PP 7203 Research Methods FALL 2010

INSTRUCTOR:
Myra Leifer, Ph. D. PHONE: 312-777-7690 EMAIL:

mleifer@argosy.edu
FAX: 312-777-7748 ALT PHONE:

REQUIRED TEXTS:
Title Author(s) Copyright Publisher ISBN Edition
Research design in clinical psychology Kazdin, Alan (2003) Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon 0-205-3392-7 Paperback Fourth Edition

This Course Requires the Purchase of a Course Packet: Title: Dissertations and theses from start to finish. Authors: J.E.Cone & S.L. Foster Publisher: American Pschlogical Association

YES

ISBN: 1557981949

Argosy University COURSE SYLLABUS PP7203 Research Methods FALL 2010

Faculty Name: Myra Leifer, Ph.D. Campus: Chicago Contact: Phone: 312-777-7690 Email: mleifer@argosy.edu Office Hours: Tuesdays 1 4pm; Wednesdays 11 12 Short Bio: Dr Leifer is Professor of Clinical Psychology and a member of the Institutional Review Board. She conducts research in the areas of Child Maltreatment and Early Intervention and has published widely in these areas. She is the recipient of grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, The Department of Children and Family Services as well as private foundations. Dr. Leifer serves on several journal review boards and is the recipient of the Klopfer research award from the Society of Personality Assessment. Course Catalogue Description: This course is a survey of the major methods utilized in empirical clinical practice. Students learn experimental, quasi-experimental, and systematic singe-subject designs as well as qualitative research methods. The course focuses on the development of a proposal for the Clinical Research Project. Required Texts: Kazdin, Alan (2003). Research design in clinical psychology. Fourth Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0-205-3392-7 Paperback ISBN:020533927. Packet of readings APA Publication Manual ISBN: 1557987912. Cone, J.D. & Foster, S.L. (1993) Dissertations and theses from start to finish. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. ISBN:1557981949 Technology: Argosy University encourages the use of technology throughout the curriculum. This course uses some or all of the following: video tapes, CDs, DVDs, overheads, etc. Examples of hardware/software you might need access to for the course include: Pentium III CPU/ Windows 98; 128MB RAM printer; Microsoft Office: Acrobat

4 (full version); Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC), 5.0 (MAC), or Netscape Navigator 4.08; Norton Antivirus. Course length: 15 week. Contact hours: 3.0 Credit Value: 3.0 Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: 1) Generate a viable research design that could be used as a basis for the CRP and write a proposal in APA style. This meets Goal 4 Scientific Foundations and is assessed with the final research proposal. 2) Critically evaluate published research results This meets Goal 5, Critical evaluation and Goal 2 Evaluation of interventions and is assessed with weekly research article critiques. 3) Analyze fundamental problems involved in research methods and determine ethical ways of confronting these problems. This meets Goal 4 Scientific Foundations and is assessed with weekly readings, peer critiques, and the midterm and final exams. 4) Evaluate the influence culture, ethnicity, class, and gender may have in influencing the research process. This meets Goal 3 Diversity and is assessed with weekly readings, class discussions and article critiques. . 5) Examine the appropriate use of outcome and process measures in clinical research. This meets Goal 1, Assessment Methods and is assessed with weekly readings, article critiques and the midterm and final exams. 6) Identify a variety of research methods used in clinical research. This meets Goals 4 and 5 and is assessed with weekly readings, article critiques, discussions and the final and midterm exams. Course Requirements Article Critiques: Written summaries of evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of assigned research studies are due most weeks as noted in the syllabus. Students will orally lead discussions of article critiques and sign up for this.

5 On Line Ethics Course: Students are required to complete a web-based training program in human research subjects protections through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).To access the program go to: http://www.citiprogram.org/default.asp?language=english No password is required. Simply identify yourself as affiliated with Argosy University. Select training for Students. When you have completed the training modules you will receive a certificate . Include this certificate when you submit your Research proposal at the end of the semester. You will also need to include this certificate when you submit your CRP proposal to the IRB. Research Proposal: Students are required to complete a final research proposal. We will approach the final paper in steps that will help you plan an interesting and feasible project. Students will hand in short papers (3-4 pages) describing their research. Two short papers are required: 1) Paper #1 DUE SESSION 3 - 9/22 Describe the main problems or questions to be investigated in your project. Delineate the nature and significance of the problem. Explain how you arrived at these problems and indicate why you think it is important and interesting. Specify the independent and dependent variables of your study. Paper #2 DUE SESSION 9 - 11/3 a) Restate the main questions as specific hypothesis to be listed. b) Outline a review of the relevant literature to support the need for the study. List at least five references. c) Describe the participants in your study and how you will obtain them. d) List the measures you will use. e) Outline the procedures 3) Research Proposal DUE SESSION 14- 12/8 Research proposals should be written according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Grading criteria will include: Clarity of statement of the problem and variables Adequacy of literature review Clarity of the methods of the study including the sample, hypotheses, measures and procedures. Appropriateness of proposed data analysis. Appropriateness of discussion of strengths and weaknesses of the study design

