Methodological Issues in Applied Social Psychology

Methodological Issues in Applied Social Psychology PDF

Author: Fred B. Bryant

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-11-11

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 148992308X

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Many authors have argued that applying social psychology to the solution of real world problems builds better theories. Observers have claimed, for example, that of human behavior applied social psychology reveals more accurate principles because its data are based on people in real-life circumstances (Helmreich, 1975; Saxe & Fine, 1980), provides an opportunity to assess the ecological validity of generalizations derived from laboratory research (Ellsworth, 1977; Leventhal, 1980), and discloses important gaps in existing theories (Fisher, 1982; Mayo & LaFrance, 1980). Undoubtedly, many concrete examples can be mustered in support of these claims. But it also can be argued that applying social psychology to social issues and problems builds better research methods. Special methodological problems arise and new perspectives on old methodological problems emerge when re searchers leave the laboratory and tackle social problems in real-world settings. Along the way, we not only improve existing research techniques but also devel op new research tools, all of which enhance our ability to obtain valid results and thereby to understand and solve socially relevant problems. Indeed, Campbell and Stanley's (1966) seminal work on validity in research design grew out of the application of social science in field settings. In this spirit, the principal aim of this volume is to present examples of methodological advances being made as researchers apply social psychology in real-life settings.

Concept and Method in Cross-Cultural and Cultural Psychology

Concept and Method in Cross-Cultural and Cultural Psychology PDF

Author: Ype H. Poortinga

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-11-04

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 1108904394

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An overview is given of cross-cultural psychology and cultural psychology, focusing on theory and methodology. In Section 1 historical developments in research are traced; it is found that initially extensive psychological differences tend to shrink when more carefully designed studies are conducted. Section 2 addresses the conceptualization of “culture” and of “a culture”. For psychological research the notion “culture” is considered too vague; more focal explanatory concepts are required. Section 3 describes methodological issues, taking the notion of the empirical cycle as a lead for both qualitative and quantitative research. Pitfalls in research design and data analysis of behavior-comparative studies, and the need for replication are discussed. Section 4 suggests to move beyond research on causal relationships and to incorporate additional questions, addressing the function and the development of behavior patterns in ontogenetic, phylogenetic and historical time. Section 5 emphasizes the need for applied research serving the global village.

Methodological Issues in Psychology

Methodological Issues in Psychology PDF

Author: David Trafimow

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-08-17

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 1000918327

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Methodological Issues in Psychology is a comprehensive text that challenges current practice in the discipline and provides solutions that are more useful in contemporary research, both basic and applied. This book begins by equipping the readers with the underlying foundation pertaining to basic philosophical issues addressing theory verification or falsification, distinguishing different levels of theorizing, or hypothesizing, and the assumptions necessary to negotiate between these levels. It goes on to specifically focus on statistical and inferential hypotheses including chapters on how to dramatically improve statistical and inferential practices and how to address the replication crisis. Advances to be featured include the author's own inventions, the a priori procedure and gain-probability diagrams, and a chapter about mediation analyses, which explains why such analyses are much weaker than typically assumed. The book also provides an introductory chapter on classical measurement theory and expands to new concepts in subsequent chapters. The final measurement chapter addresses the ubiquitous problem of small effect sizes in psychology and provides recommendations that directly contradict typical thinking and teaching in psychology, but with the consequence that researchers can enjoy dramatically improved effect sizes. Methodological Issues in Psychology is an invaluable asset for students and researchers of psychology. It will also be of vital interest to social science researchers and students in areas such as management, marketing, sociology, and experimental philosophy.

