PSYCHOLOGY 402: PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Gerardo M. González

Spring 2002

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Each team must develop experimental procedures for their respective research project. A facilitator from each team is responsible for submitting a typewritten clean copy of the codebook on April 9.

The experimental procedures must include standardized instructions for introducing the study, obtaining informed consent, describing the experimental methods of the study, addressing participant questions, and presenting a formal debriefing.

In developing the standardized experimental procedures, address the following:

Oral Informed Consent

Informed consent is conducted prior to the interview to insure that the volunteer understands the procedures s/he will undertake by agreeing to participate. The team’s informed consent script must address the following:

a) Introducing and identifying the experimenter

b) An explanation (for the participant) of the study procedures.

c) Explaining confidentiality and anonymity.

d) Clarifying that participation is voluntary.

e) Addressing participant questions and concerns.

Methods

Describe the experimental methods of the study (for the instructor) by addressing the following:

a) Identify the target sample.

b) Procedures for recruitment.

c) All instruments to be administered.

d) Procedures and sequence for administration of the surveys (e.g., randomized ordering of surveys).

e) Insuring patient confidentiality and anonymity.

Debriefing

Debriefing is conducted immediately after the participant completes all the surveys. Describe the participant debriefing script by addressing the following:

a) An explanation of the study objectives.

b) What the participant may learn from participating in your study.

c) How the participant data will be analyzed and interpreted with respect to the hypotheses.

d) Addressing ethical issues and concerns.

e) Answering participant questions (referring questions to the instructor, if necessary).

The team facilitator responsible for assembling the experimental procedures must submit a clean typewritten copy on April 9. The experimental procedures should be a minimum 250 words. The procedures will be scored on a 5-point scale. The points will be assigned to the team as a whole.

The following is an example for obtaining oral informed consent (add specifics for the team study).

"Hello, my name is . I am a psychology student at California State University, San Marcos. For my psychology class, I am involved in a project to develop an attitudinal questionnaire about (say more) . The project is strictly for educational purposes. I am gathering data by requesting individuals, such as you, to voluntarily complete these questionnaires. Completing the questionnaires will only take minutes. The questionnaires will be anonymous; thus there is no need to write your name anywhere. Also, your responses are confidential and will be kept in this sealed envelope. You are free to decline or withdraw from participation at any time. Your cooperation will be deeply appreciated. Do you agree to participate in this survey?"