Booklet 5: Validity Flashcards
What is Internal Validity
Refers to how well a study measures what is sets out to measure
How can Internal Validity be increased
If there is a lot of control over extraneous variables implemented in the procedure
What are extraneous variables
Any other variable that could interfere with the behaviour that is being studied
What are the 5 different types of extraneous variable
- Situation Variables
- Individual Differences
- Researcher Effects
- Demand Characteristics
- Social Desirability
What are Situation Variables
Any factors within the environment that can affect participants behaviour/results
What are examples of Situational Variables
- Noise
- Time of day
- Isolated/Crowded places
- Temperature
What are Individual Differences
Any differences between participants that are not accounted for
What are examples of Individual Differences
- Age
- Gender
- Mood
- Background
- Ethnicity
- IQ
What are Researcher Effects
- If the researcher acts differently to different participants it can influence different behaviours
- They should not give any cues to p’s about what is expected of them that could encourage certain behaviours
What are examples of Researcher Effects
Differences in the way instructions are delivered to p’s
What are Demand Characteristics
- When the participant figures out the aim, so behaves in a way that they think the researcher wants to see
- Unnatural behaviour
What is Social Desirability
When a participant behaves in a way that makes them seem socially desirable and acceptable but this may not be their truthful behaviour
What is External Validity
Refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to factors outside of the research
What is Ecological Validity
Refers to whether the task and/or setting is representable to real life situations and can be generalised to real life situations
What is Population Validity
Refers to whether the sample involved in the study is representative of the wider population of the study
