Chapter 2: Asking & answering research questions Flashcards
3 requirements of a scientific theory
- It is a statement about constructs
- It describes causal relations
- It is general in scope
When is a theory most useful?
When it is more generally applicable (to people, times, cultures)
construct validity
The extent to which the study measured the concept it was designed to measure
Social desirability response bias
Peoples tendency to act in a way that makes them look good
archival measures
measures based on examining traces behavior like organizational or governmental records
performance measures
measures that ask participants to perform a task as well as they can.
physiological measures
measurements based on physiological processes like hart rate or muscle movements
Best way to ensure construct validity?
Use multiple measures
internal validity
extent to which a change in independent variable actually causes a change in the dependent variable
self-report measures
measure based on asking an individual about their thoughts feelings or behavior
- sensitive to social desirability
- can give low construct validity
observational measures
measure based on directly watching and observing peoples behavior
+ often good construct validity
nonexperimental research design
correlational design
- bad internal validity
+ good construct validity
Two points necessary for good internal validity:
Make equivalent groups
Random assignment of the groups
When non experimental design?
- Some variables can not be intentionally varied
- Variables can not be varied because of ethical reasons
- Sometimes natural variation is better
external validity
When the results of the study can be generalized other people, times and settings
disadvantage laboratory research?
- Short time span of the experiment
- the artificial parts of the experiment.
- Other levels of attention
- Special motives.
All of this results in low external validity.
demand characteristics
cues that lead a participant to guess the expectations of researchers and therefore alter their behavior
(Threat to construct validity)
field research
research that takes place outside of the laboratory.
+ good external validity
+ good internal validity
two points necessary for good external validity:
Representative setting & sample
Repeat research with variation on design
replication
conducting a study to reproduce results of prior research
meta-analysis
Summarizing studies results on a particular topic
informed consent
voluntary consent given after a participant is told about what is involved in participation
deception
misleading or not informing participants about particular aspects of a study
(to go against social desirability)
4 goals of a debriefing
- Participant can raise questions which a researcher can address
- Researcher can explain the deception
- discuss the goal and methods of the study and giving educational value
- deal with possible negative effects of the research
