In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly break down one of the highest-yield (and most commonly missed) topics in the entire Psych/Soc section:
→ Experimental vs. Observational research
→ When you can (and CANNOT) conclude causality
→ Cross-sectional vs. longitudinal
→ Cohort vs. case-control vs. case studies
→ Prospective vs. retrospective
→ Validity vs. reliability (internal vs. external + the dartboard analogy)
→ Real AAMC examples (including the cocaine exposure passage)
→ Classic studies: Phineas Gage, H.M., Milgram, Little Albert, Asch, Bobo doll, and more
If you’ve ever picked the “causes” answer choice on an observational study and gotten wrecked, this episode is for you. Skill 3 (reasoning about research design & execution) shows up in EVERY section, but Psych/Soc is where it can make or break your score.
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