Wagner, J. & Rehfuss, M. Research Proposal

Total Length: 867 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 3

Dependent variables include symptom reduction. The research design is not experimental; rather, the researchers analyze past literature related to pharmacological interventions for various personality disorders. The sample size and selection methods are adequate, and the statistical analyses are sound. A graph would ideally differentiate between the different personality disorders and the different intellectual disabilities to reveal patterns.

The research design does not take into account the need to differentiate between different personality disorders or intellectual disorders -- or how those diagnoses are related. External validity problems stem from the overgeneralization problems and the vagueness: too many variables are included in the one research design. The results are adequately and correctly reported, but with insufficient detail. Narrowing the study to a narrower question would have helped. Moreover, the author does not actually mention why the research is necessary other than to promote the use of pharmacological interventions among a population diagnosed with both an intellectual disability and a personality disorder. The article is a worthy systematic analysis of research but has little to offer the clinical community.

Lyon, M.E., Benoit, M., O'Donnell, R.M. Getson, P.R., Silber, T & Walsh, T. (nd). Assessing African-American adolescents' risk for suicide attempts: attachment theory.

The title of the article reveals the population, the research question, and the theoretical underpinning of the research and is therefore highly appropriate.
The abstract lists predictor variables as well as outlining the hypothesis and research methodology and is also adequate. The research problem centers on how attachment theory might explain suicide attempts in the African-American community, but also takes into account other situational variables. The primary independent variable is attempted suicide. Dependent variables included threat of separation from parents but insomnia and other variables were taken into account. Population sample included 38 African-American suicide attempters and 76 controls. Although the decision to focus on African-American youth was sound, the experimental group should have been twice as large. Statistical analyses were appropriate for the study. A graph representing the research would have listed the causal factors on one axis.

Internal validity is relatively strong, even though a larger sample size would have enhanced internal validity. External validity is also strong, but it would also be helpful to find out what variables caused differences between African-American youth threatened with parental separation that did or did not attempt suicide. Results are adequately and correctly reported, and the purpose of the study is clarified well: the results reveal methods of helping social workers and psychologists recognize risk factors among African-American youth. The article is worthy because it illuminates risk factors among a specific population group......

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Wagner J & Rehfuss M " (2009, April 23) Retrieved July 1, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/wagner-j-rehfuss-m-22571

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Wagner J & Rehfuss M " 23 April 2009. Web.1 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/wagner-j-rehfuss-m-22571>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Wagner J & Rehfuss M ", 23 April 2009, Accessed.1 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/wagner-j-rehfuss-m-22571