Data recording, analysis and presentation (methodological issues)

Question 1

definition of representativeness

Answer 1

sample : if the sample is diverse and includes people from different ages, genders, occupations, education levels, etc., it will be more representative of the (target) population

Question 2

definition of generalisability

Answer 2

Result : if the sample used in the research is biased and not very diverse, the results cannot be generalised to everyone in the target population.

the extension of research finding and conclusion to large population

Question 3

different type of reliability

Answer 3

Internal
External
Inter-rater
Test-retest
Split-half

Question 4

definition of internal reliability

Answer 4

The consistency of a measuring device (e.g. Does it work
in a consistent [or standardised, and replicable] way
with all participants?)

Question 5

definition of external reliability

Answer 5

The consistency of a study’s findings (e.g. Would the
same findings be obtained if the study was repeated? Is there a pattern to a study’s findings that has not been distorted by outliers?)

Question 6

definition of split-half method to check reliability

Answer 6

Compare the score from one half of the questions (e.g. even number Qs) to the score for the other half
of the questions (e.g. odd number Qs) to see if participants scored consistently on both halves.

Question 7

definition of test re-test method to check reliability

Answer 7

Giving the participants the same test/measure at a different point in time to check whether their two
scores are consistent

Question 8

defintion of inter- rater reliability

Answer 8

Two or more observers record the behaviour, and then their results are compared to check the level of
agreement in their results (a high correlation between their scores of 0.8 or more would indicate high
inter-rater reliability).

Question 9

types of internal and external validity

Answer 9

Internal
Face
Construct
Concurrent
Criterion

External
Population
Ecological

Question 10

definition of face validity

Answer 10

Whether a test appears (on the face of it) to be measuring what it intends to

Question 11

definition of concurrent validity

Answer 11

Where a test or study measure gives the same results as another test or study that is measuring the same concept

Question 12

definition of criterion validity
(predictive validity + concurrent v)

Answer 12

Refers to how much one test or measure predicts future performance on another test or measure

Question 13

definition of construct validity

Answer 13

Refers to whether a test or study
actually measures the concept it sets out to measure (and extraneous variables are controlled for)

Question 14

defintion of population validity

Answer 14

Refers to the degree to which the
sample used in the research is
representative of a diverse group of
people (of different ages, genders,
occupations, education levels, etc.)

Question 15

defintion of ecological validity

Answer 15

Refers to how accurately a piece of
research reflects real-life situations

Question 16

demand characteristics

Answer 16

Demand characteristics occur when participants work out the aim of the research either because it
is obvious, or as a result of a repeated measures design being used. They may then change their
behaviour and act in the way they think the researcher wants them to act.

Question 17

social desirability

Answer 17

Social desirability refers to when participants change their behaviour to present an image of being a
good member of society or to fit into social norms, rather than showing their true behaviour

Question 18

researcher/observer bias

Answer 18

to the way the researcher collects and interprets the results of a
research. They may interpret behaviour based on their prior expectations and therefore this would lower the validity of the findings.

Question 19

researcher/observer effect(s)

Answer 19

the way that participants’ behaviour is influenced by the
presence (and their characteristics) of the researcher

Question 20

ethical considerations

Answer 20

Respect – informed consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality
Competence (operate within their capability, not giving advice beyond what they are qualified to give)
Responsibility – protection of participant, debrief
Integrity – deception

Question 21

How can you explain how subjectivity affects reliablity and validity

Answer 21

If results are open to interpretation there is a chance that different researchers will interpret the results differently, therefore there will not be consistency in this interpretation (low inter-rater reliability)

There is a chance the interpretation of results is incorrect and you therefore are not getting results that are accurate.