Explain how the psychologist can defend the generalizability of their initial findings using the characteristics of the observed effect, and explain what subsequent research steps they should take to systematically build confidence in the generality of these results.
Case context: A clinical psychologist develops a new behavioral therapy to reduce math anxiety in school children. In a study with a single participant (), the researcher observes a massive, immediate, and highly consistent drop in anxiety scores that remains stable over several weeks. A reviewer criticizes the study, stating that because the sample size is only one participant, the findings have no external validity and cannot be generalized.
Question: Explain how the psychologist can defend the generalizability of their initial findings using the characteristics of the observed effect, and explain what subsequent research steps they should take to systematically build confidence in the generality of these results.
Sample answer: The psychologist can defend their initial findings by pointing out that the effect observed was extremely strong and consistent, which makes it likely to generalize even from a small sample. To systematically build confidence in the generalizability of these results, the researcher should attempt replication by reproducing the effect with different participants or under slightly varying conditions.
Key points:
- Defending generalizability based on the strong and consistent nature of the observed effect
- Understanding that strong effects are likely to generalize even from small samples
- Identifying replication as the key next step to build confidence
- Specifying that replication should involve different participants or slightly varying conditions
Rubric: Full credit requires explaining that: (1) strong, consistent effects are likely to generalize despite small sample sizes, and (2) the researcher must systematically replicate the study with different participants or under slightly varying conditions.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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