1. Week 3 Research Method in Abnormal Psychology

2. Scientific Study Systematic attempts to test our assumptions based on the following steps: 1. Formulating research questions 2. Framing the research question in the form of hypothesis 3. Testing the hypothesis 4. Drawing conclusion about the hypothesis

3. Naturalistic Observation Method  Used to observe behavior in the field where it happens  Unobtrusive – to prevent any interference with the behavior they observe  Information on how subjects behave not necessarily reveal why they do so  ethical issues

4. Correlation  Relationship between two factors or variables  Positive relationship when one variable increases, second variable also increases  Negative relationship when one variable decreases, second variable increases or reverse

5. Longitudinal Study  Subjects are studied at periodic intervals over lengthy periods of time

6. Experimental Method  To uncover cause and affect relationships by manipulating possible causal factors directly  Independent variable vs dependent variable  Experimental group vs control group

7.  Experimental validity - Internal Validity when the observed changes in the dependent variable (s) can be casually related to independent variable - External Validity generalizability @ applicability of the results of an experimental study to other subjects, setting and time. - Construct Validity the treatment effects can be accounted for by the theoretical mechanisms or constructs that are represented in the independent variable

8. Epidemiological Method  Studies the rates of occurrence of abnormal behavior in various setting and time eg. survey method  Incidence – the number of new cases of a disorder occurring during a specific period of time  Prevalence – overall number of cases of a disorder existing in the population during a given period of time

9. Kinship Studies  Attempt to explain the contributions of environment and heredity.  The more closely people are related, the more genes they have in common  Twin studies (identical and fraternal twin)  Adoptee studies

10. Case Study Method  Intensive studies of an individual or a small group of peoples  Types of case studies method  Single-case experimental design  A – B – A –B designs