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Statistical inference for individual organism research: mixed blessing or curse?
1Western Michigan University.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|January 1, 1974
Summary
Statistical significance tests, while intended as aids, can negatively impact experimental psychology. Their application in behavior analysis research may be harmful, despite perceived benefits for control in human studies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Research Methodology
Background:
- Descriptive and inferential statistics serve as judgment aids for scientists.
- The prominence of significance testing in experimental psychology has led to detrimental effects on research practices.
- The experimental analysis of behavior has largely avoided these negative impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the increasing interest in significance tests for individual organism research.
- To address the view that significance tests are valuable for human applied research lacking experimental control.
- To evaluate the potential harms of applying significance tests in behavior analysis.
Main Methods:
- The study critically analyzes the role and impact of statistical significance tests in scientific research.
- It reviews the historical application and influence of these tests in experimental psychology.
- The paper discusses the proposed use of significance tests in the experimental analysis of behavior.
Main Results:
- The emphasis on significance tests has negatively influenced experimental practices in psychology.
- The experimental analysis of behavior has historically been less affected by these issues.
- The perceived need for significance tests in human applied research is questioned.
Conclusions:
- The increasing interest in significance tests for individual organism research is potentially harmful.
- The belief that significance tests are necessary for experimental control in human applied research is flawed.
- Adopting significance tests in behavior analysis could negatively impact the field.
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