Evaluating Research In Communicative Disorders

by Schiavetti, Nicholas; Metz, Dale Evan; Orlikoff, Robert F.

• ISBN13: 9780205449613
• ISBN10: 0205449611
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

The Fifth Edition ofEvaluating Research in Communicative Disordersexplains and discusses how to read, understand, and evaluate research published in communicative sciences and disorders journals.Organized into three parts, the careful organization of material aids understanding. Part I introduces the basic principles for evaluating research, Part II contains excerpts from journal articles, and Part III presents two complete articles and an evaluation checklist to guide the student in the evaluation process.The text incorporates numerous examples from current research to illustrate and clarify points made throughout. The book is richly illustrated with tables and figures and includes many study questions to lead students through primary sources in the research literature. New material can be found throughout this edition, particularly in the areas of research basis for evidence-based practice, effect size, levels of evidence, phases of clinical trials, and research integrity. Part II contains numerous updated research examples, keeping the text current & competitive.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
PART I Basic Considerations in Evaluating Research	1	(214)
Overview	1	(2)
References	3	(2)
The Consumer of Research in Communicative Disorders	5	(20)
Research-Practice Relationships in Communicative Disorders	6	(5)
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)	8	(1)
Knowledge Acquisition	9	(2)
Scientific Method	11	(2)
Theory Construction in Behavioral Science	13	(1)
Common Steps in Behavioral Science Research	14	(3)
Statement of the Problem	14	(1)
Method of Investigation	15	(1)
Results of Investigation	15	(1)
Conclusions	16	(1)
The Nature of Research in Communicative Disorders	17	(1)
Research Ethics	18	(1)
The Editorial Process in the Publication of a Research Article	19	(1)
Some Myths and a Caveat	20	(2)
Study Questions	22	(1)
References	23	(2)
Research Strategies in Communicative Disorders	25	(57)
Variables in Empirical Research	25	(7)
Independent and Dependent Variables	26	(3)
Active and Attribute Variables	29	(1)
Continuous and Categorical Variables	30	(2)
Experimental Research	32	(16)
Bivalent Experiments	33	(4)
Multivalent Experiments	37	(3)
Parametric Experiments	40	(8)
Descriptive Research	48	(23)
Comparative Research	51	(7)
Developmental Research	58	(6)
Correlational Research	64	(4)
Survey Research	68	(1)
Retrospective Research	69	(2)
Combined Experimental and Descriptive Research	71	(6)
Study Questions	77	(2)
References	79	(3)
Research Design in Communicative Disorders	82	(27)
Meaning of Research Design	82	(1)
Purposes of Research Design	83	(1)
General Research Design Principles	84	(1)
Group Research Designs	84	(10)
Between-Subjects Designs	84	(7)
Within-Subjects Designs	91	(2)
Mixed Designs	93	(1)
Single-Subject Research Designs	94	(5)
External Validity Issues in Research Design	99	(7)
Study Questions	106	(2)
References	108	(1)
Measurement Issues in Communicative Disorders Research	109	(22)
Definition of Measurement	111	(1)
Levels of Measurement	112	(3)
Nominal Level of Measurement	112	(2)
Ordinal Level of Measurement	114	(1)
Interval Level of Measurement	114	(1)
Ratio Level of Measurement	115	(1)
Factors That Affect Quality of Measurement	115	(3)
Test Environment	116	(1)
Instrument Calibration	116	(1)
Instructions to Participants	116	(1)
Observer Bias	117	(1)
Reliability of Measurements	118	(6)
Stability	120	(1)
Equivalence	120	(1)
Internal Consistency	121	(3)
Validity of Measurements	124	(3)
Content Validity	124	(1)
Criterion Validity	125	(1)
Construct Validity	126	(1)
Study Questions	127	(2)
References	129	(2)
Evaluating Treatment Efficacy Research	131	(40)
Internal Validity and Factors That Affect It	139	(7)
History	140	(1)
Maturation	140	(1)
