exam 2 Flashcards
(50 cards)
What is the definition of operational definition?
- definition of a concept that specifies the operation required to manipulate or measure the concept.
- applies to both IV and DV
How would you choose your independent variable levels?
- three or more levels allow you to observe non-linear relationships.
- Conduct pilot studies to choose your levels.
What are things you should watch out for in DV?
- Try to use established measurements
- strive for interval or ration data
- Reliability- extent to which measures of the same phenomenon are consistent and repeatable.
How do you measure reliability?
- Calculate the correlation coefficient
- 1 test-retest reliability
- 2 inter-rater reliability
What is the validity of a measurement?
- the extent to which we are measuring what we want to measure.
How do you measure validity?
- predictive validity- degree to which the measurement predicts future behavior.
- Concurrent validity- degree to which the measurement correlates with an established measure. (use more the 1 type of DV)
If your measure is reliable, is it also valid?
- Not necessarily
If your measure is valid, is it also reliable?
- Yes: if a measure is unreliable, it must automatically be considered invalid.
What is a between subject design?
- Each participant is exposed to only ONE level of the IV
What are the advantages of BS design?
- No carry over effect
2. used for subject variables
What are the disadvantages of BS design?
- possibility of non-equivalent groups
- 2 Solutions- large group size
- random assignment to groups
What is a WS design?
- Each participant is exposed to ALL of the levels of the IV.
What are the advantages of WS design?
- observed effects cannot be due to individual difference.
- Fewer participants required
- More powerful statistics
What are the disadvantages of WS design?
- Cant be used for subject variables
2. Possible carryover effects
What are some solutions to the carryover effect?
- Randomize the order of trials
2. Counter balancing- ordering the presentation of levels so as to minimize or eliminate confounds due to order effect.
What are different examples of counterbalancing?
- Complete counterbalancing- use every possible order of conditions
- Latin Square- a procedure in which each condition appears at every position in the order equally often
When to use a BS design?
- for subject variables
- DV is a permanent change
- when you are especially concerned about participant bias.
Precautions for BS designs?
- random assignment
2. use large number of participants
When should you use a WS design?
- WHen none of the previous factors apply
2. when you measurement is very sensitive to individual differences
Precautions for WS designs?
counterbalance or randomize the order of conditions
What are matched group desings?
- BS design with non-random assignment
2. Uses same statistics as WS design
What are the advantages of MD design?
- decreases likelihood of non-equivalent data
2. greater statistical power
What are the disadvantages of MD?
- Time consuming
What are some important characteristics of experimental design?
- the number of IV
- the number of levels for each IV
- Whether each IV is WS or BS
- scale of measurement of your DV