Chapter 6: Validity in Research Methods

Question 1

Define: validity

Answer 1

an indication of accuracy in terms of the extent to which a research conclusion corresponds with reality

Question 2

Define: Internal Validity

Answer 2

extent to which a study provides evidence of a cause-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables (142)

Question 3

Define: Construct Validity

Answer 3

extent to which the results sup- port the theory behind the research

Question 4

Define: External Validity

Question 5

Define: statistical conclusion validity

Question 6

Define: history

Question 7

Define: maturation

Question 8

Define: testing

Question 9

Define: regression effects

Question 10

Define: selection

Question 11

Define: morality

Question 12

Define: Role demands (demand characteristics)

Question 13

Define: subject bias

Question 14

Define: experimenter bias

Question 15

Define: control

Question 16

Define: randomization

Question 17

Define: matching

Question 18

Define: statistical control

Question 19

Define: replicability

Question 20

What is meant by confounding?

Answer 20

error that occurs when the effects of two variables in an experiment cannot be separated, resulting in a confused interpretation of the results

Question 21

Why is confounding particularly acute in research in which a subject variable is used?

Question 22

Briefly describe the several ways to determine if a test has construct validity.

Question 23

Briefly describe the major threats to internal validity

Question 24

What is the regression effect? When does it arise?

Question 25

What is mortality and when is it a threat to internal validity?

Question 26

Briefly describe two threats to construct validity

Question 27

Briefly describe three threats to external validity

Question 28

What are the two broad categories of bias resulting from the interaction between experimenter and subject?

Question 29

How can demand characteristics be overcome?

Question 30

What is experimenter bias and how can it be overcome?

Question 31

Define subject variable

Answer 31

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)