Research Methods in Child Psychology — Chapter 3 Summary from Mash & Wolfe
Research Methods in Child Psychology — Chapter 3 Summary from Mash & Wolfe How do psychologists uncover the causes of mental health issues in children? In Chapter 3 of Child Psychopathology by Eric J. Mash and David A. Wolfe, we explore the research methods that help distinguish science from pseudoscience, design effective studies, and ensure ethical treatment of child participants. Science vs. Pseudoscience: Knowing the Difference The chapter opens with a critical distinction: real science relies on empirical data, peer review, and reproducibility, whereas pseudoscience depends on anecdotal evidence and untested theories. One striking example is Facilitated Communication (FC) , a debunked technique once thought to help nonverbal children communicate but ultimately shown to lack scientific validity. The Research Process in Psychology Scientific research follows a multistage process: Forming a hypothesis : A testable prediction about a psychological relationship or ...