3: Measures Flashcards

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1
Q

operational (or operative) definition

A

The phenomena to
be measured should be defined in terms of the operations
used to measure them. Essential in experimental research*

  • In other words, a behaviour or process (cognitive or physiological) is
    defined by the operations that are carried out in order to measure it

A good operational definition is: Reliable and Reproducible

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2
Q

ostensive definitions

A

The phenomena to be observed
should be carefully described (textually, graphically,
photographically, etc.) and examples can be given.
Common in observational research (it is the basis of
ethograms and systematic observations)

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3
Q

what are some examples of construct validity?(conventional meaning lost)

A

Bruxism, Alcoholism, PMS, ADHD (sub-types),
aggressiveness/aggression

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4
Q

Scales of measurement when spacing between values is not known

A
  • Nominal scales and ordinal scales
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5
Q

scales of measurement when spacing is known

A

Interval scales and ratio scales

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6
Q

nominal scales

A

a scale that labels variables into distinct classifications and doesn’t involve a quantitative value or order

categories, taxonomies, typologies.
* Examples: Male/female;
Liberal/ Conservative/
Democrat; ADD+H/ADD-H;
extroverted / introverted.
* Types of statements: x is
different from y;
assignment of labels

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7
Q

ordinal scales

A

continuum or spectrum of observations. Ranking within a category is possible; often different names AND certainly different quantities. Absolute values are not known.
* Examples: Low, moderate,
high self-esteem; Ranking
of a race.
* Types of statements: x is
greater than y; assignment
of values

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8
Q

interval scales

A

has no absolute zero point, i.e., arbitrary.
* In an interval scale, you
have a constant unit and it
satisfies the condition 2-1
= 3-2 = n- (n-1), and here
there is an additive
constant of the form
y=ax+b
(b can be zero or an other
value).
* Common in psychology
and neuroscience: rating
scales, from 0 to 10 (0 does
not mean no liking at all), IQ
scale (0 does not mean no
intelligence).

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9
Q

ratio scales

A

has an absolute zero point (the absence of the quantity can be indicated). Zero means zero, i.e., nothing.
* In a ratio scale, the linear
transformation of values
must follow the form
y=ax (b is zero, in fact,
must be zero). The Kelvin
scale of temperatures
follows this model. In
other words, with a ratio
scale, all the operations of
arithmetic may be
performed, with the
numerical values
representing absolute
values of the terms.
* Common in psychology
and neuroscience: from
no response to n degree
of response. Example:
score on a memory test.

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10
Q

implications of scales of measurement

A
  • Nominal and ordinal data can be analysed with a number of non-parametric statistical analyses.
  • Interval and ratio scales: Analyzed (typically) with parametric statistical analyses.
  • Interval scale: spacing between values is known, BUT:
    • a score of 120 is not twice
      as more as a score of 60
      (e.g., two IQ scores).
  • Ratio scale: one value is twice as much as another or no quantity of that variable can exist, i.e.:
    • a score of 120 is twice as
      more as a score of 60 (e.g.,
      two scores on a memory
      test with 200 items).
  • The four scales represent a hierarchy of information yielded (mnemonic: anagram “NOIR”), from little, to substantial.
  • Nominal: Purely qualitative information.
  • Ordinal: Qualitative with some crude degree of “quantity” (items can be ranked).
  • Interval: Quantitative; we know by “how much” the values differ.
  • Ratio: Quantitative; we know how much of the quantity exists.
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11
Q

basic types of variables

A
  • Independent (“X”): Treatment, condition, intervention, factor (e.g., conditions: methods of teaching). Independent variables have “levels” (e.g., 2 levels, low and high doses). Also called “experimental variable”, “manipulated variable”.
  • Dependent (“Y”): Outcome, response, result, measure (what you measure). The dependent variable is observed and measured.
  • Independent vs. dependent: To identify the variables, ask the question “What is the effect of [IV] on [DV]?”
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12
Q

independent variables- quantitative and qualitative

A
  • Independent variables: manipulated variables (with levels of treatment conditions).
  • Quantitative: Treatments differ in frequency, amount (e.g., dose), degree, etc.
  • Qualitative: Treatments differ in kind
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13
Q

dependent variables- quantitative and qualitative

A
  • Dependent variables: measurable response.
  • Quantitative: Usually the case, e.g., a score or duration.
  • Qualitative: Special procedures needed, e.g., form of treatment.
  • Subject variables / classification or categorization variables / individual-difference variables / grouping variables: not independent variables per se. E.g., sex, age, ethnic background, linguistic background, etc.
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14
Q

Qualitative variables- unordered and ordered

A
  • Qualitative: Represent an attribute and can be assigned a unique category. Used to categorize information.
  • Unordered: Cannot be ranked or ordered; mutually exclusive categories. Example: Dead or alive.
  • Ordered: Categories can be placed in rank order. Example: Very young, young, adult, geriatric
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15
Q

quantitative variables- discrete and continuous

A
  • Quantitative: Values determined by “counting” or numerical measurements.
  • Discrete: Only whole number values. Examples: Number of offspring, number of cells, number of heart attacks.
  • Continuous: Infinite number of whole and fractional values. Example: Body weight (60 kg, 105.9 kg, etc.).
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16
Q

types of independent variables

A

environmental or situational variables

instructional variables

subject, participation, or individual differences variables

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17
Q

environmental or situational variables

A

Variables referring to
the manipulation of the environment, i.e., treatment, tasks, etc

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18
Q

instructional variables

A

Variables referring to what is told to a participant, instructed, or simply suggested. Applies mostly to
human research, but potentially to animal research

19
Q

Subject, participant or individual differences variables (as quasi-IV’s)

A

Of variable importance in idiographic versus nomothetic research.

