Common methodological problems in MMPI research.

Indicates that research with the MMPI continues at a high rate and suggests that too many articles submitted and even accepted for publication are methodologically weak. This article discusses some common methodological problems involving the use of the MMPI that were encountered in the course of reviewing articles submitted for publication. These problems involve the use of the MMPI as an all-purpose measure sensitive to "normal range" personality attributes, scale proliferation, limited-validity short forms, errors in assessing profile change, and erroneous interpretations of group data. Some suggestions for improving research designs are made. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Common methodological problems in factor analytic studies.

In view of the increasing number of factor analytic studies, investigators are urged to plan such studies prior to collecting the data, to formulate a hypothesized factor structure, to develop several relatively pure measures of each factor expected, and to select an appropriate sample of at least 200 cases. Continuous rather than dichotomous variables should be used wherever possible. Programmatic series of studies are preferred over one-shot investigations. Putting unities in the diagonals and rotating all factors with eigenvalues of one or more is discouraged, because this procedure tends to give communalities that are too high, produces too many factors, and distorts the rotational solution, especially when analytic rotational programs are used. In some situations, a computer-assisted hand rotational solution is most likely to give satisfactory results. Mathematical algorithms designed to approximate simple structure work well only in situations properly designed for their application. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptual, methodological, and ethical problems of placebo groups in psychotherapy research.

Psychotherapy researchers have long recognized the need to control for expectancy effects, therapist contact, and therapist attention and have generally subsumed these therapeutic factors under the placebo effect rubric. The authors suggest that the need to control for such factors must be distinguished from the necessity for a placebo group. A psychotherapy placebo group that meets the classic criteria (i.e., a theoretically inert procedure without specific activity for the condition being treated) may be unethical, impractical, or methodologically unsound in psychotherapy research of moderate or greater length. The authors suggest that the term placebo group be abandoned and that alternatives, such as "best available" therapies, component control conditions, neutral expectancy controls, and counterdemand manipulations, be used. The necessity for wait-list controls in psychotherapy research is discussed. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family approaches to the problems of addictions: Recent developments.

Examines recent developments in family approaches to addiction by reviewing publications from the period 1984–88 in the areas of conceptual models, the family antidrug movement, family psychology, and the degree to which psychologists consider the family viewpoint. The existing family model appears to have been thoroughly explored and, perhaps, overinterpreted. While research shows that family members have a large influence on the initiation of drug use by adolescents, psychologists have not become involved in the family antidrug movement. Although family psychology has addiction as an area of interest, it is not a primary focus. Similarly, psychologists dealing with addictions are considering the family viewpoint but not focusing on it. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some methodological pitfalls in attributional research.

Points out a number of methodological errors in attributional research. They include failure of the causal manipulation, insufficient sampling of causal alternatives, inaccurate classification of causes on various dimensions, prediction of expectancy of success rather than expectancy change, use of preference as an indicator of affect, insufficient representation of affects, and the use of dependent variables, such as exam performance, that provide inappropriate testing grounds for attribution theory. Some of these errors are documented with simple demonstration experiments. In addition, methodological suggestions are offered. (47 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some methodological issues in semantic differential research.

A review of methodological research on the semantic differential (SD) shows that: (a) metric assumptions in SD scales are in some ways inaccurate but adequate for many applications; (b) biased errors may arise because of social desirability effects or scale-checking styles; (c) a substantial portion of variation in SD ratings is due to individual differences and temporal variations in responses; (d) basic dimensions of average response on SD scales are evaluation, potency, and activity, and no extensive proliferation of basic dimensions beyond these can be expected; (e) there are individual differences in the size and character of the semantic space; (f) the appearance of scale-concept interactions frequently is a methodological artifact which would not occur in adequately designed studies; and (g) the existence of real scale-concept interactions demands tailoring the SD to different stimulus domains, but these studies must be carried out with care. (58 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special issue on methodological issues in psychological assessment research.

