Testing in Applied Research

Testing in Applied Research

[WLO: 2] [CLO: 1]

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, review the following resources:

• Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 in your text
• Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, And IntersectionalityLinks to an external site.
• Teleassessment With Children and Adolescents During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and Beyond: Practice and Policy ImplicationsLinks to an external site.
• Review the free tests available through the Authentic Happiness: Questionnaire CenterLinks to an external site..
  • To access the tests, you will be required to register for a free account. Select at least three tests to take or review the test items. You are not required to share the actual results of any test you choose to take.

Psychological tests are utilized in applied research for a variety of reasons. Tests can be used to select subjects to participate in experiments, to measure confounding variables, to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and interventions, or to determine psychometric properties such as validity of other tests.

In this assignment, you will consider the topic of measuring happiness in applied research. There is an extensive body of research on happiness and many measures of happiness and related constructs have been developed for research use. You will then write a paper that should model critical thought.

To successfully complete this assignment, organize your paper in the following manner using each of the headings provided below in boldface.

Introduction

Compose a one-paragraph introduction as described in the University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center’s resource, Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site..

Applied Research Project Summary

In your summary,

• Create a one-paragraph overview describing an applied research project related to measuring happiness. Include a research question and a hypothesis.
• Identify who your subjects will be (e.g., children in Grades 4 to 6, incarcerated adults, clients in PTSD group therapy program, corporate CEOs, middle managers, first responders). This list is not exhaustive.
  • Feel free to identify and discuss other subject populations for your project. Although not required, if you have studied research methods and are employing an experimental design, you are encouraged to identify your independent and dependent variables. You are also encouraged to propose your research project on a topic that is relevant to a field you would consider pursuing for your personal career.

Assessing Happiness and Related Constructs

In this section,

• List at least three questionnaires selected from the Authentic Happiness: Questionnaire CenterLinks to an external site. to include in your project.
• Summarize in one sentence what each test purports to measure.
• Explain how you will utilize the test in your study (e.g., subject selection, evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention, determining the validity of another instrument utilized elsewhere in your study or program, symptom monitoring).

Validity Concerns

In this section,

• Define each of the following terms using only the textbook, the instructor guidance, and scholarly sources in the order listed here: content validity, criterion-related validity, concurrent validity, construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and face validity.
  • Do not use Wikipedia, encyclopedias, dictionaries, or blogs for your definitions.
• Discuss how each type of validity might apply to your research project or to the questionnaires you selected. You may present the validity information as a bulleted list, a table, chart, or figure.
• Justify why you believe the tests you selected are appropriate and valid for the subjects on which you will base your research. If you are unable to justify the test as being appropriate and valid for a specific group, clearly state what the validity concerns are.
  • Apply information from the article Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, And IntersectionalityLinks to an external site..

Conclusions

Compose a one-paragraph conclusion as described in the University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center’s resource Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site..

In your conclusion, include any ethical concerns related to conducting your proposed research project and how knowledge obtained from your study could be utilized in an applied context.

The Testing in Applied Research paper

• Must be one to two  double-spaced pages in length plus a title page and at least one additional page for references (a total four to five pages). Your assignment must be formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft Word Links to an external site.resource.
• Must include a separate title page with the following:
  • Title of paper in bold font
    • Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
  • Student’s name
  • Name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Due date