Category: Psychology

  • [Solved] 6202-3a

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  • [Solved] Article Critique

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    Article Critique Paper based on the following article *uploaded as a file* INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAPER ATTACHED, ARTICLE ATTACHED \ ArticleCritiqueInstructions_Summer25_Reflection.docx](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/articlecritiqueinstructions-summer25-reflection-docx "ArticleCritiqueInstructions…

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    Article Critique Paper based on the following article *uploaded as a file*
    INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAPER ATTACHED, ARTICLE ATTACHED
    \
    ArticleCritiqueInstructions_Summer25_Reflection.docx](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/articlecritiqueinstructions-summer25-reflection-docx "ArticleCritiqueInstructions_Summer25_Reflection.docx")
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  • [Solved] One Student Reponse (350-400 Words)

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    Locate and review one of the articles a classmate critiqued. Then, review the critique itself. Respond to your classmate and provide constructive feedback on his or her critique.

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    Locate and review one of the articles a classmate critiqued. Then, review the critique itself. Respond to your classmate and provide constructive feedback on his or her critique.

  • [Solved] Two Student Responses (300-400) Words

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    **Respond to** at least **two** of your colleagues’ posts (on different days) by suggesting additional keywords, subject terms, databases, and/or resources for their research problem. Support your suggestions with a link to your suggested ideas. **Note:** Your responses to colleagues should be subst…

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    **Respond to** at least **two** of your colleagues’ posts (on different days) by suggesting additional keywords, subject terms, databases, and/or resources for their research problem. Support your suggestions with a link to your suggested ideas.
    **Note:** Your responses to colleagues should be substantial (250 words minimum), supported with scholarly evidence from your research and/or the Learning Resources, and properly cited using APA style. Your responses should enrich the initial post by supporting and/or adding a fresh viewpoint and be constructive, enhancing the learning experience for all students.

  • [Solved] Psychology homework

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  • [Solved] Psychology homework

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  • [Solved] Foundations and Themes & Theories I/O_WK2_Responses

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    – ## Week2.Discussion.Response.IndividualDifferences.Assessment.JobAnalysis.Selection.andStaffing.docx – ## Week2.DiscussionOne_Responses.docx **## Week2.Discussion.Response.IndividualDifferences.Assessment.JobAnalysis.Selection.andStaffing.docx** INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the colleague's discussion…

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    – ## Week2.Discussion.Response.IndividualDifferences.Assessment.JobAnalysis.Selection.andStaffing.docx

    – ## Week2.DiscussionOne_Responses.docx

    **## Week2.Discussion.Response.IndividualDifferences.Assessment.JobAnalysis.Selection.andStaffing.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the colleague's discussion posts below.

    Cassandra P.

    **Role of Assessments in I/O Psychology**

    In the world of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, assessments play a major role in helping companies make smarter hiring decisions. Instead of relying on gut instincts or surface-level impressions, employers can use assessments, like cognitive ability tests, personality inventories, and structured interviews, to get a clearer, evidence-based understanding of what each candidate brings to the table (Beier, Young, & Villado, 2018; Viswesvaran & Ones, 2018). These tools are especially useful because they're designed to measure job-relevant characteristics, not just resume fluff.

    A key focus of many assessments is evaluating knowledge, skills, and abilities, what we call KSAs. These are essentially the core ingredients that help someone succeed in a given role. When employers use assessments to measure KSAs, they're more likely to find people who not only meet the requirements but are also ready to thrive in the position. That's especially true for demanding jobs where getting the wrong person can have big consequences.

    **KSA's for The Role: Catastrophe Claims Manager**

    Let's look at a real-world example, my role as a catastrophe claims manager in the insurance industry. This job kicks into gear after major disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes. The person in this role has to investigate large property losses, coordinate teams, and communicate with customers who are often going through one of the worst experiences of their lives. It's a fast-paced, high-pressure job that requires more than just technical knowledge.

    Three critical KSAs stand out for this role. First, cognitive ability and problem-solving are key because these managers need to quickly evaluate complex situations and make fair, informed decisions. Schmidt (2014) points out that cognitive ability is one of the best predictors of job performance across industries. Second, emotional resilience and strong interpersonal communication are essential, especially when dealing with distressed customers and leading teams in chaotic environments. And third, a deep understanding of insurance policies and state regulations is necessary to handle claims accurately and stay compliant.

    **Assessing Candidates for These KSAs**

    If I were hiring for this position, I wouldn't rely on just one test, I'd go with a combination of assessments to get a full picture of each candidate's strengths. I'd start with a cognitive ability test to measure how well someone can think critically, solve problems, and learn new information. These tests have a strong track record of predicting job success, although they should be used carefully to avoid disadvantaging candidates unfamiliar with formal testing (Schmidt, 2014).

    Next, I'd use a personality inventory, like the HEXACO or Hogan Personality Inventory. These tools help evaluate traits like emotional stability, conscientiousness, and honesty, traits that are incredibly important in high-stress roles like catastrophe claims. As Lee and Ashton (2018) note, personality assessments can offer insight into how someone might behave under pressure, and Hogan and Holland (2003) highlight their value in predicting leadership and team fit.

    To round things out, I'd use structured behavioral interviews. These interviews ask candidates to describe how they've handled real-life situations, like managing a difficult customer or responding to an emergency. Campion, Palmer, and Campion (2018) explain that structured interviews are more reliable and legally defensible than casual ones, making them a solid choice for hiring. I'd also include a short job knowledge test to confirm that the candidate understands insurance policies, claim processes, and relevant regulations (Beier et al., 2018).

    **Putting It All Together**

    The best approach isn't to rely on just one assessment, it's to use several that complement each other. This multimethod strategy gives a more complete and balanced view of each candidate. Cognitive ability tests help identify analytical thinkers. Personality inventories shine a light on emotional resilience and teamwork. Structured interviews show how someone has handled tough situations in the past, and job knowledge tests confirm that they understand the technical side of the role.

    Using these tools together increases the odds of hiring someone who's not just qualified on paper, but ready to thrive in a demanding, high-pressure job. As Schmidt (2014) explains, the combination of cognitive ability and personality traits leads to more consistent, effective performance. In a role like catastrophe claims manager, that's exactly what organizations need, someone who can think fast, stay calm, and lead others through chaos. Assessments take the guesswork out of hiring and create a fairer, more effective process for both the company and the candidates.

    **References**

    Beier, M. E., Young, C. S., & Villado, A. J. (2018). Job knowledge: Its definition, development, and measurement. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 279–298). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    Campion, M. A., Palmer, D. K., & Campion, J. E. (2018). A review of structure in the selection interview. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 235–254). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    Hogan, J., & Holland, B. (2003). Using theory to evaluate personality and job-performance relations: A socioanalytic perspective.
    _Journal of Applied Psychology, 88_(1), 100–112.
    [https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.100Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.100)

    Lee, K., & Ashton, M. C. (2018). The HEXACO personality inventory: Development, validity, and practical applications.
    _European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 34_(3), 140–151.
    [https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000364Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000364)

    Schmidt, F. L. (2014). Personality and cognitive ability as predictors of effective performance at work.
    _Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1_(1), 45–65.
    [https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091255Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091255)

    Viswesvaran, C., & Ones, D. S. (2018). Non-test methods and techniques used in employee selection. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 451–473). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **## Week2.DiscussionOne_Responses.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two colleagues' discussion posts.

    Madeline M.

    **Article Topics**

    After reflecting on the article topics to search for, I decided to stay general in regard to evidence based coaching. I do have an interest in non-profit organizations within this specialization, which one article reflects, however; I am still open to niche focuses within evidenced based coaching and organizational development. To find the two articles, I entered
    _evidenced-based coaching AND organizational development_ into APA PsychInfo database and Google search engine with the addition of the word
    _articles_.

    **Walden Library Article**

    Boysen, Arya, and Page (2021) wrote
    _Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_ by Oxford Brookes University; found utilizing the Walden Library resource APA PsycInfo (Walden University, 2015b). The authors, affiliated with Lewis University and Christian Brothers Services, use a case study approach and employee survey data to examine how coaching strategies contribute to a positive organizational culture in a nonprofit setting.

    **Google Article**

    Bond and Seneque (2013) authored an article titled
    _Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _Journal of Management Development;_ found utilizing Google search engine and located with through this URL –
    [https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/htmlLinks to an external site.](https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/html). The authors—Christopher Bond from Roehampton University and Megan Seneque from Catholic Earthcare Australia—develop a theoretical framework to distinguish coaching from other management practices using cognitive mapping and grounded theory.

    **Comparison**

    While both articles focus on coaching within organizations, their approaches differ significantly. Bond and Seneque (2013) take a conceptual stance, offering a theoretical comparison between coaching and other common management practices such as: consulting, mentoring, and facilitation. In contrast, Boysen et al. (2021) present a practical, real-world example of coaching implementation, emphasizing how coaching fosters leadership development, open communication, and employee engagement. Together, the articles provide complementary insights into both the theoretical underpinnings and applied value of coaching in organizational development.

    **Peer Reviewed Articles**

    Using peer-reviewed sources strengthens the quality and credibility of scholarly writing by ensuring the evidence presented has been critically evaluated by experts in the field. Walden University (2015) reports peer-reviewed articles undergo a rigorous editorial process assessing the validity of their research methods, the reliability of their findings, and their contributions to academic discipline. As a result, citing these sources demonstrates arguments are based on well-supported, trustworthy scholarship rather than opinion or unverified claims.

    In the mentioned research articles, both Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021) are peer-reviewed articles, lending academic rigor and authority to the discussion of coaching as a method for organizational development.

    **Evidence for Supporting Ideas and Improvements to Scholarly Writing**

    Both articles, Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021), are peer reviewed resources for someone wanting to strengthen the quality and credibility of their scholarly writing. As a professional in the field of psychology, I would use the article by Boysen et al. (2021) as evidence to support my ideas, particularly when discussing the real-world application and outcomes of coaching in organizational settings. Boysen et al. (2021) article offers empirical insight through employee surveys and organizational feedback, making it highly relevant to evidence-based coaching in I/O psychology. Its emphasis on fostering a coaching culture, enhancing communication, and promoting leadership development aligns with psychological principles of motivation, self-efficacy, and workplace well-being (Boysen et al., 2021). Using this peer-reviewed article strengthens my scholarly writing by grounding my arguments in research that has undergone rigorous academic review, ensuring the information is credible, methodologically sound, and reflective of current professional standards. By integrating peer-reviewed evidence, I can present more persuasive and academically defensible claims that contribute meaningfully to the larger conversation within the field of I/O psychology.

    **References:**

    APA PsychInfo. (2025).
    _Research databases: EBSCO_. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. |
    [www.ebsco.comLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/).
    [https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databasesLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases)

    Bond, C., & Seneque, M. (2012). Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development.
    _Journal of Management Development_,
    _32_(1), 57–72.
    [https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026)

    Boysen, S. M., Arya, T., & Page, L. (2021). Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit.
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_,
    _19_(2), 115–132.

    OASIS. (2020, June 29).
    _Reading a research article assigned as coursework_. Walden University.
    [https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-courseworkLinks to an external site.](https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-coursework)

    Walden University. (2015a).
    _Foundations – library resources: Identifying & evaluating online resources_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluating)

    Walden University. (2015b).
    _Foundations – library resources: Introduction to the Walden University library_.
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibraryLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibrary)

    Walden University. (2015c).
    _Peer review: General information_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-reviewLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-review)

    · Reply to post from Madeline Myers
    **Reply**

    · Mark as Unread
    **Mark as Unread**

    Kevin D.

    Hi All,
    I hope all is progressing well.

