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Suppose a clinical researcher wants to investigate the efficacy of a new self-calming technique for a patient with panic attacks. How could the researcher design this study to apply the single-subject assumption of discovering causal relationships through rigorous experimental control?
Question: Suppose a clinical researcher wants to investigate the efficacy of a new self-calming technique for a patient with panic attacks. How could the researcher design this study to apply the single-subject assumption of discovering causal relationships through rigorous experimental control?
Sample answer: The researcher could establish a baseline of panic attack frequency, systematically introduce the self-calming technique while controlling for external triggers, and observe if panic attacks decrease only when the technique is active, possibly withdrawing it briefly to confirm the causal link.
Key points:
- Establishment of a baseline phase before the intervention.
- Systematic introduction of the self-calming technique.
- Monitoring and controlling external variables to ensure the technique is the cause of behavior change.
Rubric: The answer should describe a design element that applies rigorous control to demonstrate causality, such as establishing a baseline and systematically introducing (and potentially withdrawing) the intervention while controlling for confounding variables.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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