2)

6 Use of APA style Exams: (Competency # 4, 5, 6) There will be two in-class exams, a midterm and a final. Each will cover material from the Kazdin book and readings. Grading criteria will be based on the following: Grading scale A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF 100 93 92 90 89 88 87 83 82 80 79 78 77 - 73 72 70 69 68 67 63 62 60 59 and below Grading requirements Research Critiques Midterm Exam Final Exam Research Proposal 20% 20% 20% 40% 100%

NOTE: No late papers will be accepted nor will make-up tests be offered. No extra credit papers or assignments will be given. You are required to attend all class meetings to pass this course. Guidelines for preparation of research proposal:

7 Proposals should be written in APA style, include a bibliography and not exceed 20 double-spaced, typed pages. The proposal must specify an empirical study, involving the collection of data. However, the study can involve any form of research methodology and could be a qualitative study, quasi experiential design, and quantitative single case study as well as a true experiment. Theoretical papers and descriptive cases are not acceptable. The format should be done in APA style and include: Title Page Abstract Introduction Aims of the study Hypotheses or Questions Method Participants Measures Procedures Discussion- Since there will be no data, include in this section a critical assessment of your study. Describe its strengths and limitations. References Appendix- If using any unknown measures. Consent Form Class Presentation: You will be asked to present your ideas regarding a research project. These ideas should be the initial bases for the final paper. The presentation should be viewed as an opportunity to discuss your ideas and research design with the rest of the class and the instructor to gain help in refining your research hypothesis, correct your design where needed, and anticipate criticisms and challenges to the final paper. The amount of time we can devote to each presentation will depend on the class size. During the last class, students will present their research proposals. Weekly Topics, Readings and Assignments:

8 Date Topic Readings Assignments

9 Session 1- 9/8 Topic: Introduction to research methods Readings: Kazdin, Chapter 1, Introduction; Cone & Foster, Chapter 1, What are dissertations? Chapter 2, Starting out. Readings: Mahrer, B.A. (1978). A readers,writers and reviewers guide to assessing research reports in clinical psychology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 835-838. Kazdin, Chapter 18, Publication and communication of research findings. Reading: Kazdin Chapter 2, Drawing valid inferences I: Internal and external validity; Chapter 3, Construct and statistical conclusion validity Chapter 4, Sources of artifact and bias. Article Critique: Hall, C. & Van de Castle, R. (1965). An empirical investigation of the castration complex in dreams. Journal of Personality, 33, 20-29.

Session 2 9/15

Writing the research report, Evaluating research studies

Session 3 9/22

Validity

PAPER #1 DUE Article Critique: Meyer, B. et al (2002). Treatment expectancies, patient alliance and outcome. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 70, 1051-1055. Article Critique: Goldman, R. et al (2005) Depth of emotional experience and outcome. Psychotherapy

Session 4 9/29

Research Design

Kazdin, Chapter 5, Selection of the research problem and design; Chapter 6, Experimental research: group designs, Cone & Foster Chapter 4,

10 Time management; Chapter 5, Selecting a chairperson; Chapter 6, An overview of the proposal. Session 5 -10/6 Assessment issues Readings: Kazdin, Chapter 13, Assessment methods and strategies; Cone & Foster Chapter 7 , Research, 15, 24860.

Article Critique:Watson.J. & Geller,S. (2005) The relation among the relationship conditions, working alliance and Reviewing the outcome in both literature; Chapter 8, process-experiential Methodology. and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Research, 15, 25-33. Reading: Kazdin, Chapter 7, Control and comparison groups Article Critique: David, H. et al (2003) Born unwanted. American Psychologist, 58, 224-229.

Session 6-10/13

Control and comparison groups

Session 7 -10/20

Session 8 10/27

STUDY WEEK TA SESSION INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS Statistical Methods, Data Interpretation

Readings: Kazdin, Chapter 15, Statistical methods of data evaluation; Chapter 16, Interpretation of the data. Cone & Foster, Chapter 12, Presenting the results; Chapter 13, Discussing the results.