    **Brief Description** The peer-reviewed articles assess parameters of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters involving situations of an employment environment internal and external from the environment. More so, the articles discuss the extent of which such parameters receive publication attention as well as address how significantly applying research of I/O Psychology enhances validity to better estimate any occurrences as well as outcomes. The entwining of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters proves extremely substantial to ensuring more equitable parameters regarding employment in line with evidentially supporting safer, more harmless, environments, lawfully. Even more so, the articles assess how I/O Psychology makes evidential sense through legal parameters in connection with employment, how perceptions of I/O Psychology are somewhat favorable legally, and how I/O Psychology is applicable across industries, beneficially.

    **Differences** The differences between the forms of representation for I/O Psychology through the resources I uncover are most easily recognizable context wise, purpose wise. If one is to engage with deciding which audience may benefit from a particular form of information then one may recognize differing possibilities with each form of representation of I/O Psychology. As one may gather from Walden's Oasis about scholarly journals, "Their purpose is to advance scholarship in that field by publishing in-depth research studies" (Walden, 2025), and about trade publications, "The intent is to share industry news, trends, and advances" (Walden, 2025). Even as one may be able to find particular information within an informational source as evidentially supportive of what one may be seeking to further explore, acknowledging one's audience as well as one's intent with the information is extremely important.

    1. Even the scholarly journals have different approaches to informing the field though both side on integrating parameters of I/O Psychologically legally on the basis of evidence robust research.

    2. The trade publication is very informative as well as entertaining visually, seemingly operating like a popular magazine except does not fit the criteria of which a description of what a popular magazine is via Walden's Oasis, "written by journalists to inform or entertain the general public…current events, celebrities, sports, fashion, etc." (Walden, 2025).

    3. Not all of them are presentable in their current formats as easily as the other, though much may rely on the presenter, likely due to each serving different purposes, especially considering authorial intent(s).

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Industrial/Organizational Psychology and the Federal Judiciary: Expert Witness Testimony and the
    _Daubert_ Standards" by Peter H. Wingate and George C. Thornton III in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1 February 2004

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Psychology, Law, and the Workplace: An Overview and Introduction to the Special Issue" by Margaret Bull Kovera in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1, February 2004

    (Trade Publication—Ask Jeeves) EYE ON PSI CHI; https://www.psichi.org/page/153EyeSpr11cZinn

    (Presentation—Ask Jeeves) Using I-O Psychology to Challenge Criminal Record Barriers;
    [https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/Links to an external site.](https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/)

    (Other Notable Differences; writing style—between scholarly, technical, and conversational; language—between assuming a scholarly background, technical, industry jargon, easily accessible; authorship—between experts, scholars, specialists, professionals; audience—between students, researchers, scholars, professionals, practitioners, and the general public)

    **Argument Improving** I think assessing articles of peer reviews allows for being in tune with language progressing the field, so as to further better communicate with individuals engaging with such contexts of the field. Evidence of language awareness may be extremely helpful to navigate areas of a field, beyond seemingly distant observation, even considering one may know all there is to ever know of a field. Communicating with language of a field may more easily assist with bolstering a field as well as with necessarily expanding language of a field.

    As a professional in the field of psychology, I will likely acknowledge all parameters of publications. There are different audiences that necessitate different forms of representation of information to better comprehend what is necessary to comprehend. What may make sense to present in a court room, may prove vastly different from what may be seemingly necessary to present to the field for furthering progress of the field, which may prove vastly different presentation-wise for what may seemingly be necessary for a group of individuals of the legal industry within physical legal parameters, outside of a courtroom. More so, attending to the future of a field well means acknowledgement of a necessity for recruiting well, so presenting information of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters to students, individuals, deciding between career paths may necessitate a different approach. Additionally, as a professional in the field of psychology, I find being aware of the parameters of publishing extremely necessary, so as to better proactively engage parameters of psychology, communicatively.

    Onward and Upward,
    Kevin Dufresne

    **References**
    Walden University. (2015d).
    [Evaluating resources: Resource typesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating). Retrieved from
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating)

    Walden University. (2015d).
    [JournalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals). Retrieved from
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals)

    **## Week2.DiscussionOne_Responses.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two colleagues' discussion posts.

    Madeline M.

    **Article Topics**

    After reflecting on the article topics to search for, I decided to stay general in regard to evidence based coaching. I do have an interest in non-profit organizations within this specialization, which one article reflects, however; I am still open to niche focuses within evidenced based coaching and organizational development. To find the two articles, I entered
    _evidenced-based coaching AND organizational development_ into APA PsychInfo database and Google search engine with the addition of the word
    _articles_.

    **Walden Library Article**

    Boysen, Arya, and Page (2021) wrote
    _Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_ by Oxford Brookes University; found utilizing the Walden Library resource APA PsycInfo (Walden University, 2015b). The authors, affiliated with Lewis University and Christian Brothers Services, use a case study approach and employee survey data to examine how coaching strategies contribute to a positive organizational culture in a nonprofit setting.

    **Google Article**

    Bond and Seneque (2013) authored an article titled
    _Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _Journal of Management Development;_ found utilizing Google search engine and located with through this URL –
    [https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/htmlLinks to an external site.](https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/html). The authors—Christopher Bond from Roehampton University and Megan Seneque from Catholic Earthcare Australia—develop a theoretical framework to distinguish coaching from other management practices using cognitive mapping and grounded theory.

    **Comparison**

    While both articles focus on coaching within organizations, their approaches differ significantly. Bond and Seneque (2013) take a conceptual stance, offering a theoretical comparison between coaching and other common management practices such as: consulting, mentoring, and facilitation. In contrast, Boysen et al. (2021) present a practical, real-world example of coaching implementation, emphasizing how coaching fosters leadership development, open communication, and employee engagement. Together, the articles provide complementary insights into both the theoretical underpinnings and applied value of coaching in organizational development.

    **Peer Reviewed Articles**

    Using peer-reviewed sources strengthens the quality and credibility of scholarly writing by ensuring the evidence presented has been critically evaluated by experts in the field. Walden University (2015) reports peer-reviewed articles undergo a rigorous editorial process assessing the validity of their research methods, the reliability of their findings, and their contributions to academic discipline. As a result, citing these sources demonstrates arguments are based on well-supported, trustworthy scholarship rather than opinion or unverified claims.

    In the mentioned research articles, both Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021) are peer-reviewed articles, lending academic rigor and authority to the discussion of coaching as a method for organizational development.

    **Evidence for Supporting Ideas and Improvements to Scholarly Writing**

    Both articles, Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021), are peer reviewed resources for someone wanting to strengthen the quality and credibility of their scholarly writing. As a professional in the field of psychology, I would use the article by Boysen et al. (2021) as evidence to support my ideas, particularly when discussing the real-world application and outcomes of coaching in organizational settings. Boysen et al. (2021) article offers empirical insight through employee surveys and organizational feedback, making it highly relevant to evidence-based coaching in I/O psychology. Its emphasis on fostering a coaching culture, enhancing communication, and promoting leadership development aligns with psychological principles of motivation, self-efficacy, and workplace well-being (Boysen et al., 2021). Using this peer-reviewed article strengthens my scholarly writing by grounding my arguments in research that has undergone rigorous academic review, ensuring the information is credible, methodologically sound, and reflective of current professional standards. By integrating peer-reviewed evidence, I can present more persuasive and academically defensible claims that contribute meaningfully to the larger conversation within the field of I/O psychology.

    **References:**

    APA PsychInfo. (2025).
    _Research databases: EBSCO_. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. |
    [www.ebsco.comLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/).
    [https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databasesLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases)

    Bond, C., & Seneque, M. (2012). Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development.
    _Journal of Management Development_,
    _32_(1), 57–72.
    [https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026)

    Boysen, S. M., Arya, T., & Page, L. (2021). Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit.
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_,
    _19_(2), 115–132.

    OASIS. (2020, June 29).
    _Reading a research article assigned as coursework_. Walden University.
    [https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-courseworkLinks to an external site.](https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-coursework)

    Walden University. (2015a).
    _Foundations – library resources: Identifying & evaluating online resources_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluating)

    Walden University. (2015b).
    _Foundations – library resources: Introduction to the Walden University library_.
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibraryLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibrary)

    Walden University. (2015c).
    _Peer review: General information_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-reviewLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-review)

    · Reply to post from Madeline Myers
    **Reply**

    · Mark as Unread
    **Mark as Unread**

    Kevin D.

    Hi All,
    I hope all is progressing well.

    **Brief Description** The peer-reviewed articles assess parameters of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters involving situations of an employment environment internal and external from the environment. More so, the articles discuss the extent of which such parameters receive publication attention as well as address how significantly applying research of I/O Psychology enhances validity to better estimate any occurrences as well as outcomes. The entwining of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters proves extremely substantial to ensuring more equitable parameters regarding employment in line with evidentially supporting safer, more harmless, environments, lawfully. Even more so, the articles assess how I/O Psychology makes evidential sense through legal parameters in connection with employment, how perceptions of I/O Psychology are somewhat favorable legally, and how I/O Psychology is applicable across industries, beneficially.

    **Differences** The differences between the forms of representation for I/O Psychology through the resources I uncover are most easily recognizable context wise, purpose wise. If one is to engage with deciding which audience may benefit from a particular form of information then one may recognize differing possibilities with each form of representation of I/O Psychology. As one may gather from Walden's Oasis about scholarly journals, "Their purpose is to advance scholarship in that field by publishing in-depth research studies" (Walden, 2025), and about trade publications, "The intent is to share industry news, trends, and advances" (Walden, 2025). Even as one may be able to find particular information within an informational source as evidentially supportive of what one may be seeking to further explore, acknowledging one's audience as well as one's intent with the information is extremely important.

    1. Even the scholarly journals have different approaches to informing the field though both side on integrating parameters of I/O Psychologically legally on the basis of evidence robust research.

    2. The trade publication is very informative as well as entertaining visually, seemingly operating like a popular magazine except does not fit the criteria of which a description of what a popular magazine is via Walden's Oasis, "written by journalists to inform or entertain the general public…current events, celebrities, sports, fashion, etc." (Walden, 2025).

    3. Not all of them are presentable in their current formats as easily as the other, though much may rely on the presenter, likely due to each serving different purposes, especially considering authorial intent(s).

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Industrial/Organizational Psychology and the Federal Judiciary: Expert Witness Testimony and the
    _Daubert_ Standards" by Peter H. Wingate and George C. Thornton III in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1 February 2004

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Psychology, Law, and the Workplace: An Overview and Introduction to the Special Issue" by Margaret Bull Kovera in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1, February 2004

    (Trade Publication—Ask Jeeves) EYE ON PSI CHI; https://www.psichi.org/page/153EyeSpr11cZinn

    (Presentation—Ask Jeeves) Using I-O Psychology to Challenge Criminal Record Barriers;
    [https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/Links to an external site.](https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/)

    (Other Notable Differences; writing style—between scholarly, technical, and conversational; language—between assuming a scholarly background, technical, industry jargon, easily accessible; authorship—between experts, scholars, specialists, professionals; audience—between students, researchers, scholars, professionals, practitioners, and the general public)

    **Argument Improving** I think assessing articles of peer reviews allows for being in tune with language progressing the field, so as to further better communicate with individuals engaging with such contexts of the field. Evidence of language awareness may be extremely helpful to navigate areas of a field, beyond seemingly distant observation, even considering one may know all there is to ever know of a field. Communicating with language of a field may more easily assist with bolstering a field as well as with necessarily expanding language of a field.

    As a professional in the field of psychology, I will likely acknowledge all parameters of publications. There are different audiences that necessitate different forms of representation of information to better comprehend what is necessary to comprehend. What may make sense to present in a court room, may prove vastly different from what may be seemingly necessary to present to the field for furthering progress of the field, which may prove vastly different presentation-wise for what may seemingly be necessary for a group of individuals of the legal industry within physical legal parameters, outside of a courtroom. More so, attending to the future of a field well means acknowledgement of a necessity for recruiting well, so presenting information of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters to students, individuals, deciding between career paths may necessitate a different approach. Additionally, as a professional in the field of psychology, I find being aware of the parameters of publishing extremely necessary, so as to better proactively engage parameters of psychology, communicatively.

