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Objective measurement of the independent variable: A neglected methodological aspect in community-based behavioral research

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Abstract

The importance of adequately measuring independent as well as dependent variables in studies evaluating therapeutic services provided to antisocial children is indicated. Data were obtained from a study in which 139 antisocial children were stratified according to age and then randomly placed into 14 groups. The children were randomly assigned to either of 2 treatment strategies or to a control treatment strategy. The effect of the treatments was evaluated by 2 pre-post selfrating scales, by a prepost inventory completed by therapists, and by behavioral observations of both children and their therapists. Measurements of the children's and therapists' behaviors were secured at each weekly 2-hr, meeting for approximately 30 weeks. Very few significant differences occurred between the treatment and control groups on the dependent variables. The findings indicated that independent checks are necessary to insure that therapeutic strategies are actually being implemented, thus providing for an adequate test of their effects on the dependent variables.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for the Study of Youth Development, Boys Town, Nebraska

    Ronald A. Feldman

  2. Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Stephen J. Pedi

  3. School of Social Work, University of Tennessee, 37916, Knoxville, Tennessee

    John S. Wodarski

Authors
  1. John S. Wodarski
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  2. Ronald A. Feldman
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  3. Stephen J. Pedi
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Additional information

Preparation of this manuscript was facilitated through research grant MH18813 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Wodarski, J.S., Feldman, R.A. & Pedi, S.J. Objective measurement of the independent variable: A neglected methodological aspect in community-based behavioral research. J Abnorm Child Psychol 2, 239–244 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00918891

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00918891

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