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Anorexia: Methods and ethics

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  • Module: Anorexia nervosa/
  • Anorexia: Methods and ethics

Research methods and ethical considerations

The study of abnormal behaviour is problematic.  It is not often possible to carry out experimental research, so much of the research is either correlational or qualitative in nature.  In addition, ethical considerations are very important, as the patients need to be able to trust psychologists so as to avoid undue stress or interference with their treatment.  This component looks at both research methods and ethical considerations in the study of etiologies.

Key concepts

  • Anonymity vs confidentiality
  • Correlational studies
  • Natural experiments
  • Quasi-experiments
  • Reductionism vs holism
  • Stigma

text

Thinking about research

There are limitations to carrying out research in abnormal psychology.  It is not possible to manipulate a disorder as an independent variable, so true experiments are rare in abnormal, except in evaluating the effectiveness of different treatments. And even in this case, there are concerns about ethics.  Research in abnormal psychology is often correlational in nature. This means that causation cannot be established.  The reason that correlation does not establish causality is because of the problem of bidirectional ambiguity.  We cannot know if x leads to y or if y leads to x. It can also be the results of endogeneity - that is, that is actually not a relationship between x and y at all - but rather, another variable that is not observed or measured.

Quasi and natural experiments

Much of the research done in abnormal psychology is either a quasi or natural experiment.  What is the difference?

Quasi-experimentsNatural experiments
No random allocation to conditions
High external validity (generalizability), low in internal validity
The Independent variable manipulated by the researcherThe Independent variable is naturally occurring
Uses a comparison groupUses a control group that did not undergo the treatment
Often cross-sectionalOften pre-test/post-test

Checking for understanding

For each of the following studies, what is the research method?  Use these flashcards to practice for the key studies in this unit.

Exam prep

The typical question for research methods is: Evaluate the use of one or more research methods in the study of the etiology of one disorder.

To answer this question, your response should have the following structure:

Introduction:  Identify the research method(s) that you will be evaluating.

Theoretical framework:  If you are writing about one research method, your introduction should also contain a well-developed description of the research method.  Do not simply write a definition - this will attract very few marks.  For example, if I am writing about an experiment, I would explain IVs, DVs, control groups, random allocation, standardized procedures, hypothesis testing, and the fact that it may be in the lab (high internal validity) or in the field (high ecological validity). 

If you are writing about two research methods, it is best to write these descriptions as two separate paragraphs. I would recommend that you explain the research example before describing the

Using research:  You should then explain two studies in terms of how they show the research methods.  (Or one for each research method).  When using an experiment, for example, you should identify the IV, DV, etc.

Critical thinking: Remember that you need to explain the strengths and limitations of the research method - not the studies that you have outlined as examples.  Comments on ethics, for example, are not relevant to this question.

Thinking about ethics

Please review the summary of the study by Dittmar et al (2006).

162 British girls aged five to eight years were shown one of three sets of images:  Barbie dolls, Emme dolls (dolls with realistic body shapes), or control images of flowers, balloons, and clothes. The girls were asked to rate statements about body esteem. Their body dissatisfaction was also assessed by having them colour in two body silhouettes: one they thought represented their body shape, and another representing what they wanted to be.

The girls who saw the Barbie images were significantly more dissatisfied with their body shape than the girls who saw the Emme or control images.  

You could be asked on the exam to discuss ethical considerations with regard to research on the etiology of disorders. In order to answer this question well, you should think both about what the ethical considerations would be and how they may influence the research.  Please answer the questions below with regard to Dittmar's study.

1. Explain how informed consent could have an effect on the findings of the study.

5 lines

2.  Explain the terms "anonymity" and "confidentiality" with regard to this study.

5 lines

3. How might the "right to withdraw" play a role in the findings of this study?

5 lines

4.  To what extent should researchers be concerned about "undue stress or harm" when carrying out this study?

5 lines

 

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