Leads mean clues or pieces of information that aid in the progress of an investigation.
In the context of psychology, "leads" usually refers to pieces of information or clues that suggest a particular hypothesis or direction for further investigation. It can also refer to potential research participants who have expressed interest in participating in a study or who fit certain inclusion criteria.
Here are some examples of how "leads" might be used in psychology:
- A researcher studying the effects of stress on memory might find a lead in a previous study suggesting that stress impairs memory consolidation.
- A therapist working with a client with anxiety might find a lead in the client's childhood experiences that suggest a pattern of overprotectiveness from their parents.
- A researcher conducting a survey study might generate leads by targeting specific demographic groups or online communities that are likely to be interested in the topic.
- A researcher recruiting participants for a clinical trial might receive leads from physicians or other healthcare providers who have patients that meet the study's inclusion criteria.