    Onward and Upward,
    Kevin Dufresne

    **References**
    Walden University. (2015d).
    [Evaluating resources: Resource typesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating). Retrieved from
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating)

    Walden University. (2015d).
    [JournalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals). Retrieved from
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals)

    **## Week2.Discussion.Response.IndividualDifferences.Assessment.JobAnalysis.Selection.andStaffing.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the colleague's discussion posts below.

    Cassandra P.

    **Role of Assessments in I/O Psychology**

    In the world of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, assessments play a major role in helping companies make smarter hiring decisions. Instead of relying on gut instincts or surface-level impressions, employers can use assessments, like cognitive ability tests, personality inventories, and structured interviews, to get a clearer, evidence-based understanding of what each candidate brings to the table (Beier, Young, & Villado, 2018; Viswesvaran & Ones, 2018). These tools are especially useful because they're designed to measure job-relevant characteristics, not just resume fluff.

    A key focus of many assessments is evaluating knowledge, skills, and abilities, what we call KSAs. These are essentially the core ingredients that help someone succeed in a given role. When employers use assessments to measure KSAs, they're more likely to find people who not only meet the requirements but are also ready to thrive in the position. That's especially true for demanding jobs where getting the wrong person can have big consequences.

    **KSA's for The Role: Catastrophe Claims Manager**

    Let's look at a real-world example, my role as a catastrophe claims manager in the insurance industry. This job kicks into gear after major disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes. The person in this role has to investigate large property losses, coordinate teams, and communicate with customers who are often going through one of the worst experiences of their lives. It's a fast-paced, high-pressure job that requires more than just technical knowledge.

    Three critical KSAs stand out for this role. First, cognitive ability and problem-solving are key because these managers need to quickly evaluate complex situations and make fair, informed decisions. Schmidt (2014) points out that cognitive ability is one of the best predictors of job performance across industries. Second, emotional resilience and strong interpersonal communication are essential, especially when dealing with distressed customers and leading teams in chaotic environments. And third, a deep understanding of insurance policies and state regulations is necessary to handle claims accurately and stay compliant.

    **Assessing Candidates for These KSAs**

    If I were hiring for this position, I wouldn't rely on just one test, I'd go with a combination of assessments to get a full picture of each candidate's strengths. I'd start with a cognitive ability test to measure how well someone can think critically, solve problems, and learn new information. These tests have a strong track record of predicting job success, although they should be used carefully to avoid disadvantaging candidates unfamiliar with formal testing (Schmidt, 2014).

    Next, I'd use a personality inventory, like the HEXACO or Hogan Personality Inventory. These tools help evaluate traits like emotional stability, conscientiousness, and honesty, traits that are incredibly important in high-stress roles like catastrophe claims. As Lee and Ashton (2018) note, personality assessments can offer insight into how someone might behave under pressure, and Hogan and Holland (2003) highlight their value in predicting leadership and team fit.

    To round things out, I'd use structured behavioral interviews. These interviews ask candidates to describe how they've handled real-life situations, like managing a difficult customer or responding to an emergency. Campion, Palmer, and Campion (2018) explain that structured interviews are more reliable and legally defensible than casual ones, making them a solid choice for hiring. I'd also include a short job knowledge test to confirm that the candidate understands insurance policies, claim processes, and relevant regulations (Beier et al., 2018).

    **Putting It All Together**

    The best approach isn't to rely on just one assessment, it's to use several that complement each other. This multimethod strategy gives a more complete and balanced view of each candidate. Cognitive ability tests help identify analytical thinkers. Personality inventories shine a light on emotional resilience and teamwork. Structured interviews show how someone has handled tough situations in the past, and job knowledge tests confirm that they understand the technical side of the role.

    Using these tools together increases the odds of hiring someone who's not just qualified on paper, but ready to thrive in a demanding, high-pressure job. As Schmidt (2014) explains, the combination of cognitive ability and personality traits leads to more consistent, effective performance. In a role like catastrophe claims manager, that's exactly what organizations need, someone who can think fast, stay calm, and lead others through chaos. Assessments take the guesswork out of hiring and create a fairer, more effective process for both the company and the candidates.

    **References**

    Beier, M. E., Young, C. S., & Villado, A. J. (2018). Job knowledge: Its definition, development, and measurement. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 279–298). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    Campion, M. A., Palmer, D. K., & Campion, J. E. (2018). A review of structure in the selection interview. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 235–254). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    Hogan, J., & Holland, B. (2003). Using theory to evaluate personality and job-performance relations: A socioanalytic perspective.
    _Journal of Applied Psychology, 88_(1), 100–112.
    [https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.100Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.100)

    Lee, K., & Ashton, M. C. (2018). The HEXACO personality inventory: Development, validity, and practical applications.
    _European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 34_(3), 140–151.
    [https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000364Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000364)

    Schmidt, F. L. (2014). Personality and cognitive ability as predictors of effective performance at work.
    _Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1_(1), 45–65.
    [https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091255Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091255)

    Viswesvaran, C., & Ones, D. S. (2018). Non-test methods and techniques used in employee selection. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 451–473). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **## Week2.DiscussionOne_Responses.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two colleagues' discussion posts.

    Madeline M.

    **Article Topics**

    After reflecting on the article topics to search for, I decided to stay general in regard to evidence based coaching. I do have an interest in non-profit organizations within this specialization, which one article reflects, however; I am still open to niche focuses within evidenced based coaching and organizational development. To find the two articles, I entered
    _evidenced-based coaching AND organizational development_ into APA PsychInfo database and Google search engine with the addition of the word
    _articles_.

    **Walden Library Article**

    Boysen, Arya, and Page (2021) wrote
    _Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_ by Oxford Brookes University; found utilizing the Walden Library resource APA PsycInfo (Walden University, 2015b). The authors, affiliated with Lewis University and Christian Brothers Services, use a case study approach and employee survey data to examine how coaching strategies contribute to a positive organizational culture in a nonprofit setting.

    **Google Article**

    Bond and Seneque (2013) authored an article titled
    _Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _Journal of Management Development;_ found utilizing Google search engine and located with through this URL –
    [https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/htmlLinks to an external site.](https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/html). The authors—Christopher Bond from Roehampton University and Megan Seneque from Catholic Earthcare Australia—develop a theoretical framework to distinguish coaching from other management practices using cognitive mapping and grounded theory.

    **Comparison**

    While both articles focus on coaching within organizations, their approaches differ significantly. Bond and Seneque (2013) take a conceptual stance, offering a theoretical comparison between coaching and other common management practices such as: consulting, mentoring, and facilitation. In contrast, Boysen et al. (2021) present a practical, real-world example of coaching implementation, emphasizing how coaching fosters leadership development, open communication, and employee engagement. Together, the articles provide complementary insights into both the theoretical underpinnings and applied value of coaching in organizational development.

    **Peer Reviewed Articles**

    Using peer-reviewed sources strengthens the quality and credibility of scholarly writing by ensuring the evidence presented has been critically evaluated by experts in the field. Walden University (2015) reports peer-reviewed articles undergo a rigorous editorial process assessing the validity of their research methods, the reliability of their findings, and their contributions to academic discipline. As a result, citing these sources demonstrates arguments are based on well-supported, trustworthy scholarship rather than opinion or unverified claims.

    In the mentioned research articles, both Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021) are peer-reviewed articles, lending academic rigor and authority to the discussion of coaching as a method for organizational development.

    **Evidence for Supporting Ideas and Improvements to Scholarly Writing**

    Both articles, Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021), are peer reviewed resources for someone wanting to strengthen the quality and credibility of their scholarly writing. As a professional in the field of psychology, I would use the article by Boysen et al. (2021) as evidence to support my ideas, particularly when discussing the real-world application and outcomes of coaching in organizational settings. Boysen et al. (2021) article offers empirical insight through employee surveys and organizational feedback, making it highly relevant to evidence-based coaching in I/O psychology. Its emphasis on fostering a coaching culture, enhancing communication, and promoting leadership development aligns with psychological principles of motivation, self-efficacy, and workplace well-being (Boysen et al., 2021). Using this peer-reviewed article strengthens my scholarly writing by grounding my arguments in research that has undergone rigorous academic review, ensuring the information is credible, methodologically sound, and reflective of current professional standards. By integrating peer-reviewed evidence, I can present more persuasive and academically defensible claims that contribute meaningfully to the larger conversation within the field of I/O psychology.

    **References:**

    APA PsychInfo. (2025).
    _Research databases: EBSCO_. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. |
    [www.ebsco.comLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/).
    [https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databasesLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases)

    Bond, C., & Seneque, M. (2012). Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development.
    _Journal of Management Development_,
    _32_(1), 57–72.
    [https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026)

    Boysen, S. M., Arya, T., & Page, L. (2021). Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit.
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_,
    _19_(2), 115–132.

    OASIS. (2020, June 29).
    _Reading a research article assigned as coursework_. Walden University.
    [https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-courseworkLinks to an external site.](https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-coursework)

    Walden University. (2015a).
    _Foundations – library resources: Identifying & evaluating online resources_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluating)

    Walden University. (2015b).
    _Foundations – library resources: Introduction to the Walden University library_.
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibraryLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibrary)

    Walden University. (2015c).
    _Peer review: General information_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-reviewLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-review)

    · Reply to post from Madeline Myers
    **Reply**

    · Mark as Unread
    **Mark as Unread**

    Kevin D.

    Hi All,
    I hope all is progressing well.

    **Brief Description** The peer-reviewed articles assess parameters of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters involving situations of an employment environment internal and external from the environment. More so, the articles discuss the extent of which such parameters receive publication attention as well as address how significantly applying research of I/O Psychology enhances validity to better estimate any occurrences as well as outcomes. The entwining of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters proves extremely substantial to ensuring more equitable parameters regarding employment in line with evidentially supporting safer, more harmless, environments, lawfully. Even more so, the articles assess how I/O Psychology makes evidential sense through legal parameters in connection with employment, how perceptions of I/O Psychology are somewhat favorable legally, and how I/O Psychology is applicable across industries, beneficially.

    **Differences** The differences between the forms of representation for I/O Psychology through the resources I uncover are most easily recognizable context wise, purpose wise. If one is to engage with deciding which audience may benefit from a particular form of information then one may recognize differing possibilities with each form of representation of I/O Psychology. As one may gather from Walden's Oasis about scholarly journals, "Their purpose is to advance scholarship in that field by publishing in-depth research studies" (Walden, 2025), and about trade publications, "The intent is to share industry news, trends, and advances" (Walden, 2025). Even as one may be able to find particular information within an informational source as evidentially supportive of what one may be seeking to further explore, acknowledging one's audience as well as one's intent with the information is extremely important.

    1. Even the scholarly journals have different approaches to informing the field though both side on integrating parameters of I/O Psychologically legally on the basis of evidence robust research.

    2. The trade publication is very informative as well as entertaining visually, seemingly operating like a popular magazine except does not fit the criteria of which a description of what a popular magazine is via Walden's Oasis, "written by journalists to inform or entertain the general public…current events, celebrities, sports, fashion, etc." (Walden, 2025).

    3. Not all of them are presentable in their current formats as easily as the other, though much may rely on the presenter, likely due to each serving different purposes, especially considering authorial intent(s).

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Industrial/Organizational Psychology and the Federal Judiciary: Expert Witness Testimony and the
    _Daubert_ Standards" by Peter H. Wingate and George C. Thornton III in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1 February 2004

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Psychology, Law, and the Workplace: An Overview and Introduction to the Special Issue" by Margaret Bull Kovera in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1, February 2004

    (Trade Publication—Ask Jeeves) EYE ON PSI CHI; https://www.psichi.org/page/153EyeSpr11cZinn

    (Presentation—Ask Jeeves) Using I-O Psychology to Challenge Criminal Record Barriers;
    [https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/Links to an external site.](https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/)

    (Other Notable Differences; writing style—between scholarly, technical, and conversational; language—between assuming a scholarly background, technical, industry jargon, easily accessible; authorship—between experts, scholars, specialists, professionals; audience—between students, researchers, scholars, professionals, practitioners, and the general public)

    **Argument Improving** I think assessing articles of peer reviews allows for being in tune with language progressing the field, so as to further better communicate with individuals engaging with such contexts of the field. Evidence of language awareness may be extremely helpful to navigate areas of a field, beyond seemingly distant observation, even considering one may know all there is to ever know of a field. Communicating with language of a field may more easily assist with bolstering a field as well as with necessarily expanding language of a field.

