Chpt 4: Fundamental Research Issues PSY302 Flashcards
Def: validity
the extent to which a conclusion is reasonably accurate or true.
What are the 4 types of validity?
Construct validity
Internal validity
External validity
Statistical validity
Def: construct validity
the measurement or manipulation accurately represents the theoretical variable being studied.
Refers to the accuracy of our operational defs.
Def: internal validity
- the accuracy of conclusion drawn abt cause & effect
- the ability to draw conclusions abt causal relationships from the results of a study.
Def: external validity
- Findings can accurately be generalized to other populations & settings
- the extent to which a study’s result can be generalized to other populations & settings.
Def: statistical validity
the accuracy of statistical conclusions drawn from the results of a research investigation.
Def: a variable
something that changes. Anything that varies & can be measured.
It can be abt behavior, thought, feelings, situations, characteristics, or events.
Any variable must have 2(+) levels or values.
Def: operational definition
The set of procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable
Developing an operational def _______ scientists to_______ abstract concepts in concrete terms.
forces, discuss
2 benefits of operationally defining a variable
Making an operational def of a certain variable forces scientists to discuss abstract concepts in concrete terms.
The defs can help researchers communicate their ideas with others
Def: positive linear relationship
increases in the 1st variable are accompanied by increases in the 2nd variable.
Def: negative linear relationship
increases in the 1st variable are accompanied by decreases in the 2nd.
Def: curvilinear relationship
changes in the 1st variables are accompanied by systematic increases & decreases in another.
Def: no relationship
Increases in one variable aren’t associated with any particular changes in the 2nd variable; a flat line describes the lack of relationship between the 2.
Def: correlation coefficient
A numerical index of the strength of the relationship between variables
Def: non-experimental method
relationships are studied by observing variables of interest.
Def: correlational method
allows us to observe covariation between variables.
Method isn’t ideal when we ask questions abt cause & effect
It can be difficult to tell the direction of cause & effect - which variable affects the other.
Researchers face the 3rd-variable issue: the possibility that one or more extraneous variables exists in the relationship being studied.
Type of non-experimental method
Def: confounding variable
When we know that an uncontrolled 3rd variable is operating, we can call the 3rd variable
Def: experimental method
the researcher manipulates the independent variable & controls all other variables either by randomization or by direct experimental control.
The 2 variables don’t merely vary together, 1 variable is introduced 1st to determine whether it affects the 2nd variable.
Method reduces ambiguity, & thus uncertainty, in the interpretation of results.
Def: IV
- The manipulated variable
- The variable that is considered to be the cause
Def: DV
- The variable that’s measured
- The variable that is the effect
_________ procedures ensure that any _______ between groups are due to the manipulated variable.
Experimental, diffs
Def: experimental control
extraneous variables are controlled, by making sure every feature of the env except the manipulated variable is held constant.
Def: randomization
any variable that cannot be held constant is controlled by making sure that the effects of the variable are random.
There’s 2 issues with making causal statements when the nonexperimental method is used:
It can be challenging to determine the direction of cause & effect
Researchers face the 3rd variable issue.
_________ ensures that an extraneous variable is just as likely to ______ one experimental group as it’s to affect the other.
Randomization, affect
Def: temporal precedence
causal variable should come first in temporal order of events & be followed by the effect.
The experimental method addresses temporal order by first manipulating the IV and then observing whether it has an effect on the DV.
Def: covariation of cause & effect
demonstrated with the experimental method when participants in an experimental condition show the effect, whereas participants in the control don’t show the effect
Eliminat plausible alternative explanations
A researcher manipulates the _____ & measures the resulting change in the ____.
IV, DV
Def: participant variables
are characteristics of individuals, like age, gender, ethnic group, nationality, etc
Def: field experiment
are experiments conducted in a natural setting.
They are more realistic but offer less control
Using _____ methods of studying a phenomenon, both experimental and non-experimental, yields a better __________ of it.
multiple, understanding
