Lack of Theory Building and Testing Impedes Progress in The Factor and Network Literature

Psychological Inquiry, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 31(4), С. 271 - 288

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2020

The applied social science literature using factor and network models continues to grow rapidly. Most work reads like an exercise in model fitting, falls short of theory building testing three ways. First, statistical theoretical are conflated, leading invalid inferences such as the existence psychological constructs based on models, or recommendations for clinical interventions models. I demonstrate this inferential gap a simulation: excellent fit does little corroborate theory, regardless quality quantity data. Second, researchers fail explicate theories about constructs, but use implicit causal beliefs guide inferences. These latent have led problematic best practices. Third, explicated often weak theories: imprecise descriptions vulnerable hidden assumptions unknowns. Such do not offer precise predictions, it is unclear whether effects actually not. that these challenges common harmful, impede formation, failure, reform. Matching necessary bring data bear theories, renewed focus psychology formalizing offers way forward.

Язык: Английский

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Revisiting the theoretical and methodological foundations of depression measurement

Nature Reviews Psychology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 1(6), С. 358 - 368

Опубликована: Апрель 14, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Using anchor-based methods to determine the smallest effect size of interest

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 96, С. 104159 - 104159

Опубликована: Май 18, 2021

Effect sizes are an important outcome of quantitative research, but few guidelines exist that explain how researchers can determine which effect meaningful. Psychologists often want to study effects large enough make a difference people's subjective experience. Thus, experience is one way gauge the meaningfulness effect. We propose and illustrate method for quantify smallest subjectively experienced difference—the change in measure individuals consider be meaningful their such they willing rate themselves as feeling different—using anchor-based with global rating question applied positive negative affect scale. provide step-by-step guide questions need deciding whether use method, we explicit assumptions future research examine. For interested experiences, this provides specify size interest, allows interpret observed results terms theoretical practical significance.

Язык: Английский

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Modeling psychopathology: From data models to formal theories.

Psychological Methods, Год журнала: 2021, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Ноя. 4, 2021

Over the past decade, there has been a surge of empirical research investigating mental disorders as complex systems. In this article, we investigate how to best make use growing body and move field toward its fundamental aims explaining, predicting, controlling psychopathology. We first review contemporary philosophy science literature on scientific theories argue that fully achieving explanation, prediction, control requires construct formal disorders: expressed in language mathematics or computational programming language. then three routes by which one can findings (i.e., data models) theories: (a) using models themselves theories, (b) infer (c) comparing theory-implied order evaluate refine an existing theory. third approach is most promising path forward. conclude introducing abductive theory construction (AFTC) framework, informed both our methodological investigation. provides clear way forward for inform generation, development, testing domain psychopathology broader psychological science. (PsycInfo Database Record 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Язык: Английский

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A review of approaches and models in psychopathology conceptualization research

Nature Reviews Psychology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 2(10), С. 622 - 636

Опубликована: Авг. 7, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Future Directions in Youth and Family Treatment Engagement: Finishing the Bridge Between Science and Service

Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 52(2), С. 284 - 309

Опубликована: Фев. 14, 2023

The field has spent more than 50 years investing in the quality of youth mental healthcare, with intervention science yielding roughly 1,300 efficacious treatments. In latter half this period, concurrent efforts implementation have developed effective methods for supporting front-line service organizations and therapists to begin bridge gap. However, many youths families still do not benefit fully from these strategic investments due low treatment engagement: nearly need services pursue them, among those who do, another terminate prematurely. negative impact engagement is substantial, disproportionally inequitably so many. We contend that build a robust "finished" connecting service, must go beyond its two historical foci designing interventions preparing deliver include an intentional focus on participate work therapists. paper, we highlight significance healthcare discuss current state literature related four priorities: conceptualization, theory, measurement, interventions. Next, offer example our own program research as one illustration advancing priorities. Finally, propose recommendations act

Язык: Английский

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The Cronbach’s Alpha of Domain-Specific Knowledge Tests Before and After Learning: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies

Educational Psychology Review, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 37(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 9, 2025

Abstract Knowledge is an important predictor and outcome of learning development. Its measurement challenged by the fact that knowledge can be integrated homogeneous, or fragmented heterogeneous, which change through learning. These characteristics are at odds with current standards for test development, demanding a high internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach's Alphas greater .70). To provide initial empirical base this debate, we conducted meta-analysis tests derived from available data set. Based on 285 effect sizes 55 samples, estimated typical Alpha domain-specific in publications was α = .85, CI90 [.82; .87]. so despite low mean item intercorrelation .22 because were relatively long average bias construction publication process led to underrepresentation Alphas. higher more items, open answers younger age, it increased after interventions throughout languages mathematics than science social sciences/humanities. Generally, varied strongly between different populations characteristics, reflected 90% prediction interval [.35, .96]. We suggest range as guideline researchers expect 20 providing guidelines shorter longer tests. discuss implications our understanding how fixed cut-off values research findings.

Язык: Английский

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Advancing the Understanding of Suicide: The Need for Formal Theory and Rigorous Descriptive Research

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 24(9), С. 704 - 716

Опубликована: Июль 14, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Digital well-being theory and research

New Media & Society, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 26(1), С. 172 - 189

Опубликована: Ноя. 14, 2021

Digital well-being concerns individuals’ subjective in a social environment where digital media are omnipresent. A general framework is developed to integrate empirical research toward cumulative science of the impacts use on well-being. It describes nature and connections between three pivotal constructs: practices, harms/benefits, Individual’s practices arise within shape socio-technical structural conditions, lead often concomitant harms benefits. These pathways theoretically plausible causal chains that from specific manifestation practice an individual well-being-related outcome with some regularity. Future studies should prioritize descriptive validity formal theory development.

Язык: Английский

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Modeling Psychopathology: From Data Models to Formal Theories

Опубликована: Дек. 10, 2019

Over the past decade there has been a surge of empirical research investigating mental disorders as complex systems. In this paper, we investigate how to best make use growing body and move field toward its fundamental aims explaining, predicting, controlling psychopathology. We first review contemporary philosophy science literature on scientific theories argue that fully achieving explanation, prediction, control requires construct formal disorders: expressed in language mathematics or computational programming language. then three routes by which one can findings (i.e., data models) theories: (a) using models themselves theories, (b) infer (c) comparing theory-implied order evaluate refine an existing theory. third approach is most promising path forward. conclude introducing Abductive Formal Theory Construction (AFTC) framework, informed both our methodological investigation. provides clear way forward for inform generation, development, testing domain psychopathology broader psychological science.

Язык: Английский

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