Our primary goal in this special issue on research methodology is to explore methodological issues across a broad range of psychological assessment research and to highlight pitfalls and problems that often plague researchers engaged in this pursuit. We believe that the methodological articles in this special issue will serve as an important resource for future research in the field of personality assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empathy research: Some methodological considerations.

Calls for a systematic inquiry into the construct of empathy and suggests that improved definitional and methodological consideration in research will lead to more persuasive findings about the alleged relations between empathy and client outcomes. A category system is proposed for analyzing methodological deficiencies. The system is applied to 4 different measures of empathy and 3 studies having different findings but purportedly similar designs. Renewed attention to the construct of empathy is advocated. (93 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping with health problems: Conceptual and methodological issues.

Reviews and critiques the recent literature on the study of coping and health problems. Although coping variables now figure prominently in various health psychology models, the coping literature continues to be plagued by a variety of methodological weaknesses. These include the questionable reliability and validity of available measures, a failure to address coping issues specific to medically-ill samples, and lack of attention to potential age and gender differences. These problems, which are reviewed and critically discussed, have seriously restricted the development of a systematic body of theory and empirical knowledge about coping and health problems. The discussion concludes with a review of some recent research attempting to overcome some methodological problems in the coping and health area. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Improving outcome research in rehabilitation psychology: Some methodological recommendations.

Reviews the value of null statistical hypothesis testing and discuss its limitations and misuses. It is contended that this method is of nominal utility in outcomes research, that rehabilitation researchers should focus on the calculation and interpretation of statistical power and effect size. During this era when outcomes are paramount, researchers in rehabilitation psychology cannot afford to conduct studies where significant methodological shortcomings compromise the validity of the results. Study design, evaluation, and presentation recommendations for the appropriate use and interpretation of statistical analysis in outcomes research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Outcome research on cognitive-behavioral marital therapy: Conceptual and methodological issues.

Comments on an article by P. M. Emmelkamp et al (see record 1989-16433-001) comparing communication skills training with cognitive therapy in treating distressed couples. Issues related to the scope and methods of cognitive-behavioral interventions are addressed, including development of assessment instruments, standardization of treatment, therapist training and expertise, and matching treatments to client needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The need for theoretical and methodological integrations in family research.

Comments on the article by Carlson and Grotevant (see record 1989-00066-001) who have provided a welcome and thorough evaluation of the adequacy of eight family rating systems, with detailed discussions of optimal scale properties, rater competence and training issues, psychometric reliability, and validity. The present author realizes that it may be unfair to comment on issues that are not part of Carlson and Grotevant's central concerns, but after reading their article, focused entirely on method, he began to worry about the pervasive lack of integration between theory and method in family research. He also notes as worrying, the tendency of family researchers to focus on one perspective and to ignore the possible gains to be derived from integrating theoretical and methodological points of view. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Common urological problems in women

BACKGROUND: Significant advances in the management of some common urinary problems have occurred in recent years. Problems that are likely to present to the general practitioner include urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, recurrent bacterial cystitis and interstitial cystitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to highlight the advances that have occurred in the management of these common problems and their management strategy in the primary care setting. DISCUSSION: The management of incontinence, particularly stress urinary incontinence includes an accurate diagnosis and treatment tailored to the condition identified. Urinary incontinence due to the overactive and/or underactive bladder is more difficult to cure but significant improvement can be achieved in the majority of people. While severe incontinence requires an accurate diagnosis, non-operative strategies without a urodynamic diagnosis can be used in the treatment of milder forms. It is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis when the patient is not improving with conservative strategies. The problem of recurrent bacterial infections is common in women of all ages but cure should be possible in the majority of affected women. While the enigmatic entity of interstitial cystitis is increasingly recognised in out patients the exact basis for this condition remains obscure. Symptomatic improvement is achievable to a variable degree in most patients.     

The influence of presleep suggestions on dream content: Evidence and methodological problems.