    As a professional in the field of psychology, I will likely acknowledge all parameters of publications. There are different audiences that necessitate different forms of representation of information to better comprehend what is necessary to comprehend. What may make sense to present in a court room, may prove vastly different from what may be seemingly necessary to present to the field for furthering progress of the field, which may prove vastly different presentation-wise for what may seemingly be necessary for a group of individuals of the legal industry within physical legal parameters, outside of a courtroom. More so, attending to the future of a field well means acknowledgement of a necessity for recruiting well, so presenting information of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters to students, individuals, deciding between career paths may necessitate a different approach. Additionally, as a professional in the field of psychology, I find being aware of the parameters of publishing extremely necessary, so as to better proactively engage parameters of psychology, communicatively.

    Onward and Upward,
    Kevin Dufresne

    **References**
    Walden University. (2015d).
    [Evaluating resources: Resource typesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating). Retrieved from
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating)

    Walden University. (2015d).
    [JournalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals). Retrieved from
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals)

    **## Week2.Discussion.Response.IndividualDifferences.Assessment.JobAnalysis.Selection.andStaffing.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the colleague's discussion posts below.

    Cassandra P.

    **Role of Assessments in I/O Psychology**

    In the world of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, assessments play a major role in helping companies make smarter hiring decisions. Instead of relying on gut instincts or surface-level impressions, employers can use assessments, like cognitive ability tests, personality inventories, and structured interviews, to get a clearer, evidence-based understanding of what each candidate brings to the table (Beier, Young, & Villado, 2018; Viswesvaran & Ones, 2018). These tools are especially useful because they're designed to measure job-relevant characteristics, not just resume fluff.

    A key focus of many assessments is evaluating knowledge, skills, and abilities, what we call KSAs. These are essentially the core ingredients that help someone succeed in a given role. When employers use assessments to measure KSAs, they're more likely to find people who not only meet the requirements but are also ready to thrive in the position. That's especially true for demanding jobs where getting the wrong person can have big consequences.

    **KSA's for The Role: Catastrophe Claims Manager**

    Let's look at a real-world example, my role as a catastrophe claims manager in the insurance industry. This job kicks into gear after major disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes. The person in this role has to investigate large property losses, coordinate teams, and communicate with customers who are often going through one of the worst experiences of their lives. It's a fast-paced, high-pressure job that requires more than just technical knowledge.

    Three critical KSAs stand out for this role. First, cognitive ability and problem-solving are key because these managers need to quickly evaluate complex situations and make fair, informed decisions. Schmidt (2014) points out that cognitive ability is one of the best predictors of job performance across industries. Second, emotional resilience and strong interpersonal communication are essential, especially when dealing with distressed customers and leading teams in chaotic environments. And third, a deep understanding of insurance policies and state regulations is necessary to handle claims accurately and stay compliant.

    **Assessing Candidates for These KSAs**

    If I were hiring for this position, I wouldn't rely on just one test, I'd go with a combination of assessments to get a full picture of each candidate's strengths. I'd start with a cognitive ability test to measure how well someone can think critically, solve problems, and learn new information. These tests have a strong track record of predicting job success, although they should be used carefully to avoid disadvantaging candidates unfamiliar with formal testing (Schmidt, 2014).

    Next, I'd use a personality inventory, like the HEXACO or Hogan Personality Inventory. These tools help evaluate traits like emotional stability, conscientiousness, and honesty, traits that are incredibly important in high-stress roles like catastrophe claims. As Lee and Ashton (2018) note, personality assessments can offer insight into how someone might behave under pressure, and Hogan and Holland (2003) highlight their value in predicting leadership and team fit.

    To round things out, I'd use structured behavioral interviews. These interviews ask candidates to describe how they've handled real-life situations, like managing a difficult customer or responding to an emergency. Campion, Palmer, and Campion (2018) explain that structured interviews are more reliable and legally defensible than casual ones, making them a solid choice for hiring. I'd also include a short job knowledge test to confirm that the candidate understands insurance policies, claim processes, and relevant regulations (Beier et al., 2018).

    **Putting It All Together**

    The best approach isn't to rely on just one assessment, it's to use several that complement each other. This multimethod strategy gives a more complete and balanced view of each candidate. Cognitive ability tests help identify analytical thinkers. Personality inventories shine a light on emotional resilience and teamwork. Structured interviews show how someone has handled tough situations in the past, and job knowledge tests confirm that they understand the technical side of the role.

    Using these tools together increases the odds of hiring someone who's not just qualified on paper, but ready to thrive in a demanding, high-pressure job. As Schmidt (2014) explains, the combination of cognitive ability and personality traits leads to more consistent, effective performance. In a role like catastrophe claims manager, that's exactly what organizations need, someone who can think fast, stay calm, and lead others through chaos. Assessments take the guesswork out of hiring and create a fairer, more effective process for both the company and the candidates.

    **References**

    Beier, M. E., Young, C. S., & Villado, A. J. (2018). Job knowledge: Its definition, development, and measurement. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 279–298). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    Campion, M. A., Palmer, D. K., & Campion, J. E. (2018). A review of structure in the selection interview. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 235–254). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    Hogan, J., & Holland, B. (2003). Using theory to evaluate personality and job-performance relations: A socioanalytic perspective.
    _Journal of Applied Psychology, 88_(1), 100–112.
    [https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.100Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.100)

    Lee, K., & Ashton, M. C. (2018). The HEXACO personality inventory: Development, validity, and practical applications.
    _European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 34_(3), 140–151.
    [https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000364Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000364)

    Schmidt, F. L. (2014). Personality and cognitive ability as predictors of effective performance at work.
    _Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1_(1), 45–65.
    [https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091255Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091255)

    Viswesvaran, C., & Ones, D. S. (2018). Non-test methods and techniques used in employee selection. In D. S. Ones, N. Anderson, C. Viswesvaran, & H. K. Sinangil (Eds.),
    _The SAGE handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology_ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 451–473). SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **## Week2.DiscussionOne_Responses.docx**

    INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two colleagues' discussion posts.

    Madeline M.

    **Article Topics**

    After reflecting on the article topics to search for, I decided to stay general in regard to evidence based coaching. I do have an interest in non-profit organizations within this specialization, which one article reflects, however; I am still open to niche focuses within evidenced based coaching and organizational development. To find the two articles, I entered
    _evidenced-based coaching AND organizational development_ into APA PsychInfo database and Google search engine with the addition of the word
    _articles_.

    **Walden Library Article**

    Boysen, Arya, and Page (2021) wrote
    _Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_ by Oxford Brookes University; found utilizing the Walden Library resource APA PsycInfo (Walden University, 2015b). The authors, affiliated with Lewis University and Christian Brothers Services, use a case study approach and employee survey data to examine how coaching strategies contribute to a positive organizational culture in a nonprofit setting.

    **Google Article**

    Bond and Seneque (2013) authored an article titled
    _Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development_, published in the peer-reviewed
    _Journal of Management Development;_ found utilizing Google search engine and located with through this URL –
    [https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/htmlLinks to an external site.](https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02621711311287026/full/html). The authors—Christopher Bond from Roehampton University and Megan Seneque from Catholic Earthcare Australia—develop a theoretical framework to distinguish coaching from other management practices using cognitive mapping and grounded theory.

    **Comparison**

    While both articles focus on coaching within organizations, their approaches differ significantly. Bond and Seneque (2013) take a conceptual stance, offering a theoretical comparison between coaching and other common management practices such as: consulting, mentoring, and facilitation. In contrast, Boysen et al. (2021) present a practical, real-world example of coaching implementation, emphasizing how coaching fosters leadership development, open communication, and employee engagement. Together, the articles provide complementary insights into both the theoretical underpinnings and applied value of coaching in organizational development.

    **Peer Reviewed Articles**

    Using peer-reviewed sources strengthens the quality and credibility of scholarly writing by ensuring the evidence presented has been critically evaluated by experts in the field. Walden University (2015) reports peer-reviewed articles undergo a rigorous editorial process assessing the validity of their research methods, the reliability of their findings, and their contributions to academic discipline. As a result, citing these sources demonstrates arguments are based on well-supported, trustworthy scholarship rather than opinion or unverified claims.

    In the mentioned research articles, both Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021) are peer-reviewed articles, lending academic rigor and authority to the discussion of coaching as a method for organizational development.

    **Evidence for Supporting Ideas and Improvements to Scholarly Writing**

    Both articles, Bond and Seneque (2013) and Boysen et al. (2021), are peer reviewed resources for someone wanting to strengthen the quality and credibility of their scholarly writing. As a professional in the field of psychology, I would use the article by Boysen et al. (2021) as evidence to support my ideas, particularly when discussing the real-world application and outcomes of coaching in organizational settings. Boysen et al. (2021) article offers empirical insight through employee surveys and organizational feedback, making it highly relevant to evidence-based coaching in I/O psychology. Its emphasis on fostering a coaching culture, enhancing communication, and promoting leadership development aligns with psychological principles of motivation, self-efficacy, and workplace well-being (Boysen et al., 2021). Using this peer-reviewed article strengthens my scholarly writing by grounding my arguments in research that has undergone rigorous academic review, ensuring the information is credible, methodologically sound, and reflective of current professional standards. By integrating peer-reviewed evidence, I can present more persuasive and academically defensible claims that contribute meaningfully to the larger conversation within the field of I/O psychology.

    **References:**

    APA PsychInfo. (2025).
    _Research databases: EBSCO_. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. |
    [www.ebsco.comLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/).
    [https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databasesLinks to an external site.](https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases)

    Bond, C., & Seneque, M. (2012). Conceptualizing coaching as an approach to management and organizational development.
    _Journal of Management Development_,
    _32_(1), 57–72.
    [https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026Links to an external site.](https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711311287026)

    Boysen, S. M., Arya, T., & Page, L. (2021). Organizational and executive coaching: Creating a coaching culture in a non-profit.
    _International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring_,
    _19_(2), 115–132.

    OASIS. (2020, June 29).
    _Reading a research article assigned as coursework_. Walden University.
    [https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-courseworkLinks to an external site.](https://waldenacademicskills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/reading-a-research-article-assigned-as-coursework)

    Walden University. (2015a).
    _Foundations – library resources: Identifying & evaluating online resources_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/IdentifyingEvaluating)

    Walden University. (2015b).
    _Foundations – library resources: Introduction to the Walden University library_.
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibraryLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/foundationscoursedocs/waldenlibrary)

    Walden University. (2015c).
    _Peer review: General information_.
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-reviewLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peer-review)

    · Reply to post from Madeline Myers
    **Reply**

    · Mark as Unread
    **Mark as Unread**

    Kevin D.

    Hi All,
    I hope all is progressing well.

    **Brief Description** The peer-reviewed articles assess parameters of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters involving situations of an employment environment internal and external from the environment. More so, the articles discuss the extent of which such parameters receive publication attention as well as address how significantly applying research of I/O Psychology enhances validity to better estimate any occurrences as well as outcomes. The entwining of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters proves extremely substantial to ensuring more equitable parameters regarding employment in line with evidentially supporting safer, more harmless, environments, lawfully. Even more so, the articles assess how I/O Psychology makes evidential sense through legal parameters in connection with employment, how perceptions of I/O Psychology are somewhat favorable legally, and how I/O Psychology is applicable across industries, beneficially.

