Choosing Measures For Psychological Research

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Psychologists often use psychological tests and other measures when conducting research. These measures come in a variety of forms, such as self-report questionnaires, interviews, and observational checklists. When carefully selected, measures enable researchers to make valid, reliable observations about behaviors and other variables of interest. However, when researchers use inappropriate measures, this can lead to inaccurate assessments of behavior and inappropriate decision-making. This puts the validity of the research study at risk. The problem is that there are so many options available when it comes to psychological measures. Researchers must carefully evaluate the qualitative and quantitative evidence available about the measure to ensure it is the best fit for the research context.

For this Assignment, you will write a 4-6 page paper about choosing measures for psychological research. You will also identify and summarize a psychological measure that researchers in your specialization use when conducting research.

Be sure to address the following:

Part 1. Discuss the validity and reliability factors researchers should consider when choosing a measure.

  • Differentiate between psychological measures with evidence of high validity and reliability versus low validity and reliability.
  • Examine test-retest reliability, parallel-forms reliability, and split-half reliability.
  • Analyze what it means for scores on a psychological measure to be accurate.
  • Examine each of the following forms of validity: face, content, criterion-related, and construct validity.
  • Discuss three or more ethical considerations that relate to choosing a psychological measure.

Part 2. Identify and Describe a Psychological Measure

  • Describe a psychological measure that researchers use in your specialization area.
    • Describe the construct it measures.
    • Describe the format of the measure.
  • Examine strengths and limitations of the measure, given the qualitative and quantitative evidence available.
  • Explore one way you could use this measure in a research setting.

The Assignment should:

  • Utilize a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources outside of your textbook to support your paper.
  • Follow Assignment directions (review grading rubric for best results).
  • Use correct APA formatting per the current APA Publication Manual.
  • Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard English.
  • Be written in Standard English and be clear, specific, and error-free.

Your paper should include:

  • Title Page
  • Main Body of the paper
  • Reference Page
  • 4-6 Pages in length

Submitting your Assignment

Put your Assignment in a Word document. Save it in a location that you will remember and with your full name along with the class number. When you are ready to submit it to the unit Dropbox. You should revisit the Dropbox to view any helpful feedback your instructor has left for you.

Unit VII Reflection Paper

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Instructions

As you learned in this unit, work settings are strongly linked to social interactions, perceptions, and decision-making. For this assignment, you will compose a reflection paper in which you will consider how topics studied in social psychology influence these concepts in the real world.

To complete your paper, first, pick a topic you previously learned about in this course. Then, address the following points.

  • Define your chosen topic as it was presented in the prior unit.
  • Describe how your topic could be applied in a work setting. In your description, be sure to mention the similarities and the differences you would expect in applying your topic to the real world.
  • Would your chosen topic be perceived as beneficial or detrimental if you were in the role of employee? Why?
  • How would your perspective on the topic change if you were in a nonpaid position, such as a volunteer or intern?
  • Think about the concepts of behavioral economics. What is a rational course of action to protect (if a detriment) or promote (if a benefit) yourself, as an individual employee? How does this compare to actions that protect or promote the company at large? How could you balance the two?

Your response should be at least two pages in length. You must use at least one source as a reference in your paper. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Please format your paper and all citations in accordance with APA guidelines.

Benefits And Concerns Of Stakeholders

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Dudley (2009) points out that social work practice is usually embedded in programs. While you looked at practice evaluation using single-subject design in Week 3, this week, you shift focus to program evaluation. Program evaluation serves many purposes, including accountability to funders and to the public. Often, funding sources such as government agencies or private foundations requires periodic program evaluations. These evaluations can help provide answers to many different questions, and can contribute to improvement of services. There are a variety of program evaluation models that are appropriate for addressing different questions as well as facilitating the collection and analysis of many different types of data.

To prepare for this Discussion, identify a program within an agency with which you are familiar, which could benefit from process evaluation and outcome evaluation. You do not need to identify the agency in your post. Also, review the different evaluation models highlighted in this week’s resources (needs assessment, program monitoring, client satisfaction study, outcome evaluation, or cost benefit study).

Post(2 to 3) a brief summary of the program that you selected. Recommend a program evaluation model that would answer a question relevant to the program. Explain the potential benefits of the program evaluation that you proposed (both process and outcome). Identify 2–3 concerns that stakeholders might have about your proposed evaluation and how you would address those concerns. Then explain 2–3 concerns that stakeholders may have about your proposed program evaluation and how you would address those concerns.