Discusses experimental and clinical data indicating that with some Ss the administration of presleep suggestions to dream on a specific topic can influence the content of nocturnal dreams. This relationship occurs regardless of whether or not the dream reports are solicited upon awakening in the morning, upon awakening from REM sleep, or upon awakening from NREM sleep. Adequate specification of the relationship between presleep suggestions and dream content has been hindered by a variety of methodological problems, e.g., inadequate assessment techniques, dream reports of questionable validity, and the confounding of suggested effects with other effects. Failure to recognize that there are nocturnal mental activities other than the dream has also impeded progress. Promising directions for future research are discused. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some methodological issues in neuroradiological research in psychiatry

An outline is given of some of the methodological issues discussed in neuroradiological research on psychiatric illness. Strengths and shortcomings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in depicting and quantifying brain structures are described. Temporal lobe anatomy and pathology are easily accessible to MRI, whereas limits on anatomical delineation hamper approaches to frontal lobe study. White matter hyperintense lesions are sensitively depicted by MRI, but specificity is limited. Distinction of vascular and primary degenerative dementia is considerably improved by CT and MRI analysis. Computed tomography (CT) and MRI have enhanced the understanding of treatable organic psychiatric disorders, e.g., normal pressure hydrocephalus. Subcortical and white matter pathology has been replicated in CT and MRI studies of late-onset psychiatric disorders, clinical overlap with cerebrovascular disease or neurodegeneration may be of import. Transcranial sonography findings of brainstem structural change specific to unipolar depression may contribute to the understanding of affective psychoses. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional MRI are likely to stimulate psychiatric research in the future.     

Report of the past president: Psychologists in addictions.

Upon the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the American Psychological Association (APA), the author reflects on a number of events in the recent past that have increased the visibility of issues concerning psychological research and practice in the areas of alcoholism, drug abuse, and addictive behaviors. These issues have also provided an opportunity to reflect on the growth and development of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors (SPAB) from an organizational perspective, its publication, the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, and continuing issues in practice and research. There remain many issues for SPAB and its members to address in the future, both in the areas of the addictions and organizationally. It is our hope that a benefit of divisional status will be additional support for our efforts to function more smoothly as an organization, in a way that is more facilitative of members and responsive to them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A methodological study of the effect of experimentally induced demand characteristics in research on nocturnal dreams.

Tested the hypothesis that demand characteristics may influence dream content. Laboratory and home dreams were collected from 12 undergraduates allocated to 2 matched groups. The independent variable, a simple form, was administered to each group and requested that the Ss in the respective groups pay special attention to either the outdoor-nature or urban settings of their nocturnal dreams. The Ss did not consciously construe these forms as representing an attempt to influence their dreams. Nevertheless, in the treatment condition, the dream settings of both groups changed significantly in the predicted direction, as assessed by 2 quantitative indices. Implications of the findings are discussed with reference to laboratory dream research. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reading level design: Conceptual and methodological issues in reading research.

Researchers have recently begun to use the reading level design, in which reading-disabled children are compared with younger normal children at the same level of reading achievement, in an attempt to overcome some of the interpretational problems in the field. The potential of this design for testing hypotheses is explored by using examples from current research, and a more general design is introduced that extends the utility of the design from studying reading disability to investigating normal or superior reading acquisition. Limitations and practical problems associated with this approach are discussed, and methodological issues in the implementation of reading level designs are considered in terms of the choice of a criterion of reading achievement for matching the groups, the question of whether groups should be matched on IQ, and the identification of subgroups of reading disabled children. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

比较艺术学方法研究

比较艺术学的研究方法主要有变迁研究、形态研究、互释研究和交叉研究.变迁研究的核心是亲缘和影响关系,基本方法重考证,主要研究异变与正变之迹.形态研究的核心是异同关系,基本方法是比照、参量,并以此探索艺术形态背后思想文化异同之根源.互释研究的核心是深度求解和沟通,基本方法是互为主体的双向阐释.交叉研究的核心是跨学科的关系,基本方法是科际边缘整合,研究学科之间的亲缘联系.