Chapter 3

Question 1

Generally viewed as a systematic way of finding answers to questions—a method of inquiry that follows certain rules.

Answer 1

research

Question 2

The study of the incidence, prevalence, and cooccurrence of childhood disorders and competencies in clinic-referred and community samples.

Answer 2

epidemiological research

Question 3

The rate at which new cases of a disorder appear over a specified period of time.

Answer 3

Incidence rates

Question 4

The number of cases of a disorder, whether new or previously existing, that are observed during a specified period of time.

Answer 4

Prevalence rates

Question 5

A factor that influences the direction or strength of a relationship between variables.

Answer 5

Moderator variables

Question 6

A design used to evaluate treatment outcomes in which children with a particular problem are randomly assigned to various treatment and control conditions.

Answer 6

randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

Question 7

The process, mechanism, or means through which a variable produces a specific outcome.

Answer 7

Mediator variables

Question 8

The degree to which a treatment can be shown to work in actual clinical practice, as opposed to under controlled laboratory conditions.

Answer 8

treatment effectiveness

Question 9

The degree to which a treatment can produce changes under well-controlled conditions that depart from those typically used in clinical practice.

Answer 9

Treatment efficacy

Question 10

The process by which a set of standards or norms is specified for a measurement procedure so that it can be used consistently across different assessments.

Answer 10

Standardization

Question 11

The extent to which the result of an experiment is consistent or repeatable.

Answer 11

Reliability

Question 12

An electrophysiological measure of brain functioning whereby electrodes are taped to the surface of the subject’s scalp to record the electrical activity of the brain. EEG recordings are sensitive to changes in state and emotionality, thereby making them particularly useful for studying social and emotional process.

Answer 12

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 13

The unstructured observation of a child in his or her natural environment.

Answer 13

naturalistic observation

Question 14

The extent to which a measure actually assesses the dimension or construct that the researcher sets out to measure.

Answer 14

validity

Question 15

A method of examining the structure and/or function of the brain. Neuroimaging procedures include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomographic (CT) scan, positron- emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and diffusion MRI (dMRI).

Answer 15

Neuroimaging

Question 16

The overlapping of two or more disorders at a rate that is greater than would be expected by chance alone.

Answer 16

Comorbidity

Question 17

Observation of a subject, usually occurring in a clinic or laboratory, in which the subject is given specific tasks or instructions to carry out, and researchers look for specific information.

Answer 17

structured observation

Question 18

The extent to which an intended manipulation of a variable, rather than extraneous influences, accounts for observed results, changes, or group differences.

Answer 18

Internal validity

Question 19

The degree to which findings can be generalized, or extended to people, settings, times, measures, and characteristics other than the ones in the original study.

Answer 19

External validity

Question 20

An experiment in which the researcher has maximum control over the independent variable or conditions of interest and in which the researcher can use random assignment of subjects to groups, can include needed control conditions, and can control possible sources of bias.

Answer 20

true experiment

Question 21

A number that describes the degree of association between two variables of interest.

Answer 21

correlation coefficient

Question 22

The assignment of research participants to treatment conditions whereby each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to either condition. Random assignment increases the likelihood that characteristics other than the independent variable will be equally distributed across treatment groups.

Answer 22

Random assignment

Question 23

A research design in which people in the research sample are asked to provide information relating to an earlier time.

Answer 23

retrospective design

Question 24

Experiments in which comparisons are made between preexisting conditions or treatments (i.e., random assignment is not used).

Answer 24

natural experiments

Question 25

Research that evaluates a specific variable of interest under conditions that only resemble or approximate the situation to which one wishes to generalize.

Answer 25

Analogue research

Question 26

An intensive and usually anecdotal observation and analysis of an individual subject.

Answer 26

case study

Question 27

These are the strategies used to examine questions of interest. They detail the ways in which a researcher arranges conditions to draw valid inferences about the variables of interest.

Answer 27

Research designs

Question 28

Research designs in which the research sample is identified and then followed longitudinally over time, with data collected at specified time intervals.

Answer 28

real-time prospective designs

Question 29

A type of research design most frequently used to evaluate the impact of a clinical treatment on a subject’s problem. Single-case experimental design involves repeated assessment of behavior over time, the replication of treatment effects on the same subject over time, and the subject serving as his or her own control by experiencing all treatment conditions.

Answer 29

Single-case experimental designs

Question 30

A single-case experimental design in which the effect of a treatment is shown by demonstrating that behaviors in more than one baseline change as a result of the institution of a treatment.

Answer 30

multiple-baseline design

Question 31

A method of research whereby different individuals at different ages/stages of development are studied at the same point in time.

Answer 31

cross-sectional research

Question 32

A type of single-case experimental design in which a baseline of behavior is first taken (A), followed by an intervention phase (B), then a return-to-baseline phase, during which the intervention is removed (A), and a final phase in which the intervention is reintroduced (B). When changes in behavior only occur during the intervention phases, this provides evidence that changes in behavior are due to the intervention.

Answer 32

A-B-A-B reversal design

Question 33

A group of individuals who are followed over time and who experience the same cultural or historical events during the same time period.

Answer 33

cohort

Question 34

A method of research whereby the same individuals are studied at different ages/stages of development.

Answer 34

longitudinal research

Question 35

An individual’s expressed willingness to participate in a research study, based on his or her understanding of the nature of the research, the potential risks and benefits involved, the expected outcomes, and possible alternatives.

Answer 35

Informed consent

Question 36

Research for which the purpose is to describe, interpret, and understand the phenomenon of interest in the context in which it is experienced.

Answer 36

Qualitative research

Question 37

Evidence of some form of agreement on the part of a child to participate in a research study without the child’s having the full understanding of the research that would be needed to give informed consent.

Answer 37

Assent