SPCE 630 MIDTERM EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Ch. 1 Research Approaches in Applied SeṄngs
Applied Research
Research is the systematic investigation and manipulation of variables to identify
associations and understand processes that occur in typical contexts
Applied research involves systematic investigation related to the pursuit of knowledge
in practical realms or to solve real-world problems
Applied research is most interested in determining the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
Independent variables are the variables manipulated by researchers
Dependent variables are the variables we expect to change given the manipulation
Advancements of Science and Practice
Applied research focuses on specific problems of learning and reinforcement in schools,
clinics, and communities while also making a direct impact on clients and consumers
Single case designs SCDs) are well suited to answer applied problems that have been
acknowledged for decades
Interventions found to be effective in resource rich controlled settings may not be able
to be carried out at the same level of fidelity thus affecting the outcome of the
intervention
Empirical Verification of Behavior Change
When studies ensure that outcomes are related to your intervention procedures rather
than extraneous factors, the study is said to have internal validity
Experimental control shows that the experimental procedures (intervention) and only
the experimental procedures are responsible for the behavior change
When the change in the dependent variable is causally related to the implementation of
the independent variable, the study is said to have functional relation
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice refers to intervention procedures that have been scientifically
verified as being effective for changing specific behaviors
Practice (as it relates to education) is; “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” (Horner et al., 2005)
The research question should determine the research method (group, single case, or
qualitative) and design chosen
The consistency of defining the target behavior clearly and concisely that way two
observers consistently agree on scoring is known as reliability
Replication is at the heart of the scientific method
Characterizing Designs Based on Attributions of Causality
Experimental studies include:
A) descriptions of target behavior(s)
B) predictions regarding what impact the independent variable will have on the
dependent variable
, C) appropriate tests to see if the prediction is correct
Variables other than the planned independent variable that could result in changes in
the dependent variable are threats to internal validity
Experimental group design studies participants are randomly assigned to a study
condition (e.g., experimental group or control group)
Quasi-experimental group design studies do not use random assignment of participants
but other strategies to control for differences (e.g., counterbalancing techniques or
participant matching; (Fraenkel & Wallen, 2006).
In experimental designs, if the prediction “proves” true it is said there is a functional
relation between the independent and dependent variables
Correlational studies have no manipulation of the independent variable by the
investigator
Characterizing Designs Based on Research Approach
Nomothetic approaches are generally based in natural sciences and are characterized by
attempting to explain associations that can be generalized to a group given certain
characteristics
Idiographic approaches are common in the humanities and attempt to specify
associations that vary based on certain characteristics or contingencies present for the
participants or case of interest
Group Research Approach
It is the fundamental logic that groups of participants assigned to each study condition
are equivalent on “key” characteristics or status variables (e.g., chronological age,
gender, ethnicity, test scores, etc.)
Group comparison design cannot be generalized to the individual
Qualitative Research Approaches
Qualitative research is an “umbrella” term that 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
Ethnography refers to the study of culture, defined as “the customary beliefs, social
forms, and material trails of a racial, religious, or social group” in which the investigator
unobtrusively observes people in their natural setting without an attempt to influence
their behavior or event
Phenomenology is the study of people’s reactions and perceptions of a particular event
or situation
Deductive analysis is when a hypothesis is formulated prior to conducting a study to test
a theory
Inductive analysis is when researches collect data and describe themes or trends in the
data without offering a theory
validity (i.e., accuracy) and reliability (i.e., consistency)
Single Case Research Approach
Single Case Design (SCD) is a quantitative experimental research approach in which
study participants serve as their own control
When participants serve as their own control it is known as baseline logic
SOLUTIONS
Ch. 1 Research Approaches in Applied SeṄngs
Applied Research
Research is the systematic investigation and manipulation of variables to identify
associations and understand processes that occur in typical contexts
Applied research involves systematic investigation related to the pursuit of knowledge
in practical realms or to solve real-world problems
Applied research is most interested in determining the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
Independent variables are the variables manipulated by researchers
Dependent variables are the variables we expect to change given the manipulation
Advancements of Science and Practice
Applied research focuses on specific problems of learning and reinforcement in schools,
clinics, and communities while also making a direct impact on clients and consumers
Single case designs SCDs) are well suited to answer applied problems that have been
acknowledged for decades
Interventions found to be effective in resource rich controlled settings may not be able
to be carried out at the same level of fidelity thus affecting the outcome of the
intervention
Empirical Verification of Behavior Change
When studies ensure that outcomes are related to your intervention procedures rather
than extraneous factors, the study is said to have internal validity
Experimental control shows that the experimental procedures (intervention) and only
the experimental procedures are responsible for the behavior change
When the change in the dependent variable is causally related to the implementation of
the independent variable, the study is said to have functional relation
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice refers to intervention procedures that have been scientifically
verified as being effective for changing specific behaviors
Practice (as it relates to education) is; “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” (Horner et al., 2005)
The research question should determine the research method (group, single case, or
qualitative) and design chosen
The consistency of defining the target behavior clearly and concisely that way two
observers consistently agree on scoring is known as reliability
Replication is at the heart of the scientific method
Characterizing Designs Based on Attributions of Causality
Experimental studies include:
A) descriptions of target behavior(s)
B) predictions regarding what impact the independent variable will have on the
dependent variable
, C) appropriate tests to see if the prediction is correct
Variables other than the planned independent variable that could result in changes in
the dependent variable are threats to internal validity
Experimental group design studies participants are randomly assigned to a study
condition (e.g., experimental group or control group)
Quasi-experimental group design studies do not use random assignment of participants
but other strategies to control for differences (e.g., counterbalancing techniques or
participant matching; (Fraenkel & Wallen, 2006).
In experimental designs, if the prediction “proves” true it is said there is a functional
relation between the independent and dependent variables
Correlational studies have no manipulation of the independent variable by the
investigator
Characterizing Designs Based on Research Approach
Nomothetic approaches are generally based in natural sciences and are characterized by
attempting to explain associations that can be generalized to a group given certain
characteristics
Idiographic approaches are common in the humanities and attempt to specify
associations that vary based on certain characteristics or contingencies present for the
participants or case of interest
Group Research Approach
It is the fundamental logic that groups of participants assigned to each study condition
are equivalent on “key” characteristics or status variables (e.g., chronological age,
gender, ethnicity, test scores, etc.)
Group comparison design cannot be generalized to the individual
Qualitative Research Approaches
Qualitative research is an “umbrella” term that 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
Ethnography refers to the study of culture, defined as “the customary beliefs, social
forms, and material trails of a racial, religious, or social group” in which the investigator
unobtrusively observes people in their natural setting without an attempt to influence
their behavior or event
Phenomenology is the study of people’s reactions and perceptions of a particular event
or situation
Deductive analysis is when a hypothesis is formulated prior to conducting a study to test
a theory
Inductive analysis is when researches collect data and describe themes or trends in the
data without offering a theory
validity (i.e., accuracy) and reliability (i.e., consistency)
Single Case Research Approach
Single Case Design (SCD) is a quantitative experimental research approach in which
study participants serve as their own control
When participants serve as their own control it is known as baseline logic
