Six Idea Generation Techniques Applicable to Common Sense, Theory, and Literature Searches

1. See if results would generalize to different subjects or settings.

2. Look for moderating variables that would either strengthen, weaken, or reverse the

   relationship between the variables. Asking "When does the opposite occur?" may help

   you think of moderators.

3. See if the effect could be applied to a practical problem.

4. See if you can more precisely state the relationship between the variables.

5. Reconcile contradictions between conflicting studies, theories, or common-sense

   expressions.

6. Examine variables that may mediate the hypothesized or observed relationship--that is,

   even if psychologists have documented a relationship between two behaviors or know

   that putting a person or animal in a certain situation causes a certain response, they may

   have very little evidence about the cognitive or psychological states that mediate the

   relationship. Consequently, you might either seek evidence that the physiological or

   cognitive changes they hypothesize are occurring or you may try to see if, by interfering

   with or intensifying the hypothesized mediating process, you can interfere with or

   intensify that relationship.

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