    **Differences** The differences between the forms of representation for I/O Psychology through the resources I uncover are most easily recognizable context wise, purpose wise. If one is to engage with deciding which audience may benefit from a particular form of information then one may recognize differing possibilities with each form of representation of I/O Psychology. As one may gather from Walden's Oasis about scholarly journals, "Their purpose is to advance scholarship in that field by publishing in-depth research studies" (Walden, 2025), and about trade publications, "The intent is to share industry news, trends, and advances" (Walden, 2025). Even as one may be able to find particular information within an informational source as evidentially supportive of what one may be seeking to further explore, acknowledging one's audience as well as one's intent with the information is extremely important.

    1. Even the scholarly journals have different approaches to informing the field though both side on integrating parameters of I/O Psychologically legally on the basis of evidence robust research.

    2. The trade publication is very informative as well as entertaining visually, seemingly operating like a popular magazine except does not fit the criteria of which a description of what a popular magazine is via Walden's Oasis, "written by journalists to inform or entertain the general public…current events, celebrities, sports, fashion, etc." (Walden, 2025).

    3. Not all of them are presentable in their current formats as easily as the other, though much may rely on the presenter, likely due to each serving different purposes, especially considering authorial intent(s).

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Industrial/Organizational Psychology and the Federal Judiciary: Expert Witness Testimony and the
    _Daubert_ Standards" by Peter H. Wingate and George C. Thornton III in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1 February 2004

    (Scholarly Journal—APA Database) "Psychology, Law, and the Workplace: An Overview and Introduction to the Special Issue" by Margaret Bull Kovera in
    _Law and Human Behavior_, Vol. 28, No. 1, February 2004

    (Trade Publication—Ask Jeeves) EYE ON PSI CHI; https://www.psichi.org/page/153EyeSpr11cZinn

    (Presentation—Ask Jeeves) Using I-O Psychology to Challenge Criminal Record Barriers;
    [https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/Links to an external site.](https://clsphila.org/national-record-clearing-project/using-i-o-psychology-to-challenge-criminal-record-barriers/)

    (Other Notable Differences; writing style—between scholarly, technical, and conversational; language—between assuming a scholarly background, technical, industry jargon, easily accessible; authorship—between experts, scholars, specialists, professionals; audience—between students, researchers, scholars, professionals, practitioners, and the general public)

    **Argument Improving** I think assessing articles of peer reviews allows for being in tune with language progressing the field, so as to further better communicate with individuals engaging with such contexts of the field. Evidence of language awareness may be extremely helpful to navigate areas of a field, beyond seemingly distant observation, even considering one may know all there is to ever know of a field. Communicating with language of a field may more easily assist with bolstering a field as well as with necessarily expanding language of a field.

    As a professional in the field of psychology, I will likely acknowledge all parameters of publications. There are different audiences that necessitate different forms of representation of information to better comprehend what is necessary to comprehend. What may make sense to present in a court room, may prove vastly different from what may be seemingly necessary to present to the field for furthering progress of the field, which may prove vastly different presentation-wise for what may seemingly be necessary for a group of individuals of the legal industry within physical legal parameters, outside of a courtroom. More so, attending to the future of a field well means acknowledgement of a necessity for recruiting well, so presenting information of I/O Psychology in connection with legal parameters to students, individuals, deciding between career paths may necessitate a different approach. Additionally, as a professional in the field of psychology, I find being aware of the parameters of publishing extremely necessary, so as to better proactively engage parameters of psychology, communicatively.

    Onward and Upward,
    Kevin Dufresne

    **References**
    Walden University. (2015d).
    [Evaluating resources: Resource typesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating). Retrieved from
    [http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluatingLinks to an external site.](http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating)

    Walden University. (2015d).
    [JournalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals). Retrieved from
    [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journalsLinks to an external site.](https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/resource-types/journals)

    – 1
    – 2

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    Due 6/5 12PM EST 300 WORDS NOT INCLUDING REFERENCES CHAPTER ATTACHED For this discussion, we consider what it means to forgive. Chapter 29 in King and Ford's (2024) and Chapter 4 of Neff and McMinn's (2020) textbooks discuss the meaning and concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and atonement. Stu…

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    300 WORDS NOT INCLUDING REFERENCES
    CHAPTER ATTACHED
    For this discussion, we consider what it means to forgive. Chapter 29 in King and Ford's (2024) and Chapter 4 of Neff and McMinn's (2020) textbooks discuss the meaning and concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and atonement. Students should carefully review both chapters to gain an understanding of the differences between forgiveness from a psychological viewpoint and the Christian virtue of forgiveness. These concepts and principles provide counselors with a framework for assisting clients who struggle with forgiving themselves and others. In your initial discussion post:
    1. Provide a three to four-sentence paragraph that explains _**your understanding**_ of what it means to forgive.
    2. When considering the psychology and theology of forgiveness, identify and describe a core belief that you hold to be true about human forgiveness versus divine forgiveness3. Neff and McMinn (Hard copy, 2020, pp. 150 – 155 or E-Book, pp. 182 – 188) described three dominant metaphors for Christ's saving work. Choose one of the three atonement theories that mostly align with your understanding of atonement. Explain how you might use your theory of choice in a counseling setting and why atonement matters for psychotherapists, Christian counselors, and clients.  ATTACHED
    Make sure to include appropriate concepts from the class sources, previous courses you may have taken, passages of Scripture that directly relate to the concept, or ethical considerations from the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) and cite correctly, per current APA format.
    For each initial thread, students must support their assertions with at least 3 scholarly sources
    cited in current APA format, as well as integrating a Christian worldview, ideally with scriptural
    references. Please note that citing the Bible is highly encouraged, but this will be in addition to
    the 3 scholarly sources
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  • [Solved] Develop Descriptive, Associative, and Causal Research Questions

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    Help with developing Descriptive, Associative, and Causal Research Questions. – ## Week4resources.docx – ## Week4.docx **## Week4resources.docx** Resources: · [**Correlation and Causation: Tyler Vigen’s Spurious Correlations**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sa…

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    Help with developing Descriptive, Associative, and Causal Research Questions.

    – ## Week4resources.docx

    – ## Week4.docx

    **## Week4resources.docx**

    Resources:

    ·
    [**Correlation and Causation: Tyler Vigen’s Spurious Correlations**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fcorrelation-and-causation-tyler-vigens-spurious-correlations)

    SAGE Publications. (Publisher). (2017).
    _Correlation and causation: Tyler Vigen’s spurious correlations_[Video file]. SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **This video explains how correlation does not always mean causation or a meaningful relationship.**

    ·
    [**Distinguishing Correlational vs. Experimental Research**](https://www.shortcutstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/distinguishing-correlation.pdf)

    Vita, M. (2018). Distinguishing correlational vs. experimental research.
    _American Psychological Association (APA), Education Directorate, Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Education._ **Exercises to assist in differentiating correlational from experimental research designs are provided, with answers included to assist student learning.**

    ·
    [**Experiments: Testing Causal Relationships**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fexperiments-testing-causal-relationships)

    SAGE Publications. (Producer). (2016).
    _Experiments: Testing causal relationships_[Video file]. SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **This video explores what experiments are and how they test causal relationships.**

    ·
    **Quantitative Research Design**

    Bloomfield, J., & Fisher, M. J. (2019). Quantitative research design.
    _Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses’ Association (JARNA), 22_(2), 27–30.

    ·
    [**Research Design: Observational and Correlational Studies**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fresearch-design-observational-and-correlational-studies)

    SAGE Publications. (Producer). (2011).
    _Research design: Observational and correlational studies_ [Video file]. SAGE Publications, Inc.

    **The differences between observational and correlational research are clearly detailed in this video.**

    ·
    [**The 3-Question Approach: A Simplified Framework for Selecting Study Designs**](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=natuniv&direct=true&db=mdc&AN=31477648&site=eds-live)

    Khan, A. M., Gupta, P., & Mishra, D. (2019). The 3-question approach: A simplified framework for selecting study designs.
    _Indian Pediatrics, 56_(8), 669–672.

    ·
    [**Understanding Descriptive Research Designs and Methods**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fovidsp.ovid.com%2Fovidweb.cgi%3FT%3DJS%26CSC%3DY%26NEWS%3DN%26PAGE%3Dfulltext%26AN%3D00002800-202001000-00004%26D%3Dovft)

    Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods.
    _Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, 34_(1), 8–12.

    **Different types of descriptive research designs are described in this article.**

    **## Week4.docx**

    **Research Questions Determine the Research Design**

    The type of research question you want to ask is determined by the type of relationship you expect to uncover. Basically, there are three different types of questions that you can ask when conducting a research study: descriptive, associative, or causal ones.

    **Descriptive Research Questions**

    The first type of question to ask is the most basic, and it is one where you are seeking to describe a variable or quantify the average value of the variable. With a descriptive research question, you are not looking to assess or determine relationships between variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). For example, you might want to find out more about what types of behaviors are involved with shooting a basketball. This would be considered a descriptive research question because you are simply looking to describe or identify the key behaviors that are typically displayed when shooting a basketball properly.

    Similarly, you might want to assess the numeric value of a variable such as the proper angle of the hand when releasing the shot (roughly 45%), how quickly the shooter flicks their wrists (less than one second), how high they jump when shooting (6-12 inches), or the force with which the ball is released into the air (velocity). This is more in line with quantitative descriptive research and is also sometimes what you want to determine with a descriptive research question too!

    **Associative Research Questions**

    The second type of research question is one that examines the relationship between two variables without implying any sort of cause and effect connection. With an associative research question, you are beginning to assess or quantify the relationship between two variables numerically. You are not just describing it as you would if you were asking more of a descriptive question (as in the example provided above). For example, if there is an association between flicking the wrist quickly while simultaneously planting the feet firmly on the ground and consistently making the 3-point shot, this would be considered an associative relationship. Associative relationships are often assessed through correlational research and something that statisticians call a correlation coefficient (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018).

    When conducting correlational research, a statistic called a
    _correlation coefficient_ is used to represent the degree of the relationship, or the direction and size of the association between these two variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). When describing correlation coefficients, there are two key attributes to focus on: the
    _direction_ of the relationship (either positive or negative) and the
    _magnitude_ or strength of the relationship. First, you will examine the
    _direction_ of the relationship.

    A positive correlation means that both variables are moving in the same
    _direction_, and they seem to be connected or associated with one another (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). As one variable increases, so does the other. A few examples would include the number of hours spent studying and grades, exercise frequency and physical fitness assessments, time spent cultivating friendships and healthy relationships (to name a few). Try to think of a few more examples that would fit here. Alternatively, a positive correlation can also mean that as one variable decreases, so does the other. This can seem counterintuitive due to the wording, but it basically means that both variables are moving in the same direction, even if they are both decreasing. Some examples here would include reaction time and skill as a driver, or temperature and time spent jogging outdoors. Try to come up with a few more of your own examples here to help you better understand how this works.

    On the other hand, with a negative correlation, the variables are moving in opposite directions (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). More specifically, as one variable decreases, the other increases (or vice versa). Some examples would be eating unhealthy food and weight loss, amount of time spent playing video games and grades on final exams, temperature outside, and ice cream consumption, just to name a few. Again, try to think of a few more examples for further clarity.

    In addition to the direction of the relationship as detailed by the two types of correlations or associations between two variables (positive/negative), it is also possible to measure the association's strength or magnitude (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Generally, the closer the association is to 1.0, the stronger the relationship. With a perfect 1.0 correlation coefficient, whenever you see a 1 unit increase in one variable, you will also see a corresponding 1 unit increase in the other. As the relationship weakens, you will start to see less of this perfect one to one correspondence. For example, with a 0.5 correlation coefficient, for every 1.0 unit increase in variable A, you will see a corresponding 0.5 unit increase in variable B. It is important to note that with correlational research, the variables of interest must be quantitative measures that meet the statistical requirements for correlations to be computed.