Methodological Thinking in Psychology

Methodological Thinking in Psychology PDF

Author: Jaan Valsiner

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2010-07-01

Total Pages: 359

ISBN-13: 1607524325

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In recent years an increasing dissatisfaction with methods and thinking in psychology as a science can be observed. The discipline is operating under the tension between the traditional quantitative and the new qualitative methodologies. New approaches emerge in different fields of psychology and education—each of them trying to go beyond limitations of the mainstream. These new approaches, however, tend to be “historically blind” – seemingly novel ideas have actually been common in some period in the history of psychology. Knowledge of historical trends in that context becomes crucial because analysis of historical changes in psychology is informative regarding the potential of “new/old and forgotten” approaches in the study of psyche. Some approaches in psychology disappeared due to inherent limitations of them; the others disappeared due to purely non-scientific reasons. And some new approaches were rejected long ago for well-justified scientific reasons. This book brings together contributions from leading scholars in different fields of psychology – cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, cultural psychology, methodology of psychology. Each of the contributors discusses methodological issues that were more thoroughly understood more than half a century ago than they are now. Overall, the contributions support the idea that in important ways 60 years old psychology was far ahead of the most recent trends in mainstream psychology.

Modeling Human and Organizational Behavior

Modeling Human and Organizational Behavior PDF

Author: Panel on Modeling Human Behavior and Command Decision Making: Representations for Military Simulations

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1998-08-14

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 0309523893

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Simulations are widely used in the military for training personnel, analyzing proposed equipment, and rehearsing missions, and these simulations need realistic models of human behavior. This book draws together a wide variety of theoretical and applied research in human behavior modeling that can be considered for use in those simulations. It covers behavior at the individual, unit, and command level. At the individual soldier level, the topics covered include attention, learning, memory, decisionmaking, perception, situation awareness, and planning. At the unit level, the focus is on command and control. The book provides short-, medium-, and long-term goals for research and development of more realistic models of human behavior.

Methodological Issues & Strategies in Clinical Research

Methodological Issues & Strategies in Clinical Research PDF

Author: Alan E. Kazdin

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 765

ISBN-13:

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This book provides readings designed to improve understanding of methodology and to enhance research practices in clinical psychology. The intended audience is persons who are in training or are actively involved in research. The primary focus of the readings is clinical psychology, but the issues and methods are relevant to other areas as well, such as counseling, educational and school psychology, psychiatry, and social work. /// Several readings have been included to address a broad range of practices, procedures, and strategies for developing a sound knowledge base. The goal was to select, from a large literature on methodology and design, a special set of engaging articles of use to students and professionals alike. The articles address a wide range of topics within clinical research. /// The content of this book addresses experimental design, principles, procedures, and practices that govern research, assessment, sources of artifact and bias, data analyses and interpretation, ethical issues, and publication and communication of the results of research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).

Life-Span Developmental Psychology

Life-Span Developmental Psychology PDF

Author: Stanley H. Cohen

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2019-10-25

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 1317739337

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Dealing with the methodological and data analytic problems in developmental research, this book presents solutions advanced from the disciplinary perspectives of psychology, behavior analysis and behavioral systems, sociology, and anthropology. Topics addressed include: * the metatheoretical issues about the relationship between data and theory * the identification and analysis of age, cohort, and time-of-measurement effects * the assessment of quantitative and qualitative change * the use of group and single-subject designs for control by systematic variation * the use of systems methodology to investigate the developmental continuity and organization of behavior * the analysis of data from repeated measures designs * the use of structural equations and path analysis to test causal hypotheses * the use of structured relational matrices to study development and change This unique volume offers students an unusually wide range of research tools for identifying and studying specific developmental problems.

Methodological Issues and Strategies in Clinical Research

Methodological Issues and Strategies in Clinical Research PDF

Author: Alan E. Kazdin

Publisher: Amer Psychological Assn

Published: 2002-11-15

Total Pages: 913

ISBN-13: 9781557989598

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The third edition of this resource is intended to assist students and professionals in increasing their mastery of the range of methodological approaches available with which to examine clinical issues and phenomena. Contributors explore experimental design; the principles, procedures and practices that govern research; assessment of study constructs and their interrelationships; potential sources of artifact and bias; methods of data analysis and interpretation; ethical issues; and publication and communication of research findings. With 19 new articles and significantly revised and expanded introductory material, this edition features many scholarly contributions that explicate core concepts, survey contemporary issues, and elaborate on ethical responsibilities. Additions include articles on mediators and moderators of effects, on methods for studying the efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy, and on ways of incorporating systematic observation and evaluation into clinical practice to improve patient care.