 

Required Readings

Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.
Chapter 1, “Evaluation and Social Work: Making the Connection” (pp. 1–26)
Chapter 4, “Common Types of Evaluations” (pp. 71-89)
Chapter 5, “Focusing an Evaluation” (pp. 90-105)

Document: Logan, T. K., & Royse, D. (2010). Program evaluation studies. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed., pp. 221–240). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (PDF)
Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

W. K. Kellogg Foundation. (2017). The step-by-step guide to evaluation: How to become savvy evaluation consumers. Retrieved from https://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resources/2017/11/the-step-by-step-guide-to-evaluation–how-to-become-savvy-evaluation-consumers

Chapter 4, “Overview of the Evaluation Process That Reflects Evaluation Thinking”
Chapter 5, “Preparing for the Evaluation”
Chapter 6, “Determine Stakeholders and Engage Them in Evaluation”
Chapter 7, “Developing a Logic Model, Evaluation Questions, “Measurement Framework, and Evaluation Plan”
Chapter 8, “Data Collection and Analysis”
Chapter 9, “Summarize, Communicate and Reflection on Evaluation Findings”

Developing A Program Evaluation

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To ensure the success of a program evaluation, a social worker must generate a specific detailed plan. That plan should describe the goal of the evaluation, the information needed, and the methods and analysis to be used. In addition, the plan should identify and address the concerns of stakeholders. A social worker should present information about the plan in a manner that the stakeholders can understand. This will help the social worker receive the support necessary for a successful evaluation.

To prepare for this Assignment, identify a program evaluation you would like to conduct for a program with which you are familiar. Consider the details of the evaluation, including the purpose, specific questions to address, and type of information to collect. Then, consider the stakeholders that would be involved in approving that evaluation. Review the resources for samples of program evaluations.

By Day 7

Submit the following:

  • A 1-page stakeholder analysis that identifies the stakeholders, their role in the agency and any concerns that they might have about the proposed program evaluation
  • A 2- to 3-page draft of the program evaluation plan to submit to the stakeholders that:
    • Identifies the purpose of the evaluation
    • Describes the questions that will be addressed and the type of information that will be collected
    • Addresses the concerns of the stakeholders that you identified in your Stakeholder Analysis

 

Required Readings

Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.
Chapter 1, “Evaluation and Social Work: Making the Connection” (pp. 1–26)
Chapter 4, “Common Types of Evaluations” (pp. 71-89)
Chapter 5, “Focusing an Evaluation” (pp. 90-105)

Document: Logan, T. K., & Royse, D. (2010). Program evaluation studies. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed., pp. 221–240). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (PDF)
Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

W. K. Kellogg Foundation. (2017). The step-by-step guide to evaluation: How to become savvy evaluation consumers. Retrieved from https://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resources/2017/11/the-step-by-step-guide-to-evaluation–how-to-become-savvy-evaluation-consumers

Chapter 4, “Overview of the Evaluation Process That Reflects Evaluation Thinking”
Chapter 5, “Preparing for the Evaluation”
Chapter 6, “Determine Stakeholders and Engage Them in Evaluation”
Chapter 7, “Developing a Logic Model, Evaluation Questions, “Measurement Framework, and Evaluation Plan”
Chapter 8, “Data Collection and Analysis”
Chapter 9, “Summarize, Communicate and Reflection on Evaluation Findings”

 

Ethics And The Law

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When working with clients, it is important to maintain professional boundaries to safeguard both you and your clients. Legislation such as HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics are specific in how you as a social worker should protect client information and safeguard confidentiality. Responding ethically in a professional situation may be clear in most situations, but not necessarily in all situations. Even though you have established laws and code of ethics to guide your decision-making process, you may still face ethical conflicts.

For this Discussion, review the media of the Bradley case and consider how the case relates to social work professional ethics.

Post(2 to 3 pages) the strategy you would use to address the Teen First director’s request if you were the social worker in the Bradley case. Then, describe a hypothetical situation in which an organization’s decision conflicts with your personal/professional ethics but remains within the law. Explain how you would respond to this situation, and why.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

 

Required Readings

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.
Chapter 12, “Addressing Ethics in Leadership” (pp. 308- 335)

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Chapter 16, “Leadership Ethics” (pp. 423–449)

Stephenson, M. O., Jr. (2011). Considering the relationships among social conflict, social imaginaries, resilience, and community-based organization leadership. Ecology and Society, 16(1). Retrieved from http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol16/iss1/art34/

National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx

Reflections On Ethical Leadership

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What does it mean to be an ethical leader? How is ethical leadership demonstrated in social work practice? As a leader in the social work profession, you have to achieve a balance between your professional and personal ethics. At times, these may be aligned with each other, but there may be situations in which they conflict. Because leadership includes value and moral dimensions, your character, actions, and goals as a social work administrator should reflect ethical leadership.

For this Discussion, consider the characteristics of ethical leadership and the challenges associated with practicing ethical leadership.

By Day 4

Post your definition of ethical leadership as it relates to the social work profession. Explain what it means to be an ethical leader and describe the challenges of being an ethical leader.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

 

Required Readings

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.
Chapter 12, “Addressing Ethics in Leadership” (pp. 308- 335)

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Chapter 16, “Leadership Ethics” (pp. 423–449)

Stephenson, M. O., Jr. (2011). Considering the relationships among social conflict, social imaginaries, resilience, and community-based organization leadership. Ecology and Society, 16(1). Retrieved from http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol16/iss1/art34/

National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-

Identify why this population is considered vulnerable.

