Research methods in psychopathology

1
Research methods in psychopathology

• Forming and testing theories

2
The case study

• Idiographic vs. nomothetic
• Closest to clinical experience
• Limited generality Single N design
• Possible disconfirmation of generalization
• Overpathologizing
• Underpathologizing
• Generates hypotheses

3
Epidemiological studies

• Incidence
• Prevalence
• Risk factors
• Fergusson et al. (1998) Maternal smoking and
  late adolescent psychiatric disorders
• Poverty and schizophrenia

4
Correlational designs

• Correlation coefficients
• Group studies may still be correlational
• Correlation causation?

5
Experiments

• Random selection and random assignment
• Manipulate independent variable
• Measure dependent variable
• Special problems in psychopathology

6
Modified experiments

• Analogue experiments
• Animal models/College student models
• Drug studies
• Natural experiments
• Single-subject designs Little Albert plan
• Mixed designs Early vs. late-onset alcoholism
  and treatment with ondansetron
• One grouping IV
• One experimental IV