    In psychological research, these correlation coefficients are deemed to have different levels of strength or importance, with higher numbers being viewed as more important or value to focus in on. More specifically, when interpreting the size of these relationships in psychology, Cohen (1988) suggests that coefficients in the .10 range or less are considered small, whereas those in the .30 range are considered moderate, and those in the .50 range or above are considered large effects.

    One of the biggest drawbacks with associative questions and correlational research is the inability to say that variable A
    _caused_ or led to the effect observed in variable B. Novice researchers frequently make this type of error in logic when drawing conclusions, so be on the lookout for this erroneous leap in thinking (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). A more truthful or accurate conclusion would be something like variable A and variable B seem to be connected or associated, with increases in A corresponding with increases in B (in the case of a positive correlation). However, this is not necessarily a cause-and-effect type of relationship.

    For example, in the case of ice cream consumption and murder rates, you can note that there is a strong positive correlation or association. You cannot, however, state that one leads to or
    _causes_ the other to occur. In this example, the true underlying cause is the temperature outside – with hotter weather leading to more physical and overt aggression – which often leads to higher murder rates (Aronson et al., 2019), as well as an increase in the amount of ice cream that people consume when it is hot outside. There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship here between murder and ice cream!

    Note that correlation does NOT lead to the ability to establish causal relationships, and it is perhaps one of the most common errors in research, so be on the lookout for this mistake. Repeat this aloud 10 times:
    _correlation does not mean causation_. Believing that correlation leads to causation is the core of many superstitious beliefs and behaviors (e.g., athletes wearing lucky socks or not allowing a black cat to cross in front of you.). All of these are examples of correlational research – not causal factors by any means concerning the likelihood of future positive events in your life! This is what is called a ‘spurious’ or fake association, and it often leads to many problems in thinking and behaving. If you ever find yourself feeling this way about another person or situation, etc., remind yourself to use logic and reason and that you were born with a sound mind.

    Watch the video in the required materials this week for more on this topic.

    **Cause and Effect Research Questions**

    The third and final type of research question that scientists ask is whether or not there is a cause and effect relationship between two variables. In other words, does eating ice cream cause people to commit murder? Does taking a 5 to 10-minute break every hour increase your ability to focus and get the work done? Does vaccine A lead to greater immunity and fewer side effects than vaccine B? With these types of relationships, you have an independent variable that is manipulated or intentionally controlled by the researcher. The researcher must have the ability to randomly assign subjects to different levels or conditions of this independent variable (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Also, with experimental or causal research, you will need a dependent variable – where the outcome of the change in the independent variable is measured and assessed. Try to think of some causal questions that would fit here, and be sure to reach out to your professor if you are still unclear as to how this differs from associative and descriptive questions.

    References

    Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2019).
    _Social psychology_(8th ed.). Pearson.

    Cohen, J. (1988).
    _Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences_ (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.

    Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018).
    _Research methods for the behavioral sciences_(6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

    **Assignment/Instructions**

    This week is a broad overview of the different types of research questions that scientists can use. For this assignment, prepare a paper to briefly assess the three different types of research questions that scientists typically ask. Then, provide a research question about a topic of interest that fits within each of these three categories (one descriptive, one associative/correlational, and one causal/experimental question).

    For example, if you want to examine when and where people smoke during the workday at your office, this would be a more descriptive question. You might also want to examine whether or not the frequency of smoke breaks throughout the day impacts employees’ productivity – or their ability to get the job done; this is more of an associative research question. Finally, you might want to determine if there is a causal relationship between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer. Here, you would need to perform carefully controlled experimental research with white mice in a laboratory setting to determine whether or not there is a higher rate of lung cancer among mice exposed to cigarette smoke than those who are not. In case you are curious, if you check the warning labels on cigarette boxes, they used to warn that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. However, with the overwhelming abundance of conclusive scientific evidence based on carefully controlled scientific data, the warning labels now state that smoking
    _causes_ cancer. This is a good reason to quit smoking immediately if you haven’t done so already!

    In your three examples of research questions, be sure to describe the types of conclusions that can be drawn when asking these questions, discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, and where each research question fits within this dichotomy.

    Length: 4-6 pages, not including title and reference pages

    References: Include a minimum of 3 scholarly resources.

    The completed assignment should address all of the assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources, reflect academic expectations and current APA standards.

    **NOTE**

    You will continue to focus on your topic of marital status and happiness. In this assignment, you will develop three types of research questions: Descriptive, Associative, and Causal. You have already developed a causal research question in last week’s assignment, so just use this same question in this assignment. Develop a descriptive and associative research question based on marital status and happiness. Keeping your focus on this same topic will be important so that you can use feedback on each assignment to complete the next assignment.

    **FEED BACK FROM LAST ASSIGNMENT**

    Great work on this assignment. You provide a strong causal research question, correctly identify the independent and dependent variables, and develop corresponding hypotheses.

    One thing you want to answer is: Does research indicate that the ages of 30 to 50 are when marital status is most likely to have the most impact on happiness? If so, then place a citation to indicate that research suggests that this is the case. If you only just think that this is true, then this is not a sufficient reason to exclude older individuals from your study. In fact, excluding them could be considered an ethical violation unless there is research to indicate that your statement is true.

    **## Week4.docx**

    **Research Questions Determine the Research Design**

    The type of research question you want to ask is determined by the type of relationship you expect to uncover. Basically, there are three different types of questions that you can ask when conducting a research study: descriptive, associative, or causal ones.

    **Descriptive Research Questions**

    The first type of question to ask is the most basic, and it is one where you are seeking to describe a variable or quantify the average value of the variable. With a descriptive research question, you are not looking to assess or determine relationships between variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). For example, you might want to find out more about what types of behaviors are involved with shooting a basketball. This would be considered a descriptive research question because you are simply looking to describe or identify the key behaviors that are typically displayed when shooting a basketball properly.

    Similarly, you might want to assess the numeric value of a variable such as the proper angle of the hand when releasing the shot (roughly 45%), how quickly the shooter flicks their wrists (less than one second), how high they jump when shooting (6-12 inches), or the force with which the ball is released into the air (velocity). This is more in line with quantitative descriptive research and is also sometimes what you want to determine with a descriptive research question too!

    **Associative Research Questions**

    The second type of research question is one that examines the relationship between two variables without implying any sort of cause and effect connection. With an associative research question, you are beginning to assess or quantify the relationship between two variables numerically. You are not just describing it as you would if you were asking more of a descriptive question (as in the example provided above). For example, if there is an association between flicking the wrist quickly while simultaneously planting the feet firmly on the ground and consistently making the 3-point shot, this would be considered an associative relationship. Associative relationships are often assessed through correlational research and something that statisticians call a correlation coefficient (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018).

    When conducting correlational research, a statistic called a
    _correlation coefficient_ is used to represent the degree of the relationship, or the direction and size of the association between these two variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). When describing correlation coefficients, there are two key attributes to focus on: the
    _direction_ of the relationship (either positive or negative) and the
    _magnitude_ or strength of the relationship. First, you will examine the
    _direction_ of the relationship.

    A positive correlation means that both variables are moving in the same
    _direction_, and they seem to be connected or associated with one another (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). As one variable increases, so does the other. A few examples would include the number of hours spent studying and grades, exercise frequency and physical fitness assessments, time spent cultivating friendships and healthy relationships (to name a few). Try to think of a few more examples that would fit here. Alternatively, a positive correlation can also mean that as one variable decreases, so does the other. This can seem counterintuitive due to the wording, but it basically means that both variables are moving in the same direction, even if they are both decreasing. Some examples here would include reaction time and skill as a driver, or temperature and time spent jogging outdoors. Try to come up with a few more of your own examples here to help you better understand how this works.

    On the other hand, with a negative correlation, the variables are moving in opposite directions (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). More specifically, as one variable decreases, the other increases (or vice versa). Some examples would be eating unhealthy food and weight loss, amount of time spent playing video games and grades on final exams, temperature outside, and ice cream consumption, just to name a few. Again, try to think of a few more examples for further clarity.

    In addition to the direction of the relationship as detailed by the two types of correlations or associations between two variables (positive/negative), it is also possible to measure the association's strength or magnitude (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Generally, the closer the association is to 1.0, the stronger the relationship. With a perfect 1.0 correlation coefficient, whenever you see a 1 unit increase in one variable, you will also see a corresponding 1 unit increase in the other. As the relationship weakens, you will start to see less of this perfect one to one correspondence. For example, with a 0.5 correlation coefficient, for every 1.0 unit increase in variable A, you will see a corresponding 0.5 unit increase in variable B. It is important to note that with correlational research, the variables of interest must be quantitative measures that meet the statistical requirements for correlations to be computed.

    In psychological research, these correlation coefficients are deemed to have different levels of strength or importance, with higher numbers being viewed as more important or value to focus in on. More specifically, when interpreting the size of these relationships in psychology, Cohen (1988) suggests that coefficients in the .10 range or less are considered small, whereas those in the .30 range are considered moderate, and those in the .50 range or above are considered large effects.

    One of the biggest drawbacks with associative questions and correlational research is the inability to say that variable A
    _caused_ or led to the effect observed in variable B. Novice researchers frequently make this type of error in logic when drawing conclusions, so be on the lookout for this erroneous leap in thinking (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). A more truthful or accurate conclusion would be something like variable A and variable B seem to be connected or associated, with increases in A corresponding with increases in B (in the case of a positive correlation). However, this is not necessarily a cause-and-effect type of relationship.

    For example, in the case of ice cream consumption and murder rates, you can note that there is a strong positive correlation or association. You cannot, however, state that one leads to or
    _causes_ the other to occur. In this example, the true underlying cause is the temperature outside – with hotter weather leading to more physical and overt aggression – which often leads to higher murder rates (Aronson et al., 2019), as well as an increase in the amount of ice cream that people consume when it is hot outside. There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship here between murder and ice cream!

    Note that correlation does NOT lead to the ability to establish causal relationships, and it is perhaps one of the most common errors in research, so be on the lookout for this mistake. Repeat this aloud 10 times:
    _correlation does not mean causation_. Believing that correlation leads to causation is the core of many superstitious beliefs and behaviors (e.g., athletes wearing lucky socks or not allowing a black cat to cross in front of you.). All of these are examples of correlational research – not causal factors by any means concerning the likelihood of future positive events in your life! This is what is called a ‘spurious’ or fake association, and it often leads to many problems in thinking and behaving. If you ever find yourself feeling this way about another person or situation, etc., remind yourself to use logic and reason and that you were born with a sound mind.

    Watch the video in the required materials this week for more on this topic.

    **Cause and Effect Research Questions**

    The third and final type of research question that scientists ask is whether or not there is a cause and effect relationship between two variables. In other words, does eating ice cream cause people to commit murder? Does taking a 5 to 10-minute break every hour increase your ability to focus and get the work done? Does vaccine A lead to greater immunity and fewer side effects than vaccine B? With these types of relationships, you have an independent variable that is manipulated or intentionally controlled by the researcher. The researcher must have the ability to randomly assign subjects to different levels or conditions of this independent variable (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Also, with experimental or causal research, you will need a dependent variable – where the outcome of the change in the independent variable is measured and assessed. Try to think of some causal questions that would fit here, and be sure to reach out to your professor if you are still unclear as to how this differs from associative and descriptive questions.

    References

    Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2019).
    _Social psychology_(8th ed.). Pearson.

    Cohen, J. (1988).
    _Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences_ (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.

    Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018).
    _Research methods for the behavioral sciences_(6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

    **Assignment/Instructions**

    This week is a broad overview of the different types of research questions that scientists can use. For this assignment, prepare a paper to briefly assess the three different types of research questions that scientists typically ask. Then, provide a research question about a topic of interest that fits within each of these three categories (one descriptive, one associative/correlational, and one causal/experimental question).

