any factor occurring in a study that makes
the results uninterpretable because a variable other than the independent variable may also
affect the dependent variable (scores on cognitive abilities)
7. Control Group - a group not exposed to the independent variable; help rule out alternative
explanations for results, thereby strengthening internal validity
8. Randomization - the process of assigning people to different research groups in such a way
that each person has an equal chance of being placed in any group
9. Analogue Models - create aspects that are comparable (analogous) to the phenomenon
under study
10. Generalizability - the extent to which results apply to everyone in a certain population
Statistical vs Clinical Significance
11. Statistical Significance - a mathematical calculation about the difference between groups
12. Clinical Significance - whether or not the difference was meaningful for those affected
13. Effect Size - methods that address not just that groups are different but also how large these
differences are
● Social validity - This technique involves obtaining input from the person being treated, as well
as from significant others, about the importance of the changes that has occurred
14. Patient Uniformity Myth - seeing all participants as one homogeneous group
Research Methods
15. Case Study Method - investigating intensively one or more individuals who display the
behavioral and physical patterns
Basic Components of a Research Study
1. Hypothesis - an educated guess
2. Research Design - the plan for testing the hypothesis; affected by the question addressed,
by the hypothesis, and by practical considerations
a. Dependent Variable - aspects you want to measure in the people you are studying;
some aspect of the phenomenon that is measured and is expected to be changed or
influenced by the independent variable
b. Independent Variable - the influences on these characteristics or behaviors; the
aspect manipulated or thought to influence the change in the dependent variable
3. Internal Validity - the extent to which you can be confident that the independent variable is
causing the dependent variable to change; the extent to which the results of the study can be
attributed to the independent variable
4. External Validity - refers to how well the results relate to things outside your study—in other
words, how well your findings describe similar individuals who were not among the study
participants; the extent to which the results of the study can be generalized or applied
outside the immediate study
5. Testability - the ability to support the hypothesis
Internal and External Validity
Internal and External Validity
6. Confound (or Confounding Variable) - defined as any factor occurring in a study that makes
the results uninterpretable because a variable other than the independent variable may also
affect the dependent variable (scores on cognitive abilities)
7. Control Group - a group not exposed to the independent variable; help rule out alternative
explanations for results, thereby strengthening internal validity
8. Randomization - the process of assigning people to different research groups in such a way
that each person has an equal chance of being placed in any group
9. Analogue Models - create aspects that are comparable (analogous) to the phenomenon
under study
10. Generalizability - the extent to which results apply to everyone in a certain population
Statistical vs Clinical Significance
11. Statistical Significance - a mathematical calculation about the difference between groups
12. Clinical Significance - whether or not the difference was meaningful for those affected
13. Effect Size - methods that address not just that groups are different but also how large these
differences are
● Social validity - This technique involves obtaining input from the person being treated, as well
as from significant others, about the importance of the changes that has occurred
14. Patient Uniformity Myth - seeing all participants as one homogeneous group
Research Methods
15. Case Study Method - investigating intensively one or more individuals who display the
behavioral and physical patterns