MIDTERM QUIZ

11

Session 9 11/3

Observational Research

Kazdin, Chapter 9, Observational research: Case control and cohort designs. Danner, D., Snowdon, D. & Friesen, W. (2001). Positive emotions in early life and longevity: Findings from the Nun Study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 804

SECOND PAPER DUE

Session 10 - 11/10

Single subject design

Kazdin, Chapter 10, The case study and single case research design; Chapter 11, Evaluation of the single case in clinical work. Leifer, M. & Smith S. (1990). Preventative intervention with a depressed mother with mental retardation and her infant: A quantitative case study. Infant Mental Health Journal, 11, 301-323

Session 11 11/17

Qualitative Research

Kazdin, Chapter 12, Qualitative research Kearney, M., Murphy, S. & Rosenbaum, M.

12 (1994). Mothers on crack cocaine A grounded theory analysis. Social Science and Medicine, 38, 351361. Session 12 11/24 Psychotherapy and intervention research Readings: Kazdin, Pages 202-212. Kazdin,A.(2008) Evidenced based treatment and practice. American Psychologist, 63, 146-159. Wampole, B (2007) .Psychotherapy: The humanistic and effective treatment. American Psychologist, 62, 857-873. Shedler,J (In Press). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Psychologist. Session 13 12/1 Ethical issues, IRB Process and Online Research Negative effects of psychotherapy Kazdin, Chapter 17, Ethical issues; Chapter l9 Closing comments. Kraut, R., et. al (2004). Psychological Research Online. American Psychologist, 59, 105-117

13 Barlow, D. (2010) Negative effects from psychological treatment. American Psychologist, 65, 13-20. Session 14 12/8 Student presentations of proposals

RESEARCH PROPOSALS DUE IN CLASS FINAL EXAM

Session 15 12/15 Library Resources

Argosy Universitys core online collection features more than 21,000 full-text journals, 23,000 electronic books and other content covering all academic subject areas including Business & Economics, Career & General Education, Computers, Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities, Science, Medicine & Allied Health, and Social & Behavior Sciences. All electronic resources can be accessed through the librarys website at www.auchicagolib.org. User IDs and passwords are distributed during orientation, but can also be obtained at the circulation desk, calling 312-777-7653, or by e-mail at auchilibrary@argosy.edu. In addition to online resources, Argosy Universitys onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials searchable in the Library Online Catalog. Catalog searching is easily limited to individual campus collections. Alternatively, students can search combined collections of all Argosy University Libraries. Students are encouraged to seek research and reference assistance from campus librarians. Information Literacy: Argosy Universitys Information Literacy Tutorial was developed to teach fundamental and transferable research skills, including selecting sources appropriate for academic-level research, searching periodical indexes and search engines, and evaluating and citing information. In the tutorial, students study concepts and practice them through interactions. At the conclusion of each module, they can test their comprehension and receive immediate feedback. Each module takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Please view the tutorial at http://library.argosy.edu/infolit/ Academic Policies Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: In an effort to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity during the learning process, Argosy University requires that the submission of all course assignments represent the original work produced by that student. All sources must be documented through normal scholarly references/citations and all work must be

14 submitted using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition (2001). Washington DC: American Psychological Association (APA) format. Please refer to Appendix A in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition for thesis and paper format. Students are encouraged to purchase this manual (required in some courses) and become familiar with its content as well as consult the Argosy University catalog for further information regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism. Scholarly writing: The faculty at Argosy University is dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports scholarly and ethical writing, free from academic dishonesty and plagiarism. This includes the proper and appropriate referencing of all sources. You may be asked to submit your course assignments through Turnitin, (www.turnitin.com), an online resource established to help educators develop writing/research skills and detect potential cases of academic dishonesty. Turnitin compares submitted papers to billions of pages of content and provides a comparison report to your instructor. This comparison detects papers that share common information and duplicative languag Americans with Disabilities Act Policy It is the policy of Argosy University to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations, the student must notify the Director of Student Services. Procedures for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodations will be provided to the student upon request. Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing via a designated form. To receive accommodation in class, it is the students responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion) to the instructor. In an effort to protect student privacy, the Department of Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs of any student with instructors. Faculty may not make accommodations for individuals who have not been approved in this manner. 23 The Argosy University Statement Regarding Diversity Argosy University prepares students to serve populations with diverse social, ethnic, economic, and educational experiences. Both the academic and training curricula are designed to provide an environment in which students can develop the skills and attitudes essential to working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.