    For example, if you want to examine when and where people smoke during the workday at your office, this would be a more descriptive question. You might also want to examine whether or not the frequency of smoke breaks throughout the day impacts employees’ productivity – or their ability to get the job done; this is more of an associative research question. Finally, you might want to determine if there is a causal relationship between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer. Here, you would need to perform carefully controlled experimental research with white mice in a laboratory setting to determine whether or not there is a higher rate of lung cancer among mice exposed to cigarette smoke than those who are not. In case you are curious, if you check the warning labels on cigarette boxes, they used to warn that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. However, with the overwhelming abundance of conclusive scientific evidence based on carefully controlled scientific data, the warning labels now state that smoking
    _causes_ cancer. This is a good reason to quit smoking immediately if you haven’t done so already!

    In your three examples of research questions, be sure to describe the types of conclusions that can be drawn when asking these questions, discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, and where each research question fits within this dichotomy.

    Length: 4-6 pages, not including title and reference pages

    References: Include a minimum of 3 scholarly resources.

    The completed assignment should address all of the assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources, reflect academic expectations and current APA standards.

    **NOTE**

    You will continue to focus on your topic of marital status and happiness. In this assignment, you will develop three types of research questions: Descriptive, Associative, and Causal. You have already developed a causal research question in last week’s assignment, so just use this same question in this assignment. Develop a descriptive and associative research question based on marital status and happiness. Keeping your focus on this same topic will be important so that you can use feedback on each assignment to complete the next assignment.

    **FEED BACK FROM LAST ASSIGNMENT**

    Great work on this assignment. You provide a strong causal research question, correctly identify the independent and dependent variables, and develop corresponding hypotheses.

    One thing you want to answer is: Does research indicate that the ages of 30 to 50 are when marital status is most likely to have the most impact on happiness? If so, then place a citation to indicate that research suggests that this is the case. If you only just think that this is true, then this is not a sufficient reason to exclude older individuals from your study. In fact, excluding them could be considered an ethical violation unless there is research to indicate that your statement is true.

    **## Week4resources.docx**

    Resources:

    ·
    [**Correlation and Causation: Tyler Vigen’s Spurious Correlations**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fcorrelation-and-causation-tyler-vigens-spurious-correlations)

    SAGE Publications. (Publisher). (2017).
    _Correlation and causation: Tyler Vigen’s spurious correlations_[Video file]. SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **This video explains how correlation does not always mean causation or a meaningful relationship.**

    ·
    [**Distinguishing Correlational vs. Experimental Research**](https://www.shortcutstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/distinguishing-correlation.pdf)

    Vita, M. (2018). Distinguishing correlational vs. experimental research.
    _American Psychological Association (APA), Education Directorate, Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Education._ **Exercises to assist in differentiating correlational from experimental research designs are provided, with answers included to assist student learning.**

    ·
    [**Experiments: Testing Causal Relationships**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fexperiments-testing-causal-relationships)

    SAGE Publications. (Producer). (2016).
    _Experiments: Testing causal relationships_[Video file]. SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **This video explores what experiments are and how they test causal relationships.**

    ·
    **Quantitative Research Design**

    Bloomfield, J., & Fisher, M. J. (2019). Quantitative research design.
    _Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses’ Association (JARNA), 22_(2), 27–30.

    ·
    [**Research Design: Observational and Correlational Studies**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fresearch-design-observational-and-correlational-studies)

    SAGE Publications. (Producer). (2011).
    _Research design: Observational and correlational studies_ [Video file]. SAGE Publications, Inc.

    **The differences between observational and correlational research are clearly detailed in this video.**

    ·
    [**The 3-Question Approach: A Simplified Framework for Selecting Study Designs**](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=natuniv&direct=true&db=mdc&AN=31477648&site=eds-live)

    Khan, A. M., Gupta, P., & Mishra, D. (2019). The 3-question approach: A simplified framework for selecting study designs.
    _Indian Pediatrics, 56_(8), 669–672.

    ·
    [**Understanding Descriptive Research Designs and Methods**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fovidsp.ovid.com%2Fovidweb.cgi%3FT%3DJS%26CSC%3DY%26NEWS%3DN%26PAGE%3Dfulltext%26AN%3D00002800-202001000-00004%26D%3Dovft)

    Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods.
    _Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, 34_(1), 8–12.

    **Different types of descriptive research designs are described in this article.**

    **## Week4.docx**

    **Research Questions Determine the Research Design**

    The type of research question you want to ask is determined by the type of relationship you expect to uncover. Basically, there are three different types of questions that you can ask when conducting a research study: descriptive, associative, or causal ones.

    **Descriptive Research Questions**

    The first type of question to ask is the most basic, and it is one where you are seeking to describe a variable or quantify the average value of the variable. With a descriptive research question, you are not looking to assess or determine relationships between variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). For example, you might want to find out more about what types of behaviors are involved with shooting a basketball. This would be considered a descriptive research question because you are simply looking to describe or identify the key behaviors that are typically displayed when shooting a basketball properly.

    Similarly, you might want to assess the numeric value of a variable such as the proper angle of the hand when releasing the shot (roughly 45%), how quickly the shooter flicks their wrists (less than one second), how high they jump when shooting (6-12 inches), or the force with which the ball is released into the air (velocity). This is more in line with quantitative descriptive research and is also sometimes what you want to determine with a descriptive research question too!

    **Associative Research Questions**

    The second type of research question is one that examines the relationship between two variables without implying any sort of cause and effect connection. With an associative research question, you are beginning to assess or quantify the relationship between two variables numerically. You are not just describing it as you would if you were asking more of a descriptive question (as in the example provided above). For example, if there is an association between flicking the wrist quickly while simultaneously planting the feet firmly on the ground and consistently making the 3-point shot, this would be considered an associative relationship. Associative relationships are often assessed through correlational research and something that statisticians call a correlation coefficient (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018).

    When conducting correlational research, a statistic called a
    _correlation coefficient_ is used to represent the degree of the relationship, or the direction and size of the association between these two variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). When describing correlation coefficients, there are two key attributes to focus on: the
    _direction_ of the relationship (either positive or negative) and the
    _magnitude_ or strength of the relationship. First, you will examine the
    _direction_ of the relationship.

    A positive correlation means that both variables are moving in the same
    _direction_, and they seem to be connected or associated with one another (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). As one variable increases, so does the other. A few examples would include the number of hours spent studying and grades, exercise frequency and physical fitness assessments, time spent cultivating friendships and healthy relationships (to name a few). Try to think of a few more examples that would fit here. Alternatively, a positive correlation can also mean that as one variable decreases, so does the other. This can seem counterintuitive due to the wording, but it basically means that both variables are moving in the same direction, even if they are both decreasing. Some examples here would include reaction time and skill as a driver, or temperature and time spent jogging outdoors. Try to come up with a few more of your own examples here to help you better understand how this works.

    On the other hand, with a negative correlation, the variables are moving in opposite directions (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). More specifically, as one variable decreases, the other increases (or vice versa). Some examples would be eating unhealthy food and weight loss, amount of time spent playing video games and grades on final exams, temperature outside, and ice cream consumption, just to name a few. Again, try to think of a few more examples for further clarity.

    In addition to the direction of the relationship as detailed by the two types of correlations or associations between two variables (positive/negative), it is also possible to measure the association's strength or magnitude (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Generally, the closer the association is to 1.0, the stronger the relationship. With a perfect 1.0 correlation coefficient, whenever you see a 1 unit increase in one variable, you will also see a corresponding 1 unit increase in the other. As the relationship weakens, you will start to see less of this perfect one to one correspondence. For example, with a 0.5 correlation coefficient, for every 1.0 unit increase in variable A, you will see a corresponding 0.5 unit increase in variable B. It is important to note that with correlational research, the variables of interest must be quantitative measures that meet the statistical requirements for correlations to be computed.

    In psychological research, these correlation coefficients are deemed to have different levels of strength or importance, with higher numbers being viewed as more important or value to focus in on. More specifically, when interpreting the size of these relationships in psychology, Cohen (1988) suggests that coefficients in the .10 range or less are considered small, whereas those in the .30 range are considered moderate, and those in the .50 range or above are considered large effects.

    One of the biggest drawbacks with associative questions and correlational research is the inability to say that variable A
    _caused_ or led to the effect observed in variable B. Novice researchers frequently make this type of error in logic when drawing conclusions, so be on the lookout for this erroneous leap in thinking (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). A more truthful or accurate conclusion would be something like variable A and variable B seem to be connected or associated, with increases in A corresponding with increases in B (in the case of a positive correlation). However, this is not necessarily a cause-and-effect type of relationship.

    For example, in the case of ice cream consumption and murder rates, you can note that there is a strong positive correlation or association. You cannot, however, state that one leads to or
    _causes_ the other to occur. In this example, the true underlying cause is the temperature outside – with hotter weather leading to more physical and overt aggression – which often leads to higher murder rates (Aronson et al., 2019), as well as an increase in the amount of ice cream that people consume when it is hot outside. There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship here between murder and ice cream!

    Note that correlation does NOT lead to the ability to establish causal relationships, and it is perhaps one of the most common errors in research, so be on the lookout for this mistake. Repeat this aloud 10 times:
    _correlation does not mean causation_. Believing that correlation leads to causation is the core of many superstitious beliefs and behaviors (e.g., athletes wearing lucky socks or not allowing a black cat to cross in front of you.). All of these are examples of correlational research – not causal factors by any means concerning the likelihood of future positive events in your life! This is what is called a ‘spurious’ or fake association, and it often leads to many problems in thinking and behaving. If you ever find yourself feeling this way about another person or situation, etc., remind yourself to use logic and reason and that you were born with a sound mind.

    Watch the video in the required materials this week for more on this topic.

    **Cause and Effect Research Questions**

    The third and final type of research question that scientists ask is whether or not there is a cause and effect relationship between two variables. In other words, does eating ice cream cause people to commit murder? Does taking a 5 to 10-minute break every hour increase your ability to focus and get the work done? Does vaccine A lead to greater immunity and fewer side effects than vaccine B? With these types of relationships, you have an independent variable that is manipulated or intentionally controlled by the researcher. The researcher must have the ability to randomly assign subjects to different levels or conditions of this independent variable (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Also, with experimental or causal research, you will need a dependent variable – where the outcome of the change in the independent variable is measured and assessed. Try to think of some causal questions that would fit here, and be sure to reach out to your professor if you are still unclear as to how this differs from associative and descriptive questions.

    References

    Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2019).
    _Social psychology_(8th ed.). Pearson.

    Cohen, J. (1988).
    _Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences_ (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.

    Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018).
    _Research methods for the behavioral sciences_(6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

    **Assignment/Instructions**

    This week is a broad overview of the different types of research questions that scientists can use. For this assignment, prepare a paper to briefly assess the three different types of research questions that scientists typically ask. Then, provide a research question about a topic of interest that fits within each of these three categories (one descriptive, one associative/correlational, and one causal/experimental question).

    For example, if you want to examine when and where people smoke during the workday at your office, this would be a more descriptive question. You might also want to examine whether or not the frequency of smoke breaks throughout the day impacts employees’ productivity – or their ability to get the job done; this is more of an associative research question. Finally, you might want to determine if there is a causal relationship between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer. Here, you would need to perform carefully controlled experimental research with white mice in a laboratory setting to determine whether or not there is a higher rate of lung cancer among mice exposed to cigarette smoke than those who are not. In case you are curious, if you check the warning labels on cigarette boxes, they used to warn that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. However, with the overwhelming abundance of conclusive scientific evidence based on carefully controlled scientific data, the warning labels now state that smoking
    _causes_ cancer. This is a good reason to quit smoking immediately if you haven’t done so already!

    In your three examples of research questions, be sure to describe the types of conclusions that can be drawn when asking these questions, discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, and where each research question fits within this dichotomy.

    Length: 4-6 pages, not including title and reference pages

    References: Include a minimum of 3 scholarly resources.

    The completed assignment should address all of the assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources, reflect academic expectations and current APA standards.

