Reading & Critiquing Studies and Models of Suicidal Behavior February 9, 2010

How do we know the truth? Authority: truth by tradition or leadership Rationalism: truth by logic, reasoning Intuition: sudden insight, as a whole Scientific method: systematic, objective assessment

What is Science? Science: The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena Science is one way of knowing, and the goal of science is to establish knowledge. Scientific research attempts to simplify the complexity of nature and to isolate a particular phenomenon for careful scrutiny. Most often we want to: –describe phenomena (descriptive research) –understand the relations among variables (observational and experimental research)

How do we know the truth? Hypothetico-Deductive Method Theory: formulation of apparent relationships Hypothesis: specific prediction Results: Data, facts Support (yes/no)? Revise (yes/no)?

Terms of Prediction & Risk Terms used to describe relations among variables (e.g. in regression procedures) can often lead to confusion and invalid inferences. For instance: “Predictor” variables don’t always come before criterion “Causal modeling” techniques do not show cause

Terms used to describe X based on relation between X and Y: Is X associated with Y? Noncorrelate No Yes Correlate Does X precede Y? No Risk Factor Can X be changed? Concomitant / Consequence Fixed Marker Yes Variable Risk Factor Variable Marker Causal Risk Factor Does manipulation of X change Y? No Yes Kramer, Kazdin, Offord, Kessler, Jensen, & Kupfer (1997). Coming to terms with the terms of risk. Archives of General Psychiatry, 54, Y = # of physical fights as an adult X = Height X = # of arrests as adult X = # of physical fights as a child X = family history of fights X = poor problem solving skills

How to Design/Critique a Study INTRODUCTION Purpose and goals of study? –*What is known? –*What is not known? –*How will this study advance knowledge in this area? –Rationale should be clear and theoretically informed –“Story” should be well conceptualized and articulated METHODS Participants? –Who are they? –Why them? –What are inclusion/exclusion criteria? –Where will you get them? –How many will be included (power analysis)?

How to Design/Critique a Study Design –What is the design? (group, single-case, etc. How does this relate to goal?) –How many comparisons conditions? –How are participants assigned to condition? –Why is this design the best option? Procedures –Where will the study be conducted? –What is the manipulation? How long? Checks on integrity? –Who are clinicians/assessors? –What is assessed, how, and when? –Remember to measure frequently and broadly. Analyses –How will data be analyzed? What tests will be conducted and how do these relate directly to the goals/hypotheses?

Reading & Critiquing Studies and Models of Suicidal Behavior February 9, 2010