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Describe how single-subject researchers address concerns regarding the sensitivity and reliability of visual inspection. Specifically, outline their focus, their primary strategy, and their course of action when dealing with weak or noisy data.
Question: Describe how single-subject researchers address concerns regarding the sensitivity and reliability of visual inspection. Specifically, outline their focus, their primary strategy, and their course of action when dealing with weak or noisy data.
Sample answer: Single-subject researchers address concerns about visual inspection by focusing exclusively on strong, consistent effects and by employing the steady state strategy. When a treatment effect is weak or the data is noisy, they attempt to control extraneous variables to either enhance the strength of the effect or reduce the noise in the data. If the effect remains difficult to detect visually despite these controls, they conclude that the effect is not sufficiently robust or consistent to warrant further interest, rather than relying on statistical methods to detect the weak effect.
Key points:
- Focus exclusively on strong, consistent effects.
- Employ the steady state strategy.
- Control extraneous variables to enhance effect strength or reduce noise.
- Conclude that weak, visually undetectable effects are not robust enough to warrant further interest instead of using statistics.
Rubric: Grading Rubric: - 1 point for mentioning the focus on strong, consistent effects. - 1 point for identifying the steady state strategy. - 1 point for explaining that researchers control extraneous variables to increase effect strength or decrease noise when data is noisy or the effect is weak. - 1 point for explaining that if the effect remains undetectable visually, researchers conclude it is not robust or consistent enough, avoiding statistical analysis.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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