Experimental Methodology

by Christensen, Larry B.

• ISBN13: 9780205308323
• ISBN10: 0205308325
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

An introduction to the basic principles of psychological research (both experimental and non-experimental) with new coverage of qualitative research. Known for its readability, Experimental Methodology is organized so that each chapter focuses on a specific step in the research process. The primary orientation of this text is toward providing instruction in the experimental approach, but an introduction to non-experimental approaches such as ex-post facto research, correlational research, and survey research is provided. Rather than dichotomizing psychological research into descriptive and experimental research, this edition takes the more current approach of using the quantitative and qualitative research dichotomy, presented in Chapter 2. Christensen also contains strong coverage of research ethics. Experimental Methodology can be accompanied by a lab manual.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
What Is Science?	1	(29)
Learning Objectives	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(1)
Methods of Acquiring Knowledge	4	(6)
Science	10	(3)
Advantage of the Scientific Method	13	(1)
Characteristics of the Scientific Approach	13	(5)
Objectives of Science	18	(2)
Basic Assumptions Underlying Science	20	(2)
Method versus Technique	22	(2)
The Role of Theory in Science	24	(1)
The Role of the Scientist in Science	25	(5)
Summary	27	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	28	(2)
Nonexperimental Research Approaches	30	(30)
Learning Objectives	30	(2)
Introduction	32	(1)
Nonexperimental Quantitative Research	33	(17)
Qualitative Research	50	(10)
Summary	58	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	59	(1)
The Experimental Research Approach	60	(16)
Learning Objectives	60	(1)
Introduction	61	(1)
Causation	62	(4)
The Psychological Experiment	66	(6)
Experimental Research Settings	72	(4)
Summary	74	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	75	(1)
Problem Identification and Hypothesis Formation	76	(24)
Learning Objectives	76	(2)
Introduction	78	(1)
Sources of Research Ideas	78	(4)
Gender Bias in Research Ideas	82	(1)
Ideas Not Capable of Scientific Investigation	83	(1)
Review of the Literature	83	(10)
Feasibility of the Study	93	(1)
Formulating the Research Problem	94	(1)
Formulating Hypotheses	95	(5)
Summary	98	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	98	(2)
Ethics	100	(43)
Learning Objectives	100	(2)
Introduction	102	(1)
Research Ethics: What Are They?	103	(5)
Ethical Dilemmas	108	(5)
Development of the APA Code of Ethics	113	(1)
Ethical Principles	114	(9)
Issues Raised by the Code of Ethics	123	(11)
Ethics of Animal Research	134	(9)
Summary	141	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	142	(1)
Variables Used in Experimentation	143	(27)
Learning Objectives	143	(1)
Introduction	144	(1)
Types of Variables	145	(1)
The Independent Variable	146	(14)
The Dependent Variable	160	(10)
Summary	168	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	169	(1)
Control in Experimentation	170	(25)
Learning Objectives	170	(1)
Introduction	171	(2)
Control of Extraneous Variables	173	(1)
Extraneous Variables to be Controlled	174	(7)
Research Participant and Experimenter Effects to Be Controlled	181	(10)
Sequencing Effect to Be Controlled	191	(1)
Additional Extraneous Variables to Be Held Constant	192	(3)
Summary	193	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	194	(1)
Techniques for Achieving Constancy	195	(36)
Learning Objectives	195	(2)
Introduction	197	(1)
Randomization	197	(6)
Matching	203	(9)
Counterbalancing	212	(6)
Control of Participant Effects	218	(5)
Control of Experimenter Effects	223	(5)
Likelihood of Achieving Control	228	(3)
Summary	228	(2)
Key Terms and Concepts	230	(1)
Experimental Research Design	231	(29)
Learning Objectives	231	(2)
Introduction	233	(1)
Faulty Research Design	234	(4)
Requirements of True Research Designs	238	(2)
Pretesting Participants	240	(2)
True Research Designs	242	(14)
Choice of a Research Design	256	(4)
Summary	258	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	259	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	260	(1)
Learning Objectives	260	(2)
Introduction	262	(1)
Nonequivalent Control Group Design	263	(8)
Time-Series Design	271
Summary	276	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	276
Single-Case Research Designs	260	(44)
Learning Objectives	277	(2)
Introduction	279	(2)
Single-Case Designs	281	(1)
A-B-A Design	282	(4)
Interaction Design	286	(4)
Multiple-Baseline Design	290	(4)
Changing-Criterion Design	294	(2)
Methodological Considerations in Using Single-Case Designs	296	(3)
Criteria for Evaluating Change	299	(2)
Rival Hypotheses	301	(3)
Summary	302	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	303	(1)
Data Collection	304	(21)
Learning Objectives	304	(2)
Introduction	306	(1)
Research Participants	306	(3)
Sample Size	309	(2)
Apparatus	311	(3)
Instructions	314	(1)
Scheduling of Research Participants	314	(1)
Procedure	315	(2)
Institutional Approval	317	(1)
Data Collection	318	(1)
Consent to Participate	318	(2)
Debriefing, or Postexperimental Interview	320	(5)
Summary	323	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	324	(1)
Hypothesis Testing	325	(33)
Learning Objectives	325	(2)
Introduction	327	(1)
Testing the Hypothesis	328	(1)
The Mean	329	(1)
Standard Deviation	330	(2)
Selection of a Statistical Test	332	(2)
Independent Samples t-Test	334	(1)
Significance Level	335	(3)
Analysis of Variance	338	(16)
Potential Errors in the Statistical Decision-Making Process	354	(4)
Summary	356	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	357	(1)
External Validity	358	(18)
Learning Objectives	358	(2)
Introduction	360	(1)
Population Validity	360	(4)
Ecological Validity	364	(3)
Temporal Validity	367	(3)
Relationship Between Internal and External Validity	370	(1)
Cautions in Evaluating the External Validity of Experiments	371	(5)
Summary	374	(1)
Key Terms and Concepts	375	(1)
The Research Report	376	(43)
Learning Objectives	376	(1)
Introduction	377	(2)
The APA Format	379	(28)
Preparation of the Research Report	407	(12)
Appendixes	419	(6)
References	425	(20)
Index	445