    **NOTE**

    You will continue to focus on your topic of marital status and happiness. In this assignment, you will develop three types of research questions: Descriptive, Associative, and Causal. You have already developed a causal research question in last week’s assignment, so just use this same question in this assignment. Develop a descriptive and associative research question based on marital status and happiness. Keeping your focus on this same topic will be important so that you can use feedback on each assignment to complete the next assignment.

    **FEED BACK FROM LAST ASSIGNMENT**

    Great work on this assignment. You provide a strong causal research question, correctly identify the independent and dependent variables, and develop corresponding hypotheses.

    One thing you want to answer is: Does research indicate that the ages of 30 to 50 are when marital status is most likely to have the most impact on happiness? If so, then place a citation to indicate that research suggests that this is the case. If you only just think that this is true, then this is not a sufficient reason to exclude older individuals from your study. In fact, excluding them could be considered an ethical violation unless there is research to indicate that your statement is true.

    **## Week4resources.docx**

    Resources:

    ·
    [**Correlation and Causation: Tyler Vigen’s Spurious Correlations**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fcorrelation-and-causation-tyler-vigens-spurious-correlations)

    SAGE Publications. (Publisher). (2017).
    _Correlation and causation: Tyler Vigen’s spurious correlations_[Video file]. SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **This video explains how correlation does not always mean causation or a meaningful relationship.**

    ·
    [**Distinguishing Correlational vs. Experimental Research**](https://www.shortcutstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/distinguishing-correlation.pdf)

    Vita, M. (2018). Distinguishing correlational vs. experimental research.
    _American Psychological Association (APA), Education Directorate, Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Education._ **Exercises to assist in differentiating correlational from experimental research designs are provided, with answers included to assist student learning.**

    ·
    [**Experiments: Testing Causal Relationships**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fexperiments-testing-causal-relationships)

    SAGE Publications. (Producer). (2016).
    _Experiments: Testing causal relationships_[Video file]. SAGE Publications, Ltd.

    **This video explores what experiments are and how they test causal relationships.**

    ·
    **Quantitative Research Design**

    Bloomfield, J., & Fisher, M. J. (2019). Quantitative research design.
    _Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses’ Association (JARNA), 22_(2), 27–30.

    ·
    [**Research Design: Observational and Correlational Studies**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fresearch-design-observational-and-correlational-studies)

    SAGE Publications. (Producer). (2011).
    _Research design: Observational and correlational studies_ [Video file]. SAGE Publications, Inc.

    **The differences between observational and correlational research are clearly detailed in this video.**

    ·
    [**The 3-Question Approach: A Simplified Framework for Selecting Study Designs**](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=natuniv&direct=true&db=mdc&AN=31477648&site=eds-live)

    Khan, A. M., Gupta, P., & Mishra, D. (2019). The 3-question approach: A simplified framework for selecting study designs.
    _Indian Pediatrics, 56_(8), 669–672.

    ·
    [**Understanding Descriptive Research Designs and Methods**](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fovidsp.ovid.com%2Fovidweb.cgi%3FT%3DJS%26CSC%3DY%26NEWS%3DN%26PAGE%3Dfulltext%26AN%3D00002800-202001000-00004%26D%3Dovft)

    Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods.
    _Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, 34_(1), 8–12.

    **Different types of descriptive research designs are described in this article.**

    **## Week4.docx**

    **Research Questions Determine the Research Design**

    The type of research question you want to ask is determined by the type of relationship you expect to uncover. Basically, there are three different types of questions that you can ask when conducting a research study: descriptive, associative, or causal ones.

    **Descriptive Research Questions**

    The first type of question to ask is the most basic, and it is one where you are seeking to describe a variable or quantify the average value of the variable. With a descriptive research question, you are not looking to assess or determine relationships between variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). For example, you might want to find out more about what types of behaviors are involved with shooting a basketball. This would be considered a descriptive research question because you are simply looking to describe or identify the key behaviors that are typically displayed when shooting a basketball properly.

    Similarly, you might want to assess the numeric value of a variable such as the proper angle of the hand when releasing the shot (roughly 45%), how quickly the shooter flicks their wrists (less than one second), how high they jump when shooting (6-12 inches), or the force with which the ball is released into the air (velocity). This is more in line with quantitative descriptive research and is also sometimes what you want to determine with a descriptive research question too!

    **Associative Research Questions**

    The second type of research question is one that examines the relationship between two variables without implying any sort of cause and effect connection. With an associative research question, you are beginning to assess or quantify the relationship between two variables numerically. You are not just describing it as you would if you were asking more of a descriptive question (as in the example provided above). For example, if there is an association between flicking the wrist quickly while simultaneously planting the feet firmly on the ground and consistently making the 3-point shot, this would be considered an associative relationship. Associative relationships are often assessed through correlational research and something that statisticians call a correlation coefficient (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018).

    When conducting correlational research, a statistic called a
    _correlation coefficient_ is used to represent the degree of the relationship, or the direction and size of the association between these two variables (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). When describing correlation coefficients, there are two key attributes to focus on: the
    _direction_ of the relationship (either positive or negative) and the
    _magnitude_ or strength of the relationship. First, you will examine the
    _direction_ of the relationship.

    A positive correlation means that both variables are moving in the same
    _direction_, and they seem to be connected or associated with one another (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). As one variable increases, so does the other. A few examples would include the number of hours spent studying and grades, exercise frequency and physical fitness assessments, time spent cultivating friendships and healthy relationships (to name a few). Try to think of a few more examples that would fit here. Alternatively, a positive correlation can also mean that as one variable decreases, so does the other. This can seem counterintuitive due to the wording, but it basically means that both variables are moving in the same direction, even if they are both decreasing. Some examples here would include reaction time and skill as a driver, or temperature and time spent jogging outdoors. Try to come up with a few more of your own examples here to help you better understand how this works.

    On the other hand, with a negative correlation, the variables are moving in opposite directions (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). More specifically, as one variable decreases, the other increases (or vice versa). Some examples would be eating unhealthy food and weight loss, amount of time spent playing video games and grades on final exams, temperature outside, and ice cream consumption, just to name a few. Again, try to think of a few more examples for further clarity.

    In addition to the direction of the relationship as detailed by the two types of correlations or associations between two variables (positive/negative), it is also possible to measure the association's strength or magnitude (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Generally, the closer the association is to 1.0, the stronger the relationship. With a perfect 1.0 correlation coefficient, whenever you see a 1 unit increase in one variable, you will also see a corresponding 1 unit increase in the other. As the relationship weakens, you will start to see less of this perfect one to one correspondence. For example, with a 0.5 correlation coefficient, for every 1.0 unit increase in variable A, you will see a corresponding 0.5 unit increase in variable B. It is important to note that with correlational research, the variables of interest must be quantitative measures that meet the statistical requirements for correlations to be computed.

    In psychological research, these correlation coefficients are deemed to have different levels of strength or importance, with higher numbers being viewed as more important or value to focus in on. More specifically, when interpreting the size of these relationships in psychology, Cohen (1988) suggests that coefficients in the .10 range or less are considered small, whereas those in the .30 range are considered moderate, and those in the .50 range or above are considered large effects.

    One of the biggest drawbacks with associative questions and correlational research is the inability to say that variable A
    _caused_ or led to the effect observed in variable B. Novice researchers frequently make this type of error in logic when drawing conclusions, so be on the lookout for this erroneous leap in thinking (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). A more truthful or accurate conclusion would be something like variable A and variable B seem to be connected or associated, with increases in A corresponding with increases in B (in the case of a positive correlation). However, this is not necessarily a cause-and-effect type of relationship.

    For example, in the case of ice cream consumption and murder rates, you can note that there is a strong positive correlation or association. You cannot, however, state that one leads to or
    _causes_ the other to occur. In this example, the true underlying cause is the temperature outside – with hotter weather leading to more physical and overt aggression – which often leads to higher murder rates (Aronson et al., 2019), as well as an increase in the amount of ice cream that people consume when it is hot outside. There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship here between murder and ice cream!

    Note that correlation does NOT lead to the ability to establish causal relationships, and it is perhaps one of the most common errors in research, so be on the lookout for this mistake. Repeat this aloud 10 times:
    _correlation does not mean causation_. Believing that correlation leads to causation is the core of many superstitious beliefs and behaviors (e.g., athletes wearing lucky socks or not allowing a black cat to cross in front of you.). All of these are examples of correlational research – not causal factors by any means concerning the likelihood of future positive events in your life! This is what is called a ‘spurious’ or fake association, and it often leads to many problems in thinking and behaving. If you ever find yourself feeling this way about another person or situation, etc., remind yourself to use logic and reason and that you were born with a sound mind.

    Watch the video in the required materials this week for more on this topic.

    **Cause and Effect Research Questions**

    The third and final type of research question that scientists ask is whether or not there is a cause and effect relationship between two variables. In other words, does eating ice cream cause people to commit murder? Does taking a 5 to 10-minute break every hour increase your ability to focus and get the work done? Does vaccine A lead to greater immunity and fewer side effects than vaccine B? With these types of relationships, you have an independent variable that is manipulated or intentionally controlled by the researcher. The researcher must have the ability to randomly assign subjects to different levels or conditions of this independent variable (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Also, with experimental or causal research, you will need a dependent variable – where the outcome of the change in the independent variable is measured and assessed. Try to think of some causal questions that would fit here, and be sure to reach out to your professor if you are still unclear as to how this differs from associative and descriptive questions.

    References

    Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2019).
    _Social psychology_(8th ed.). Pearson.

    Cohen, J. (1988).
    _Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences_ (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.

    Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018).
    _Research methods for the behavioral sciences_(6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

    **Assignment/Instructions**

    This week is a broad overview of the different types of research questions that scientists can use. For this assignment, prepare a paper to briefly assess the three different types of research questions that scientists typically ask. Then, provide a research question about a topic of interest that fits within each of these three categories (one descriptive, one associative/correlational, and one causal/experimental question).

    For example, if you want to examine when and where people smoke during the workday at your office, this would be a more descriptive question. You might also want to examine whether or not the frequency of smoke breaks throughout the day impacts employees’ productivity – or their ability to get the job done; this is more of an associative research question. Finally, you might want to determine if there is a causal relationship between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer. Here, you would need to perform carefully controlled experimental research with white mice in a laboratory setting to determine whether or not there is a higher rate of lung cancer among mice exposed to cigarette smoke than those who are not. In case you are curious, if you check the warning labels on cigarette boxes, they used to warn that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. However, with the overwhelming abundance of conclusive scientific evidence based on carefully controlled scientific data, the warning labels now state that smoking
    _causes_ cancer. This is a good reason to quit smoking immediately if you haven’t done so already!

    In your three examples of research questions, be sure to describe the types of conclusions that can be drawn when asking these questions, discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, and where each research question fits within this dichotomy.

    Length: 4-6 pages, not including title and reference pages

    References: Include a minimum of 3 scholarly resources.

    The completed assignment should address all of the assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources, reflect academic expectations and current APA standards.

    **NOTE**

    You will continue to focus on your topic of marital status and happiness. In this assignment, you will develop three types of research questions: Descriptive, Associative, and Causal. You have already developed a causal research question in last week’s assignment, so just use this same question in this assignment. Develop a descriptive and associative research question based on marital status and happiness. Keeping your focus on this same topic will be important so that you can use feedback on each assignment to complete the next assignment.

    **FEED BACK FROM LAST ASSIGNMENT**

    Great work on this assignment. You provide a strong causal research question, correctly identify the independent and dependent variables, and develop corresponding hypotheses.

    One thing you want to answer is: Does research indicate that the ages of 30 to 50 are when marital status is most likely to have the most impact on happiness? If so, then place a citation to indicate that research suggests that this is the case. If you only just think that this is true, then this is not a sufficient reason to exclude older individuals from your study. In fact, excluding them could be considered an ethical violation unless there is research to indicate that your statement is true.

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