Research Project about Specific Treatment - Essay Example

Instructions (Not part of answer) In this project, you will determine the method of research that was used in the three different situations described below. Submit your findings in a 1 to 2 page word written project. Based on the reading from Chapter 2, do the following: * provide a brief description of the different methods of research that are described in the reading (single case study, observational, correlational, experimental, quasi-experimental) * evaluate the different methods, and select one that you feel fits best with each of the three descriptions provided * give a rationale as to why you selected the method that you did * Describe how the research method you selected uses the scientific method * Discuss any ethical issues that might apply when using this method * Discuss any limitations to the conclusions that accompany your method of research A.

A researcher was trying to modify a maladaptive behavior of a severely mentally impaired 8-year-old girl. The maladaptive behavior was spoon banging during mealtime. The researcher was able to show that a specific treatment was effective in eliminating the girl’s spoon banging (Horton, 1987). B. A team of researchers studied gender differences in need for affiliation. Need for affiliation was measured by observing students entering the college cafeteria and recording whether each student was alone or with other students.

Females were significantly more likely than males to be in the presence of another person when entering the cafeteria. This finding is consistent with a description of females as having a greater need for affiliation (Latané & Bidwell, 1977). C. A researcher studied the effectiveness of two different approaches that small groups use in making decisions. The researcher randomly assigned 20 groups of two participants to use a cooperative approach and 20 groups of two people to use a competitive approach.

The researcher measured the degree of satisfaction with the final decision that each group member reported after the group had reached its final decision. The members of the groups who used the cooperative approach reported more satisfaction than did those who used the competitive approach. Research Project In the course of pursuing a research project, the research method will be described either as a case study, observational and/or correlational research, and experimental or quasi-experimental research.

Each of these approaches are appropriate for particular research objectives. The single case study is used to understand and treat one individual; the observational and correlational research designs are used for description and prediction; the experimental design is used to answer a causal research question; and the quasi-experimental design is also used to answer a causal research question, but conditions are such that experimental control is not feasible. Three situations are described in this project.

The first situation involves an eight year old mentally impaired patient with a maladaptive behaviour which was effectively addressed by a specific treatment. The appropriate research method for this situation is the single case study, since the subject of research is the understanding and treatment of a single individual. The second situation studied the correlation between gender difference and the need for affiliation. The method used for this research was observational and correlational, as the researcher merely observed behaviour as it naturally existed in the field, described this behaviour, and arrived at a principle by which to predict future behaviour characteristic of the genders, given the same situation.

The third situation sought to determine the degree to which decision-making approaches (cooperative versus competitive) used in group activity caused the degree of satisfaction among the group members. The situation called for an experimental research design since the variable being tested is capable to be subjected to experimental control. It is evident that for each of the situations described, there is an appropriate method that is not necessarily applicable to the others. Each method, however, employs the tenets of the scientific method in arriving at its conclusion.

For case studies, the preliminary observation is made of the individual subject of research, a theory formulated about the cause of his condition, a set of possible remedies listed and a reasoned choice made from them, and a treatment attempted that may or may not lead to the patient’s betterment; if not, the procedure is repeated. For observational and correlational study, experience produces a research objective that is addressed by observation of spontaneous and natural situations. The observations help the researcher formulate the theory that is should be corroborated by other observations.

The experimental/quasi-experimental approaches involve the formulation, testing, and confirmation of the validity of hypotheses concerning situations that lend themselves to controlled procedures. Ethical conditions for all the research methods involve the respect and deference to the individuals being studies, as there is a tendency to regard him or her as a specimen or object of research, such that their humanity is ignored. There is a possibility that the researcher’s own personal biases will colour his observations, or influence any stage of his experiment, from the design of the procedure to the interpretation of data.

Where confidentiality is promised the participants, divulging data held to be confidential is a serious violation of research ethics. Finally lack of candor and transparency in dealing with the participants is also unethical. Conclusions are likewise limited and may mislead when improperly formulated. The case study results cannot be generalized although they may influence future treatments of similar cases. Observation and correlation studies may yield results prone to generalization only if the phenomenon may be observed by others and the same results arrived at.

Finally, experimental results are reliable only insofar as they are able to isolate and accurately test the variable desired.