Independent and Dependent Variables

Question 1

Aspects of an experiment that vary, things that can take on different values along some dimension

Answer 1

Variables

Question 2

Affects and influences the value of the dependent variable

Answer 2

Independent variables

Question 3

Particular behavior we expect to change because of experimental intervention

Answer 3

Dependent variables

Question 4

If people are anxious, then they will want to affiliate or be with others

Answer 4

Schachter hypothesis

Question 5

It specifies the precise meaning of a variable within an experiment

Answer 5

Operational definition

Question 6

It defines dependent variables which describe what we do to measure the variables

Answer 6

Measured operational definitions

Question 7

We use hypothetical construct or concepts to explain unseen processes postulated to explain observable behavior. These constructs cannot be observed directly

Answer 7

Defining constructs operationally

Question 8

It is equally important when we are working with variables that can be observed more directly

Answer 8

Defining non-construct variables

Question 9

It is important that we know how to define scale of measurement in setting up experiments and formulating operational definitions

Answer 9

Defining scales of measurement

Question 10

The simplest level of measurement

Answer 10

Nominal scale

Question 11

A rank of ordering items

Answer 11

Ordinal scale

Question 12

Measure magnitude or quantitative size using measure with equal intervals between the values

Answer 12

Interval scale

Question 13

The highest level of measurement, which has equal intervals between all values and a true zero point

Answer 13

Ratio scale

Question 14

Relevant to research questions, sampled appropriately, manipulability

Answer 14

Desirable qualities for an independent variable

Question 15

Relevant to research question, reliable, sensitive

Answer 15

Desirable qualities for a dependent variable

Question 16

Consistency, stability, or repeatability of scores

Answer 16

Reliability

Question 17

One way to assess reliability of measurement procedures is to have different observers take measurements of the same responses

Answer 17

Interrater reliability

Question 18

Reliability of measure can also be checked by comparing scores of people who have been measured twice using the same instrument

Answer 18

Test-retest reliability

Question 19

This effect occurs when the first testing session influences the scores from the old session; practice effect

Answer 19

Carryover effect

Question 20

The extent to which different parts of questionnaire or other instruments designed to assess the same variable attain consistent result

Answer 20

Inter-item reliability

Question 21

0.86 and above index

Answer 21

Very easy item difficulty

Question 22

0.71-0.85 index

Answer 22

Easy item difficulty

Question 23

0.30-0.70 index

Answer 23

Moderate item difficulty

Question 24

0.15-0.29 index

Answer 24

Difficult item difficulty

Question 25

0.14 and below index

Answer 25

Very difficult item difficulty

Question 26

0.14 and below index

Answer 26

Very difficult item difficulty

Question 27

Often use multiple choice to ask if they reliably measure the same variable

Answer 27

Internal consistency

Question 28

Often split the test into halves at random and compute coefficient reliability and correlate items measuring on the same variable on the two halves

Answer 28

Split half reliability

Question 29

The most widely used method for evaluating the inter-item reliability considers the correlation of each test item with every other item

Answer 29

Cronbach alpha

Question 30

Single administration of a single form based on the consistency of subject’s responses to all items in the test

Answer 30

Coefficient alpha/Kuder Richardson

Question 31

Same persons are tested with one form on the first occasion and with another equivalent form on the second

Answer 31

Alternate/parallel/equivalent forms reliability

Question 32

Refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure

Answer 32

Validity

Question 33

Validity of operational definitions is least likely to be a problem with variables that can be manipulated and measure directly

Answer 33

Face validity

Question 34

Validity. Depends on whether we are taking a fair sample of the quality we intend to measure

Answer 34

Content validity

Question 35

Validity. The predictive extent to which a scale predicts scores on some criterion measure

Answer 35

Predictive validity

Question 36

Validity. Compares scores on the measuring instrument with an outside criterion

Answer 36

Concurrent validity

Question 37

Validity. Deals with the transition from theory to research application

Answer 37

Construct validity

Question 38

Validity. The test effectiveness in predicting behavior against a standard

Answer 38

Criterion related validity

Question 39

The certainty that the changes in behavior observed

Answer 39

Internal validity

Question 40

Factors that are not the main focus of the experiment and can confound the results if not controlled. Anything that varies or changes the systematic way along with independent variable

Answer 40

Extraneous variables

Question 41

Takes place when the value of an extraneous variable changes systematically across different conditions of an experiment

Answer 41

Confounding

Question 42

Threat. An outside event or occurrence that can produce effects on the dependent variable

Answer 42

History threat

Question 43

Threat. Produced by internal changes in subjects as a function of the passage of time - growing older; hungrier. tiredness (boredom and the like)

Answer 43

Maturation threat

Question 44

Threat. Produced by a previous administration of the same test or other measure (familiarity and practice effect that may improve the performance of the post test-performance improves through practice

Answer 44

Testing threat

Question 45

Threat. Produced by changes in the measuring instrument itself

Answer 45

Instrumentation threat

Question 46

Threat. Occur when subjects are assigned to conditions on the basis of extreme scores on a test (tendency of participants who received extreme scores in the pretest to receive less score on the post test; closer to the mean

Answer 46

Statistical regression threat

Question 47

Threat. Occur when the research does not assign subject randomly to the different conditions of an experiment (choosing biased respondents)

Answer 47

Selection threat

Question 48

Threat. Produced by differences in dropout rates across the conditions of the experiment (dropping out of participants from the group); eg. the experiment is painful, distressing, frightening

Answer 48

Subject mortality threat

Question 49

Threat. Family of threats produced when a selection threat combines with one or more of the other threats to internal validity. (Choosing the experimental and control groups based on scores)

Answer 49

Selection interaction threat

Question 50

Pretest might increase or decrease the respondent’s sensitivity or responsiveness to the experimental variable

Answer 50

Reactive or interaction effect of testing

Question 51

Interaction effects to to the experimental variable; subjects selected are not susceptible to the effects of the experimental variable, the result will not be realizable to the larger group

Answer 51

Selection biases of sampling

Question 52

Subjects are likely to experience cumulative effect

Answer 52

Replication when multiple treatments are applied

Question 53

Exact duplication of an investigation but with a different sample selected from a population

Answer 53

Literal replication

Question 54

Duplication using the same problem and methodology with some alteration

Answer 54

General replication

Question 55

Would preclude to the generalization about the effect of experimental variable upon persons being exposed to it in non-experimental settings

Answer 55

Reactive effects of experimental arrangements

Question 56

Likely to occur whenever multiple treatments are applied to the same respondents, the effects of prior treatments are not erasable

Answer 56

Multiple treatment intereferences