Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences Exam Questions and Correct Answers Latest Update (100% Pass)

Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences Exam Questions and Correct Answers Latest Update (100% Pass) Single-subject designs, or single-case designs - Answers Experimental research designs that use the results from a single participant or subject to establish the existence of a a cause-and-effect relationship. Phase - Answers A single subject research design, a series of observation of the same individual under the same conditions. Baseline observations - Answers In a single-subject research study, observations or measurements made while no treatment is being administered. Baseline phase - Answers In a single-subject research study, a series of baseline observations identified by the letter A. Treatment observations - Answers In a single-subject research study, observations or measurements made while a treatment is being administered. Treatment phase - Answers In a single-subject research study, a series of treatment observations identified by the letter B. Level - Answers In a single-subject research study, the overall magnitude for a series of observations. A consistent level occurs when measurements in a series are all approximately the same magnitude. Trend - Answers In a single-subject research study, a consistent difference in direction and magnitude from one measurement to the next series. Stability - Answers The degree to which a series of observations shows a consistent level or trend. Phase change - Answers In a single-subjects research study, a change in the conditions from one phase to another, usually involving administrating or stopping a treatment. ABAB design, or reversal design - Answers A single-subject experimental design consisting or four phases: a baseline phase, a treatment phase, a return to baseline phase, and a second treatment phase. Also known as a reversal design. Multiple-baseline design - Answers A single-subject design that begins with two simultaneous baseline phases, then initiates a treatment for one baseline, and, at a later time, initiates the treatment for a second baseline. Multiple-baseline across subjects - Answers A multiple-baseline design in which the initial baseline phases correspond to the same behavior for two separate participants. Multiple-baseline across behaviors - Answers A multiple-baseline design in which the initial baseline phases correspond to two separate behaviors for the same participant. Multiple-baseline across situations - Answers A multiple-baseline design in which the initial baseline phases correspond to the same behavior in two separate situations. Dismantling design, or component-analysis design - Answers A single-subject design consisting of a series of phases in which each phase adds or subtracts one component of a complex treatment. Changing-criterion design - Answers A single subject design consisting of a series of phases, each phase defined by a specific criterion that determines a target level of behavior. The criterion level is changed from one phase to the next. Alternating-treatments design, or discrete-trials design - Answers A single-subject design in which two (or more) treatment conditions are randomly alternated from one observation to the next. Also known as a discrete-trials design. Observational research design - Answers Descriptive research in which the researcher observes and systematically records the behavior of individuals to describe the behavior. Correlational research strategy - Answers A general approach to research that involves measuring two or more variables for each individual to describe the relationship between the variables. The measurements are reviewed to identify any patterns of relationship the exist between the variables and to measure the strength of the relationship; however, no attempt is made to to explain the relationship. Factor - Answers A variable that differentiates a set of groups or conditions being compared in a research study. In an experimental design, a factor is an independent variable. nonexperimental research strategy - Answers A research strategy that attempts to demonstrate a relationship between two variables by comparing different groups of scores, but makes no attempt to minimize threats to internal validity or to explain the relationship. between-subjects experimental design, or independent-measures experimental design - Answers An experimental design using a separate group of individuals for each treatment condition being compared. experimental research strategy - Answers A research strategy that attempts to establish the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables by manipulating one variable while measuring the second variable and controlling all other variables. within-subjects experimental design or repeated-measures experimental design - Answers An experimental design in which the same group of individuals participates in all of the different treatment conditions. Factorial design - Answers A research design that includes two or more factors. Positive relationship - Answers A relationship in which the two variables or measurements tend to change together in the same direction. Content analysis - Answers Using the techniques of behavioral observation to measure the occurrence of specific events in literature, movies, television programs, or similar media that present replicas of behaviors. quasi-experimental research strategy - Answers A research strategy that attempts to limit threats to internal validity and produce cause-and-effect conclusions (like an experiment), but lacks one of the critical components—either manipulation or control—that is necessary for a true experiment. Typically compares groups or conditions that are defined with a nonmanipulated variable. individual differences - Answers Characteristics that differ from one participant to another. history - Answers A threat to internal validity from any outside event that influences the participant's scores in one treatment differently than in another treatment. experiment, or true experiment - Answers A study that attempts to show that changes in one variable are directly responsible for causing changes in a second variable. Also known as a true experiment. independent variable - Answers In an experiment, the variable manipulated by the researcher. In behavioral research, the independent variable usually consists of two or more treatment conditions to which participants are exposed. maturation - Answers A threat to internal validity from any physiological changes that occur in a participant during the time that research study is being conducted and that can influence the participants scores.