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1. An operational definition helps the researcher maintain both internal and external validity. The researcher clearly defines terms, and shows how each variable is measured. In this way, concepts that are otherwise abstract like intelligence can be operationalized.Intelligence needs to be operationalized because the researcher needs to show what specific type of intelligence is being measured, and how. An operational definition is “the particular method that we use to measure a variable of interest,” beyond the theoretical definitions that can be applied later (“Conducting Research in Social Psychology,” n.d., p. 1). Whereas the theoretical definitions of intelligence can be broad, like “the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge,” operational definitions are narrower in scope because they need to be easily measured (Legg & Hutter, 2006, p. 2).
For example, if mathematical intelligence is being measured, then an established mathematical skills test needs to be administered to research participants. Social skills intelligence needs to be measured using an established self-report survey or observational parameter. One of the most common operational definitions of intelligence has been performance on an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test. The upside of operational definitions is that they are specific. Operational definitions are also standardized and can be used by more than one researcher, enhancing the external validity of intelligence research. The downside...
For instance, performance on an IQ test cannot be used to predict global intelligence, social skills, or reading intelligence.
Development Change Research Issue Developmental change is a broad topic that incorporate several sub-topics relating to an individual's growth and development. The broad nature of this topic emerges from the fact that its an approach that is geared towards explaining how infants, children, and adults change over a period of time. The process of explaining individuals' developmental changes over time involves examining a wide range of theoretical areas including biological, cognitive,
Although ethical values and principles guide all of the American Psychological Association’s (APA, 2017) ethical codes, there are different ways of interpreting and applying those ethical principles depending on the situation. Clinical and counseling psychologists have different ethical guidelines for their profession. For example, there are different ethical principles related to clients being treated by psychologists in counseling sessions versus the standards for conducting psychological research with human participants. Both
Research Methods Literature Review A literature review on an identified research topic or issue is an important element when conducting a study regardless of whether the study employs qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research design. The significance of conducting a literature review is attributable to the several functions and roles the review plays in the research process. Literature review is crucial when conducting a study because it’s a means of synthesizing
Low, Stanton, Bower & Gyllenhammer (2010) Strengths: All women at Stave IV breast cancer, allows to moderate for stage level differences in psychological processing Random assignment to experimental group Control group also writes, just not expressively and about emotions Based on social constraint theory Used standardized scales for measuring depression and somatic symptoms Took into account time since diagnosis Weaknesses: Short and infrequent writing (4 x 20 minute intervals over a period of 3 weeks) Moderating variables (perceived emotional
Eveland's research design is quasi-experimental. The sample populations for the experiment are not randomly selected. There is structure to the experiment with more than one form of measurement during the research process. Quasi-experimental design includes multiple groups and multiple waves of measurement. While there were not a significant number of groups in the experiment, there was more than one. At more than one point in the experiment, measurements were
The first is that of face validity, which was what, appeared from when looking directly at the design of the study. This appeared superb concept at first, but this was what made the experiment weak. He or she did not rely on this form when the investigation was conducted. However, the content validity worked well with this exploration on domestic violence because many of the participants were empowered to