An operational definition is a detailed, clear, and concise definition of a measure used when data is being collected. If more than one researcher is setting out to measure the same conditions, they should be able to independently do so. In the case of measuring anxiety in college seniors, a researcher chooses to give the participants a 15 item questionnaire. The researcher's operational definition of anxiety for this study is the participant's score on the questionnaire.
There are three basic types of descriptive research: survey, observation, and case study. Conclusions from descriptive research cannot be drawn, thus, no causal relationships can be determined. The survey requires 50-57% to be returned in order to be accurate.
An ethical dilemma occurs when a counselor feels pulled in two different directions. In surveys of practitioners, confidentiality is one of the top dilemmas reported.
Most researchers use a P value of .05 as a cutoff for significance. If it is less than .05, the null hypothesis is rejected and it is concluded significance does not exist.
Helping clients work through trauma requires specialized training. If the client is presenting with trauma and it is out of the realm of the counselor's ability to handle, the client should be referred to a qualified professional.
It is very important for counselors to follow through with reporting abuse, especially since they are mandated reporters. This is one of the instances when breaking confidentiality is warranted. It is not the counselor's job to get more information from the client in order to try to prove abuse occurred. If a counselor has the suspicion that abuse occurred, they need to report. In some instances, counselors do choose to let the parent know a report had to be made, but that is not required.
Aristotle discussed the use of a major premise, a related minor premise and an obvious conclusion as a part of deductive reasoning.
The experiment is the most powerful research method because it is the only design that examines a single factor's effect on a particular behavior. Therefore, it is the only method where a direct cause and effect relationship can be established. While correlational studies can show if 2 variables are related and how strong the relationship is, it is important to remember correlation does not equal causation.
The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) is a self-report personality test developed using several decades worth of empirical research. Cattell and his associates set to measure the following personality factors: warmth, intellect, emotional stability, aggressiveness, liveliness, dutifulness, social assertiveness, sensitivity, paranoia, abstractedness, introversion, anxiety, open mindedness, independence, perfectionism, tension. The Myers Briggs Type Inventory is a self-report personality inventory which indicates how people perceive the world and make decisions. The WISC and the WAIS are tests designed to measure cognitive intelligence.
Intervening variables are variables that may alter the outcome of a research experiment. They are difficult to control for. Other examples include motivation and boredom.
Knowledge can be gained about a particular relationship by following downward from general to specific. For instance: In general, people with depression are sad. Sally is sad. Sally has depression.
