Readings for Strategies and Tactics of Behavioral Research

by Johnston; J. M.

• ISBN13: 9780805809060
• ISBN10: 0805809066
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1993-03-01
• Publisher: Psychology Pres

Summary

The readings featured in this volume are compiled from the authors' previously published papers and chapters, as well as newly written materials. At a more advanced level, the readings address certain specialized topics. However, these readings are thematically consistent with the chapters in the companion volume, making them especially suitable as supplementary material. Together with its companion volume, it provides an integrated and coherent account of how to study behavior. Most topics treated in traditional research methods texts are covered in detail, with particular reference to behavior as a subject matter. However, the work is distinctive from other texts in that its topics are organized not around inferential statistical methods, but the needs of a behavioral subject matter and the goal of bringing the researcher's behavior under its control. This approach closely integrates each new chapter with previous chapters, and the result is especially intuitive for students.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
The Natural Science of Behavior	p. 1
Reading One: Why Behavior Analysis is a Natural Science	p. 3
Reading Two: The Development of Behavioral Research Methods: Contributions of B. F. Skinner	p. 8
Measurement	p. 19
Reading Three: Traditions of Behavioral Measurement	p. 21
Reading Four: Describing Behavior with Ratios of Count and Time	p. 43
Reading Five: Probability as a Scientific Concept	p. 65
Reading Six: The Problem of Limited Accessibility	p. 68
Design	p. 83
Reading Seven: Traditions of Experimental Design	p. 85
Reading Eight: Pure Versus Quasi-Behavioral Research	p. 98
Reading Nine: Strategic and Tactical Limits of Comparison Studies	p. 119
INTERPRETATION	p. 131
Reading Ten: Measurement Scales and the Description of Behavioral Variability	p. 133
Reading Eleven: Logic, Reasoning, and Verbal Behavior	p. 161
Reading Twelve: On the Relation Between Generalization and Generality	p. 173
Reading Thirteen: Within Subject Versus Between Groups Designs: Comparing Experimental Outcomes	p. 181
References	p. 192
Author Index	p. 199
Subject Index	p. 203
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.