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Prior  Martin, M. E. (2018). Introduction to human services: Through the eyes of practice settings (4th ed.). Pearson.

to beginning work on this discussion forum, read Chapter 4 of the required text. Identify and discuss one vulnerable population category.

  • Identify why this population is considered vulnerable.
  • Discuss three to four needs of this population, which should be addressed by the human service professional.
    • How have these needs changed in the past 10 years?
    • How might these needs change in 10 more years?
  • View the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs video and discuss how you (as a human service professional) would address these unmet needs with your chosen population.

Your initial post needs to be at least 350 words.

Writing Plan Progress Check 1

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ENG 123 Journal Guidelines and Rubric Overview: The journal activity in this course is private between you and the instructor. However, you will be discussing your work with your topic in future discussions with your peers. This week, you spent some time reflecting on persuasion in your everyday life, and you shared some potential topic ideas with your peers and instructor. But why is persuasion so important? Let’s think about that a little bit in this journal assignment. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

1. After exploring the Opposing Viewpoints Database and reviewing your brainstorming activity, identify two issues that are related to your career or degree:

a. Write a fully developed paragraph for issue one (5–8 sentences). i. Explain at least two clear arguable sides to the issue. ii. Explain how the issue relates to your field or degree, or your potential field or degree.

b. Write a fully developed paragraph for issue two (5–8 sentences). i. Explain at least two clear arguable sides to the issue. ii. Explain how the issue relates to your field or degree, or your potential field or degree.

2. After exploring the arguments related to your issues, take a moment to consider the bigger picture. Then, briefly reflect (in 1 to 2 paragraphs) on the

importance of persuasion for the issue you are most likely to write about. Be specific in your assignment; this information will help guide you as you work on your project in the coming weeks.

a. Identify which side you might argue if you plan to pursue this issue in your final persuasive essay. b. Identify your potential audience and why your topic would be relevant to them.

 

Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Submit the assignment as a Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Issue One Identifies first potential issue that has two clear arguable sides and demonstrates relation to career or degree

Identifies the first potential issue, but it is missing information that explains the two clear arguable sides to the issue or does not demonstrate relation to career or degree

Does not clearly explain why the potential issue was chosen

25

 

 

 

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Issue Two Identifies second potential issue that has two clear arguable sides and demonstrates relation to career or degree

Identifies the second potential issue, but it is missing information that explains the two clear arguable sides to the issue, or does not demonstrate relation to career or degree

Does not clearly explain why the potential issue was chosen

25

Argue Identifies which side might be argued if this issue is pursued in final persuasive essay

Identifies which side might be argued if this issue is pursued in final persuasive essay, but lacks details or does not discuss relation to the potential topic

Does not identify which side might be argued

20

Audience Identifies potential audience and why topic would be relevant to them

Identifies potential audience and why topic would be relevant to them, but discussion contains inaccuracies or lacks details

Does not identify potential audience and does not discuss why topic would be relevant to them

20

Articulation of Response

Journal assignment is mostly free of errors of organization and grammar; existing errors are marginal and rarely interrupt the flow

Journal assignment contains errors of organization and grammar, but they are limited enough that assignment can be understood

Journal assignment contains errors of organization and grammar that make the journal difficult to understand

10

Total 100%

 

 

  • ENG 123 Journal Guidelines and Rubric
    • Rubric

Learning Resources For the Assignment

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Learning Resources For the Assignment

 

1. https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000260187900004&site=eds-live&scope=site

 

2. https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000333089800013&site=eds-live&scope=site

 

3. https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Basic-tasks-for-creating-a-PowerPoint-2013-presentation-efbbc1cd-c5f1-4264-b48e-c8a7b0334e36

 

4. https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000333089800009&site=eds-live&scope=site

 

5. https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000333089800006&site=eds-live&scope=site

 

6. Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Chapter 11, “Group Therapy” (Review pp. 407–428.)

 

7. https://class.content.laureate.net/779022212cf8916045126c033f26674b.pdf

 

8. https://class.content.laureate.net/57f61f74442d169269a11e30faea865d.pdf OR

 

57f61f74442d169269a11e30faea865d.pdf (laureate.net)

 

9. https://class.content.laureate.net/14fefa29573d449c220a549d1b7f1eaf.pdf

 

You will select one of the following articles on group therapy to evaluate for this week’s Assignment.

 

 

https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000351744800001&site=eds-live&scope=site

 

https://class.content.laureate.net/8bfb23756a217d1d07438bb7228d6ad9.pdf

 

https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswsc&AN=000321202000008&site=eds-live&scope=site

 

http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/jocn.12168

 

https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000347877800007&site=eds-live&scope=site

Describe the prototype approach to categorization.

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Describe the prototype approach to categorization. Devine “prototype” and give examples for the category of “clothing”. Mention one item that is high and one item that is low on prototypicality in the clothing category. Then, think of another category, and do the same thing.