Reactive Pretest	141	(1)
Instrumentation	142	(1)
Statistical Regression	143	(1)
Differential Subject-Selection	144	(1)
Mortality	144	(1)
Interaction of Factors	145	(1)
External Validity and Factors That Affect It	146	(3)
Subject-Selection	146	(1)
Interactive Pretest	147	(1)
Reactive Arrangements	148	(1)
Multiple-Treatment Interference	149	(1)
Evaluation of Some Experimental Designs for Studying Treatment Efficacy	149	(17)
Weak Designs	149	(4)
Stronger Designs	153	(7)
Meta-Analysis of Treatment Efficacy Research	160	(2)
Ethics of Using Control Groups in Treatment Efficacy Research	162	(2)
Protection of Human Participants in Research	164	(2)
Study Questions	166	(2)
References	168	(3)
Organization and Analysis of Data	171	(44)
Data Organization	172	(9)
Data Distributions	172	(1)
Tabular and Graphic Presentation	172	(6)
Summary Statistics	178	(3)
Data Analysis	181	(30)
Basic Concepts of Data Analysis	181	(7)
Methods for Analyzing Relationships	188	(8)
Methods for Analyzing Differences	196	(13)
Effect Size and the Power of Statistical Tests (Power Analysis)	209	(2)
Study Questions	211	(2)
References	213	(2)
PART II Evaluation of the Components of a Research Article	215	(190)
Overview	215	(1)
Reference	216	(1)
The Introduction Section of the Research Article	217	(22)
Title of the Article	217	(2)
The Abstract	219	(1)
General Statement of the Problem	220	(2)
The Rationale for the Study	222	(9)
Review of the Literature	231	(1)
Statement of Purpose, Research Questions, and Hypotheses	232	(5)
Miscellaneous Considerations	237	(1)
Evaluation Checklist	238	(1)
Reference	238	(1)
The Method Section	239	(76)
Participants	239	(8)
Sample Size	240	(3)
Criteria for Participant Selection	243	(4)
Materials	247	(27)
Hardware Instrumentation and Calibration	248	(8)
Reliability and Validity of Behavioral Instruments	256	(8)
Other Measurement Considerations	264	(10)
Procedures	274	(37)
Within-Subjects Experimental Design	277	(1)
Between-Subjects Experimental Design	278	(4)
Mixed (Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects) Design	282	(3)
Within-Subjects Time-Series Experiment	285	(7)
Between-Subjects Comparative Research	292	(5)
Developmental Research	297	(7)
Correlational Research	304	(1)
Retrospective Research	304	(1)
Survey Research	304	(7)
Evaluation Checklist	311	(2)
References	313	(2)
The Results Section	315	(64)
Organization of Results	315	(15)
Frequency Distribution: Tabular and Graphic Presentations	315	(10)
Summary Statistics: Central Tendency and Variability	325	(5)
Some Characteristics of Clear Data Organization	330	(4)
Analysis of Data	334	(41)
Correlational Analysis	335	(14)
Analysis of Differences	349	(26)
Some Characteristics of Clear Data Analysis	375	(2)
Evaluation Checklist	377	(1)
References	378	(1)
The Discussion and Conclusions Section	379	(26)
Relationship of Conclusions to Preceding Parts of the Article	379	(5)
The Research Problem	379	(1)
The Method of Investigation	380	(1)
The Results of the Investigation	381	(3)
Relationship of Results to Previous Research	384	(6)
Theoretical Implications of the Research	390	(5)
Practical Implications of the Research	395	(1)
Implications for Future Research	396	(7)
Evaluation Checklist	403	(2)
PART III Evaluation of the Complete Research Article: Two Examples	405	(6)
Overview	405	(1)
Evaluation Checklist---Introduction	406	(1)
Evaluation Checklist---Method	406	(2)
Evaluation Checklist---Results	408	(1)
Evaluation Checklist---Discussion	409	(2)
Example Article for Evaluation in Audiology: Auditory Temporal Order Perception in Younger and Older Adults	411	(13)
Peter J. Fitzgibbons
Sandra Gordon-Salant
Example Article for Evaluation in Speech-Language Pathology: Effects of Treatment on Linguistic and Social Skills in Toddlers with Delayed Language Development	424	(22)
Shari Brand Robertson
Susan Ellis Weismer
Appendix: Proclamation of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Health Council	446	(3)
Author Index	449	(8)
Subject Index	457