Chapter 3: Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools for Consumers of Research Flashcards
Variable
An attribute that varies, having at least 2 levels, or values.
Level
One of the possible variations, or values, of a variable.
Constant
An attribute that could potentially vary but that has only one level in the study in question.
Measured variable
A variable in a study whose levels(values) are observed and recorded.
Manipulated variable
A variable in an experiment that a researcher controls, such as by assigning participants to different levels(values)
Construct/Conceptual variable
A variable of interest, stated at and abstract level, usually defined as part of a formal statement of a psychological theory.
Operational definition
The specific way in which a concept of interest is measured or manipulated as a variable in a study.
Operationalise
To turn a conceptual definition of a variable into a specific measured variable or manipulated variable in order to conduct a research study.
Claim
The argument a journalist, researcher, or scientist is trying to make.
Frequency claim
A claim that describes a particular rate or degree of a single variable.
Association claim
A claim about 2 variables, in which the value(level) of one variable is said to vary systematically with the value of another variable.
Correlate
To occur or vary together(covary) systematically, as in the case of 2 variables.
Casual claim
A claim arguing that a specific change in one variable is responsible for influencing the value of another variable.
Validity
The appropriateness of a conclusion or decision.
Construct validity
An indication of how well a variable was measured or manipulated in a study.
