Chapter 6: Validity in Research Methods Flashcards
Define: validity
an indication of accuracy in terms of the extent to which a research conclusion corresponds with reality
Define: Internal Validity
extent to which a study provides evidence of a cause-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables (142)
Define: Construct Validity
extent to which the results sup- port the theory behind the research
Define: External Validity
Define: statistical conclusion validity
Define: history
Define: maturation
Define: testing
Define: regression effects
Define: selection
Define: morality
Define: Role demands (demand characteristics)
Define: subject bias
Define: experimenter bias
Define: control
Define: randomization
Define: matching
Define: statistical control
Define: replicability
What is meant by confounding?
error that occurs when the effects of two variables in an experiment cannot be separated, resulting in a confused interpretation of the results
Why is confounding particularly acute in research in which a subject variable is used?
Briefly describe the several ways to determine if a test has construct validity.
Briefly describe the major threats to internal validity
What is the regression effect? When does it arise?
What is mortality and when is it a threat to internal validity?
Briefly describe two threats to construct validity
Briefly describe three threats to external validity
What are the two broad categories of bias resulting from the interaction between experimenter and subject?
How can demand characteristics be overcome?
What is experimenter bias and how can it be overcome?
Define subject variable
when partici- pants are selected according to the presence or absence of a condition and not selected simply to have a condition assigned to them. (143)
