Stress Research

1
Stress Research

• Logic, Design, and Process

2
4 Ways of Thinking

• Formalistic A or B
• Mechanistic A causes only B
• Contextual Perception looms relational,
  multi-causal
• Organistic systems, interrelated causalities and
  reactions.

3
Research Vocabulary

• Proximal causes acute episodes.
• Distal causes remote disturbances appearing
  again.
• Precipitating factors immediate response
  provoking events.
• Predisposing factors biological-genetic factors.

4
Research Variables

• Independent treatment condition, cause,
  environmental stimulus.
• Dependent behavior, effect.
• Goal is to try to establish a link between IV
  and DV to generalize to a larger population.

5
Assessment Issues

• 1 Use a standardized test.
• Problems?
• Advantages?
• 2 Create your own test.
• Problems?
• Advantages?

6
Accuracy

• Validity measures what was set out to be
  measured.
• Reliability consistently measures the same
  aspect with the same results.
• Test-retest same test two different times.
• Alternate-forms two different tests.
• Split-half two scores from same test.

7
Credibility ? Validity

• Content Validity test content is correct for
  behavior to be measured. Not a statistical test,
  rather an expertise based decision. (Experts
  determine).
• Face Validity basic, laymens logic to determine
  if test seems right for behavior.
• Criterion-related Validity comparing test
  outcome to alternate source of data.
• Construct Validity we are measuring exactly what
  we say we are measuring.

8
Types of Studies

• Case Studies
• Great depth, low number, generally used for very
  small, specific, unique populations.
• Field Studies
• Survey good vs. bad?
• Ex-Post-Facto used for events that are either
  unethical to produce or unpredictable.
• Ecological Momentary Assessment idea is to
  monitor events in their own environment.

9
Types of Studies

• Correlational Designs
• Looking for patterns to research further.
• Correlation doesnt imply causation.
• Cant be causation with correlation.
• Single-Subject, Baseline Reversal
• Baseline phase and then treatment phase.

10
Types of Studies

• Pre-Post Designs
• Control groups?
• Placebo effect?
• Attention-Placebo control do something but not
  the same treatment as is given to the treatment
  group.
• Factorial Designs utilizing more than 1 IV.

11
Types of Studies

• Groups of groups.
• Within-subjects observations made on same group
  but at different times.
• Between groups two distinct groups with two
  distinct treatments.
• Mixed Design is the combination of both.

12
Types of Studies

• Meta-analysis
• Examines previous research on a given topic.
• A compilation or greatest hits of sorts.
• Greatest limitation is the studies being
  reviewed.
• Be mindful of how the author portrays qualitative
  and quantitative research.