After reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Explain the challenges inherent in research abnormal behavior and an approach to overcoming many of these obstacles.
2. Define and distinguish between a primary hypothesis and a null hypothesis.
3. Define and distinguish between independent and dependent variables.
4. Explain the concept of operationalization.
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of case studies.
6. Describe and distinguish among continuous variable, group comparison, cross-sectional, longitudinal, human laboratory, therapy outcome, and animal studies, as well as the strengths and limitations of each type of study.
7. Explain why it is important to have a representative sample.
8. Explain why it can be important to match research participants on certain variables when comparing two groups.
9. Discuss what “significant differences” are between groups, and how significance is determined.
10. Define and distinguish among control groups, placebo control groups, wait list control groups, and experimental groups, and explain the circumstances in which each would be appropriate and why (with regard to therapy outcome studies).
11. Discuss the ethical problems raised by human laboratory, therapy outcome, and animal studies, and ways in which researchers attempt to avoid these problems.
12. Discuss what third variables are and how they may be minimized or eliminated.
13. Discuss the challenges inherent in cross-cultural research.