Research Designs

Introduction

Scientific research involves the systematic investigation of events of interest so as to increase our understanding of those events. As applied to cognitive behavior therapy and behavior modification with children and adolescents, scientific research often consists of inquiry that improves our knowledge of childhood psychopathology and the variables that impact the development, maintenance, and treatment of disordered behavior. To conduct research in a rigorous way, investigators use specific methods of selecting participants, arranging experimental conditions, and gathering and analyzing data. These methods are referred to as research designs. Various experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational designs are used in research on child behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy. Selection of an appropriate design depends on several variables, including the goals of research, the topic ...