Chapter 2: Methods of Psychology Flashcards
Validity
Does the measurement procedure measure what it is intended to measure?
Reliability
A measure is reliable to a degree that it yields similar results each time it is used with a particular subject under a particular set of conditions.
(consistency of a measure)
Operational definition
Defines something in terms of the identifiable and repeatable procedures by which it can be observed or measured.
Face validity
If the measure appears to assess the variable it is supposed to measure. (Subjective)
Criterion validity
Evaluates whether the measure is associated with a concrete behavioural outcome that it should be associated with.
Content validity
Evaluates if a measure captured all parts of a defined construct.
Known-groups paradigm
A way of gathering information for criterion validity:
When a test can discriminate between a group of individuals known to have a particular trait and a group who do not have the trait.
e.g: A group of individuals known to be not depressed should have lower scores on a depression scale than the group known to be depressed
Convergent validity
Evaluates the association between one test with other tests that measure the same.
e. g. Are the scores on the new IQ test related to the scores on existing IQ tests?
- Problematic if there are no well-established tests
Discriminant validity
Tests whether concepts or measurements that aren’t related are actually unrelated.
Content validity
Subjectively evaluates if the measure captures all parts of a defined construct.
e.g: The conceptual definition of intelligence has 7 components, so the operationalization of intelligence should include items to assess each f these 7 components.
Construct validity
The degree to which a test measures what it claims, or purports, to be measuring.
Construct
Any complex psychological concept which is used as a tool to better understand human behaviour.
