Evaluating research Flashcards

1
Q

accuracy and precision

A

used to evaluate the correctness of measurement and therefore how prone measurements were to error

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

accuracy

A

how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured, not expressed numerically only more/less accurate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

precision

A

how closely a set of measurement values agree with each other but gives no indication of how close the measurements are to the true value

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

types of measurement errors

A

systematic and random

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

systematic errors

A

errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

systematic errors occur due to…

A

environmental factors, observational/researcher error, incorrect measurement instrument calibration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

random errors

A

errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance, they do not occur in a consistent way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

systematic errors affect…

A

accuracy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

random errors affect…

A

precision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

random errors may occur due to…

A

poorly controlled/varying measurement procedures, faulty measurement tools, variations in measurement contexts, environmental differences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

random errors can be reduced by..

A

repeating more measurements, calibrating measurement tools correctly, refining measurement procedures, controlling extraneous variables, increasing sample size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

uncertainty in data

A

the lack of exact knowledge relating to something being measured due to potential sources of variation in knowledge, should be acknowledged by researcher

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

repeatability

A

the exttent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same results when carried our under identical conditions within a short period of time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

reproducibilty

A

the extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same results when repeated under different conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the purpose of repeating a reproducing investigations

A

ensure findings are robust - results remain valid across a variety of conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

validity

A

the extent to which psychological tools and investigations truly support their findings/conclusions (measures what it intends to measures)

17
Q

two types of validity

A

internal ad external

18
Q

internal validity

A

the extent to which an investigation measures or investigates what it claims to

19
Q

researchers should consider the following points if they are to achieve internal validity

A

adequency of measurement tools/procedures, experimental design, sampling and allocation procedures, iv truly affected the dv

20
Q

external validity

A

only considered when internal validity is present, the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to similar individuals in different settings (time/setting)

21
Q

external validity can be improved by…

A

more representative sampling procedure, broad inclusion criteria, using a larger sample size

22
Q

conclusion

A

a statement that summaries the findings of a study, including whether the hypothesis was supported/rejectted OR refers to the final section of a written report or article in psychology that summaries the findings and makes final recommendations for future research

23
Q

things that should be considered when drawing conclusions

A

the extent to which the data supports or rejects the hypothesis, whether further evidence is required and whether there are clear recommendations for further studies

24
Q

what to include when writing a conlusion

A
  1. an overall statement of what the results show with a clear direction reported 2. your answer must refer to all of the data (relevent to each IV condition)
25
implications
the impact the study may have on the population to relevent theory or future research, phrase the implications as 'advice' to tthe general public/population