Article summary and statistical concepts
The article “Longitudinal Contribution of Maternal and Paternal Depression to Toddler Behaviors: Interparental Conflict and Later Depression as Mediators” by Sheehan, Rebecca, Michael, Robin, and Stuart tested the effects of paternal depression on toddler behaviors. Previous research suggested that infant behavior is influenced by parental habits and social integration. As a result, the researchers tested the longitudinal effects of parental depression on child behavior (Fisher, Brock, O’Hara, Kopelman, & Stuart, 2015).
Results for previous literature revealed that maternal depression influenced toddlerhood. Thus, the authors analyzed the significance of paternal depression and conflicts using statistical methods. The sample population was collected from a cohort group. As a result, one hundred and ninety-nine couples were selected for the experiment.
Couples must have similar characteristics to belong to a cohort group. Consequently, the researchers coded the sample variables to reflect the inclusion criteria. The statistical methods used for the evaluation include mean values, sum scores, standard deviation, frequency distribution, and t-scores.
The rationale for the identified statistical concept
The statistical concepts used in the article include population, samples, variables, statistical populations, proportions, averages, frequencies, variances, and percentiles. The statistical sample describes the elements, variables, or participants in the experiment. The population describes samples used for the research.
The aim of a research study determines the population members for the experiment. Consequently, sample variability describes the difference between the population sizes. Sampling concepts include random sampling, systematic random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling.
Statistical relevance to counseling research and evaluation
An attempt to identify a single value from a sample population is called measures of central tendency. Program evaluation and counseling research analysts use the technique to describe the central location of different variables. The measures of central tendency include the mean, median, mode, and skewed distributions. Thus, measures of central tendency can compare, predict, estimate, and analyze sample variables. Systematic approaches used in the article include questionnaires, interviews, follow-up studies, and stratified sampling.
The rationale for statistical methods was based on the needs assessment. Thus, the sample population was identified, collected, and analyzed. Psychologists use statistical methods for counseling research and program evaluation. As a result, the appropriateness of each method depends on the test, plan, design, and evaluation procedure.
The article “Longitudinal Contribution of Maternal and Paternal Depression to Toddler Behaviors: Interparental Conflict and Later Depression as Mediators” were evaluated using different statistical concepts.
Evaluation procedures used in counseling research include identification of goals to be assessed, development of an evaluation plan, application of the evaluation plan, and utilization of the findings (Gordon, 2010). Consequently, evaluation methods include “before and after” method, comparison method, and “How do we stand” method. Evaluation techniques used in the article include questionnaires, interviews, and observations.
Ethical, legal, and socio-cultural considerations
Ethical considerations relevant to the statistical analysis and interpretations improve the quality of counseling case studies (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2009). Conflict of interest can be avoided when these considerations are applied in each study. Ethical misconduct includes data fabrication, data falsification, and data stealing. Thus, ethical guidelines for statistical analysis include professionalism, responsibilities to research subjects, and statistical practitioners.
Legal considerations must avoid conflict of interest, research termination, and court injunctions. Consequently, the responses of each participant must be confidential. As a result, research data cannot be sold or used for personal gains. The research participant must not be subjected to hard conditions during the research experiment.
Consequently, participants must sign the consent form before the experiment. However, the research subject can end the experiment without notice for personal reasons. Social considerations include openness, honesty, objectivity, carefulness, respect for intellectual property, confidentiality, responsible analysis, competence, social responsibility, non-discrimination, respect for colleagues, and research subjects.
References
Fisher, S. D., Brock, R. L., O’Hara, M. W., Kopelman, R., & Stuart, S. (2015). Longitudinal contribution of maternal and paternal depression to toddler behaviors: interparental conflict and later depression as mediators. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 1(1), 1-14.
Gordon, W. (2010). Guidance and counseling program development. Web.
Sheperis, C., Young, S., & Daniels, H. (2009). Counseling research: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. USA: New York: Pearson Press.