20
Q

other types of variables

A

controlled, extraneous, confounding or confounded

21
Q

controlled variables

A

Any variable that is controlled or held constant across all treatment conditions of an experiment

22
Q

extraneous variables

A

“Threatening variable” or “obscuring factors”; impact on the dependent variable

23
Q

problems and solutions for extraneous/confounding variables

A

extraneous/confounded variables are a potential source of variability (experimenter-expectancy effects)

Solutions
* Random assignment of participants to treatment conditions.
* Keeping the extraneous variable constant.
* Matching participants on the extraneous variable.
* Building the extraneous variable into the study or “blocking” (creating blocks); The extraneous variable becomes an independent variable like the others.
* Statistical control of the extraneous variable: ANCOVA. The extraneous variable becomes a covariate

23
Q

confounding or confounded variable

A

“confounds”, an extraneous variable (usually unmonitored) that can inadvertently affect another experimental variable

24
Q

threats to inference

A
  • Experimenter-expectancy effects; confirmation bias
  • Demand characteristics: Subject’s own expectancies; can occur in animals
  • Subject-predisposition effects: can occur with animals
  • Cooperative-subject effect: Want to provide data that will support the research hypothesis
  • Screw you effect: Want to sabotage the experiment
  • Evaluation apprehension: Want positive evaluation; hypothesis-independent
  • Faithful subjects: They just do what there are asked to do. Follow instructions, don’t worry about the hypothesis, don’t try to please
  • Placebo effect
25
Q

issues with the concepts of experimental control

A
  • Goal: Control nuisance variables and distortions
  • Techniques:
    • Experimental:
      • Keep the nuisance
        variables constant
      • Assign subjects randomly
        to experimental
        conditions&raquo_space;> random
        assignment
      • Design: include the
        nuisance variable as one
        of the variables
    • Statistical: Statistically
      remove the effects of a
      nuisance variable&raquo_space;>
      analysis of covariance
26
Q

types of control groups

A

Control groups: Do not get the independent variable (manipulation, treatment, etc.) or IV.
* Placebo, Nocebo, Sham
group (e.g., surgery):

Quasi-control groups: Subjects in this group do not get a placebo.
* Sub-type

27
Q

what are placebos

A

(“I shall please”):
Control group that receives a “dummy” treatment (e.g., sugar pill) that is assumed to have a positive effect.

28
Q

what are nocebos

A

Opposite of placebo&raquo_space;> the effect of the IV is worse, not better.

29
Q

what are sham groups

A

e.g surgery
Surgery with no experimental purpose.

30
Q

quasi-control groups sub-type

A

Sub-type: Simulator groups; subjects are asked to act as if they had received the treatment. Useful in double-blind experiments to detect and assess experimenter- expectancy effects*

  • as well as demand characteristics
31
Q

basic techniques of the concept of experimental control

A

single-blind procedures/experiments

double-blind procedures/experiments,

partial-blind procedures/experiments

deception
disguised-experiment technique or unobtrusive experimentation

debriefing

32
Q

what are single-blind procedures/experiments

A

Minimized demand characteristics;
not always possible because of informed consent requirements

32
Q

what are Double-blind procedures/experiments

A

Will reduce both demand
characteristics and experimenter-expectancy effects

33
Q

what are partial-blind procedures/experiments

A

Experimenter is not in the know until just before the treatment is about to be administered. Can minimize experimenter-expectancy effects

33
Q

advanced techniques in the concept of experimental control

A

multiple researchers

experimental-expectancy control groups

unrelated experiment technique

34
Q

what is debriefing

A

Asking the subjects about what they think happened.
Identifies problems with demand characteristics

35
Q

what is the multiple researchers techniques

A

experimenters, observers, handlers, trainers, caretakers; useful if you suspect experimenter effects

36
Q

what is the experimental-expectancy control groups

A

3 groups of researchers are formed:
* Group 1: Led to expect one experimental outcome (e.g., increase in heart rate)
* Group 2: Led to expect an other experimental outcome, typically opposite (e.g., decrease in heart rate)
* Group 3: Led to expect that the treatment will have no effect (e.g., no change in heart rate)

37
Q

what is the unrelated experiment technique

A

Separate the presentation of the IV over the DV. Two
experiments are necessary (within design: subjects do both).
* Experiment 1: Subjects receive the IV
* Experiment 2: Subjects receive the DV

The subjects are told the two experiments are not connected; but they are THE
experiment when combined

38
Q

types of sampling from a population (random or probabilistic sampling)

A
  • Random sampling: The ideal method
  • Simple random sampling
  • Stratified sampling: Random sampling within segments (strata) of the population based on specific characteristics are considered, e.g., age, gender, etc.
  • Cluster sampling: Naturally occurring units of individuals
    (groups) are randomly selected, e.g., children in a day care group, students in this class.
  • Proportionate sampling (to avoid over-representations)
39
Q

types of sampling from a population (non-random or non-probabilistic sampling)

A
  • Haphazard sampling (not true random sampling)* (ex: grabbing fish from a tank)
  • Convenience sampling
  • Volunteer sampling (with humans only; “self-selection”)
  • Systematic sampling: e.g., every kth element is sampled
  • Sequential sampling: Gradual, one at a time
  • Quota sampling: Stratified without randomness, i.e., based on convenience sampling principles (non-random).
  • Purposive/selective sampling: Selection based on pre-
    determined criterion or criteria.
39
Q

random sampling (or selection)

A

Selecting subjects from a
population so all members of the population have the same
chance of being selected for a sample (and all possible
samples have the same chance of being selected)

39
Q

random assignment (or randomization)

A

Using random chance to determine which condition a participant will experience.

Random assignment determines the difference between experimental and quasi-experimental research.