Overview: Core course topics

1
Overview Core course topics

• How do we know things?
• What does scientific method tell us that other
  methods do not?
• What does science do?
• Describe the world
• Predict events
• Test theories
• Test applications of theories
• What are the core features of a research study
• Theory ? hypothesis ? methods ? data ? analysis ?
  conclusions
• Measurement v. experimental studies

2
Section 1 Study guide key terms

• Types of causality
• Material
• Efficient
• Formal
• Final
• Sources of knowledge (advantages drawbacks)
• Authority
• Intuition
• Empiricism
• Rationalism
• Science

3

• Basic features of research be able to define
  these.
• Theory
• Hypothetical construct
• Statement of testable hypothesis
• Predictive, potentially refutable
• Specify Variables in functional relationship
• Replication
• Operational definition
• Understand
• Internal external validity
• Independent v. Dependent variables
• Which is the cause which is the effect?
• Which is measured which is manipulated?

4
Section 1 study guide

• Understand the core elements of the research flow
• Be able to describe the role of values social
  judgments in the research process.

5
Key terms concepts, 2

• Measurement v. experimental methods
• Types of variables used
• Cause effect assumptions
• Internal v. external validity issues

• Creating variables
• Direct treatment dose or manipulation
• Indirect use of context (manipulation check)
• Using a measured variable (self-reports or
  status variable) to assign to groups

6
The Common Rule criteria for Human Subjects
Protection

• Minimization of risks
• Reasonableness of risks (cost benefit
  analysis)
• Equitable subject selection
• Informed consent
• Documentation of consent
• Data monitoring for safety
• Provisions to protect vulnerable participants
  maintain confidentiality

7
Belmont Report

• 1. Respect For Persons
• Right to exercise autonomy make informed
  choices.
• 2. Beneficence
• Minimization of risk maximization of
  social/individual benefit
• 3. Justice
• Research should not unduly involve groups
  unlikely to benefit from subsequent applications.
  
• Include participants of all races both genders
• Members of target population on design
  research team
• Research researchers contribute to study
  population studied
• Communicate research results develop programs/
  interventions